Manual EIN verification

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

A seller has been waiting since October 10th (now October 29th) for manual EIN verification to be completed by Shopify, with $13,100 in payouts currently on hold. Despite contacting live chat/support at least 10 times and sending two emails, they receive only generic responses like “the correct team is handling this” with no timeline, process updates, or specifics about which documents need verification.

Key frustrations:

  • No phone support available
  • Zero transparency about verification status or timeline
  • Funds needed urgently to order special edition books for customers
  • Complete lack of actionable information or reassurance

The issue remains unresolved with no clear path forward for expediting the verification process.

Summarized with AI on October 29. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Is there ANYTHING I can do to fast track getting a manual EIN verification done?

I have been dealing with this since Oct 10th. It’s Oct 29th now.

I’ve talked to live chat/support AT LEAST 10 times during those dates and all I get is “we understand your frustration, we can assure you the correct team is handling this”

They refuse to give me a timeline, they refuse to tell me where in the process my ticket is. They won’t tell me ANYTHING that helps or reassures me.

My first sale did fantastic, but this issue has put my payouts on hold and shopify is currently holding $13,100 of MY money that I need to order the special edition books I am selling and they won’t give me any updates. I don’t even know which part of my documents they need to verify. They won’t tell me anything.

I’ve emailed twice. No response. There’s no phone number to call. This seems completely insane to me to not even receive an update.

I contacted the live chat again today and they also refused to give me anything helpful.

2

UPDATE - we’re now on the day 20 with absolutely no update or help from shopify. What do I need to do for the correct team to actually assist me?

3

Well when they make it so easy and cheap to sign up, and then downsize their workforce, this is what happens. You only have 2 options. You can either keep pursuing Support while waiting or you can find a different platform. No shame in saying screw it I’ll give my money to someone else.