EIN Validation from IRS

Texas- More than a few residents in my neighborhood claim our HOA is fake. The Board has ignore and dropped the Texas Franchise notice requirements often over 25 years which terminates some rights of the HOA. I called the IRS to get a validation letter on the EIN number for the HOA and was told I could not have that information. I said I have a deeded interest in the association and should have the right to know if other board members have defunct the EIN number. (The association still wants to collect assessments, but refuses to open another checking account for reserves or special assessments. Checking account is styled *.* Homeowners Association) The IRS stated I wasn't allowed to know if the EIN number was active or what (c) type the HOA they filed under. How can this be? Is there any other way to get the number verified? Something is amiss here.

Do your CC&Rs state that the HOA has to have a valid EIN to exist or to collect assessments? They may be breaking the law but that does not make the HOA fake or invalid. Also, I don't believe there is a legal requirement in Texas to have separate bank accounts for special assessments and reserves. It's a good practice but any financial software can keep track of different types of funds without actually having them in separate accounts.

If you are concerned about financials, go to the manager or board and ask to see the records. The IRS is not going to give you information but the HOA is required to.

As others have said, the EIN is essentially the Corporations SSN.
You, member or not, are not authorized to obtain that number from the IRS (you wouldn't want the IRS to provide your SSN to anyone who calls and claims to be a member of your family).

If you really want to know this information, gather support and get yourself elected to the Board. Then volunteer to be treasurer.

I was President for several years and I have a copy of the Bank records as a part of my files. I know the EIN number and checking account number. The IRS website has non-profit files you can scan to see if a Non Profit has sent in their yearly reporting requirements. They are not listed under either file.

Our CCR's do require a separate checking account for both types