Shop on Forced Vacation Mode

[twinkletaters]

On Thursday last week (4/17), I tried updating my shop tax and legal information with my brand-new LLC documentation and EIN paperwork. Everything I provided I got directly from my Vermont secretary of state and the IRS. All the information I could possibly have as a new LLC... and yet, I had nonstop runaround issues submitting the information. My shop was put on forced vacation mode while things were being reviewed, and I was told several times over that my information I submitted was inadequate and to load more documents, which I did. I loaded EVERYTHING I had (Certificate of Good Standing, which I purchased even though my LLC is brand new, Articles of Organization, DBA/Assumed Name Registration, and EIN paperwork from the IRS), and it still wasn't enough? I almost feel like I've been punished for filing my LLC and trying to do things the right way. 

On Friday afternoon, I was able to get my shop legal and tax info back to individual status, as it was before (just my name and my SSN), and according to the page in my shop manager, my info is verified, green and good to go, but my shop remains in forced vacation mode. I submitted a ticket on Friday afternoon, no response. No response, and no change, all weekend. Still, no response now at noon on Monday. I have multiple support tickets open (#19675628, #19657014, #19646891).

I'm almost afraid to try to re-submit my LLC paperwork again, after whatever is going on with my shop now is finally fixed, and risk screwing my account and shop up even more... which is unfortunate. Having been "offline" since Thursday, my shop has undoubtedly taken a hit on my SEO and listing rankings and I missed out on the holiday weekend sales. If my shop doesn't come back online soon, I'm probably going to lose my long-held Star Seller status as well. It's a good thing this is my side-business right now because otherwise this would be an even worse situation.

Is anyone available to help? I feel like I'm shouting into the void, and no one is listening. 

[twinkletaters]

@ModAngie @ModKenneth please help!

[BagmakerSupply]

@twinkletaters: "... brand-new ... EIN paperwork." One thing to keep in mind is that the automated verification checks are run against official databases and there have been reports that there is commonly a delay of 4 - 6 weeks between IRS issuing a new EIN and updating their public facing database.

[twinkletaters]

Had a feeling there would be a delay with gov databases and I probably tried to do this shop account update too soon... sigh. 

Either way, I reverted back to marking myself as an individual seller and for all intents and purposes in my shop admin, I'm all verified and all set. I even got my account balance automatically deposited to my bank account this morning from Etsy! But, my store remains stuck in vacay mode. I hope a human being that can help sees this!

[WoolSpinEwe]

I have been waiting over three weeks with this issue. Might as well settle in for a long wait. I've called and tried the chat bot and no one seems to care.

[twinkletaters]

@WoolSpinEwe  Oh great... (although I see your shop is open! Good sign, perhaps?!) thanks for the warning. Can you share where you found the phone number and live chat? I cannot find it for the life of me. May as well continue trying every possible avenue.

[WoolSpinEwe]

It's open, but no one can check out, they get told my shop can't take payments.

[WoolSpinEwe]

If you click on Contact Us -> sellers -> finances & billing -> US taxes  and then scroll down to "I still need help" it should give you either a chat option or an option to get a call back. At least, that's what shows up for me. Hope that helps!

[twinkletaters]

Thank you! Sadly, I'm only given the Email Us option.

[WoolSpinEwe]

I'm sorry! I've been a seller for four years, so maybe some seniority gets me the "actually we can't help you" in person help service.

[twinkletaters · Accepted solution]

Update: my shop has been reinstated after I got a reply apologizing for delay in response. I will wait a month or two before I attempt to update my LLC information a second time and hope it goes much smoother next time. 

[LittleGlimmersCo]

Hello! May I ask where did you get the reply from Etsy? I'm experiencing the same issue, but haven't got my shop legal and tax info back to individual status yet coz I'm nervous taking any step further. SO confusing. Thank you!

[ArtDollsbyJD]

@twinkletaters   If you do not have employees then your are considered a disregarded entity by the IRS.  This can have some bearing on the information you are changing.  If you file your taxes as a sole individual then you are a disregarded entity.

IF you did this after receiving the information, it is possible the IRS has not yet registered your EIN completely.  It is best to wait 3 to 4 weeks to make sure all paperwork is completed and online.  Other sellers tried to do this too quickly and faced the same issue.