How to Verify Your Business for Squarespace Payments
TL;DR:
- Work out your business type (LLC, sole proprietor, etc.) before starting
- Get your IRS documents ready – Letter 147C or SS-4 confirmation letter
- Enter your business name and tax ID exactly as they appear on IRS documents
- New EINs take up to 14 business days to show up in IRS records
- Double-check your business type selection if verification fails
The verification process for Squarespace Payments requires specific documentation and careful attention to detail. Here's what you need to know to get through it without headaches.
Picking Your Business Type
First, you need to select your business structure from these options:
- Single-member LLC
- Multi-member LLC
- Private partnership
- Sole proprietorship
- Private Corporation
- Nonprofit
If you're not sure which category fits your business, check with a tax advisor. Getting this wrong can cause problems later in the verification process.
Finding Your Business Documents
You'll need official IRS paperwork to verify your business. The two main documents are:
Letter 147C – This confirms your Employer Identification Number (EIN)
SS-4 confirmation letter – Another form that shows your EIN
Don't have copies? Call the IRS Business Specialty Tax Line to request them.
Entering Your Information
This is where most people trip up. Your business name and details must match your IRS documents exactly. That means every letter, space, and punctuation mark needs to be identical.
When entering your business name, include everything that appears above the business address on your IRS document in a single line, separated by spaces.
Examples:
- If Letter 147C shows "ACME INC." – enter exactly that
- If SS-4 shows "ACME LLC THERESA LOPEZ-FITZGERALD SOLE MBR" – enter the full text
Case sensitivity matters too. If the IRS document shows all caps, use all caps.
Dealing with New EINs
Just got your EIN? You might hit a snag. The IRS takes up to two weeks to update their records with new identification numbers.
If your EIN is fresh:
- Upload a copy of your SS-4 or Letter 147C
- Wait 14 business days before trying to verify again
When Things Go Wrong
If you've entered everything correctly but still can't verify:
- Double-check you selected the right business type
- Contact Squarespace Customer Support to adjust your business type if needed
- Call the IRS directly if problems continue
The most common issue is mismatched business types. If you registered as a sole proprietorship but your documents show an LLC, that's your problem right there.
FAQs
What documents do I need for business verification?
You need IRS documents like Letter 147C or SS-4 confirmation letter, plus your legal business name and tax ID exactly as they appear on those documents.
How long should I wait to verify a new EIN?
Wait up to 14 business days after receiving your EIN. New numbers take time to appear in the IRS system.
What if I keep getting EIN or TIN errors?
First, confirm your business type selection matches your documents. If that's correct, contact Squarespace Customer Support or the IRS Business Specialty Tax Line.
Jargon Buster
EIN – Employer Identification Number issued by the IRS to identify your business
IRS – Internal Revenue Service, the US tax collection agency
Letter 147C – Official IRS document that confirms your business's EIN
Wrap-up
Business verification doesn't have to be complicated if you have the right documents and enter information carefully. The key is matching your IRS paperwork exactly – no shortcuts or assumptions. If you run into trouble, both Squarespace support and the IRS can help sort things out.
Need more help with Squarespace? Check out our comprehensive courses and tutorials to master your website.