7 Best TIN Verification Tools in the US: 2026 Guide
Verifying taxpayer identification numbers before filing Forms 1099 or W-2 helps businesses avoid IRS penalties and backup withholding requirements. When TIN and name combinations match official records, payments process smoothly, and tax reporting stays compliant.
The challenge is finding a tool that fits how your business actually operates. The IRS provides a free verification system that works well for certain use cases. E-filing platforms bundle TIN checking with tax form submission. Enterprise solutions add features like fraud detection, international coverage, and API integrations for businesses with broader identity verification needs.
We evaluated eight TIN verification platforms to understand what each one does well. Below’s a quick summary and a basic definition followed by a deep dive in each TIN verification tool.
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Key Takeaways: 7 Best TIN Verification Tools in the US
- This ranking assesses seven TIN verification platforms based on IRS data connectivity, processing speed, cost structure, volume handling, compliance features beyond basic tax ID checks, API accessibility, and real-world user feedback from verified review sources.
- Signzy tops the list for organizations expecting their verification needs to expand beyond simple TIN matching. Covers all main US TIN categories with 2-5 minute turnaround, flexible API infrastructure accessing 340+ identity verification functions, and usage-based pricing without recurring fees.
- IRS e-Services is the free government option delivering direct-from-source verification for authorized payers. Supports individual lookups (999 daily cap) and batch files, though weekly maintenance downtime and manual workflows limit usefulness for real-time systems.
- E-filing bundles like Tax1099 and 1099Online combine TIN checking with complete 1099 preparation and submission workflows. Makes sense when your primary goal is annual tax reporting rather than ongoing vendor verification, with costs from $0.69 per form to $499 annual subscriptions.
- Multi-database platforms such as TINCheck layer OFAC screening, death records, and global watchlist checks onto IRS verification. Targets regulated industries where confirming tax IDs isn't sufficient; you also need sanctions compliance and fraud prevention in the same workflow.
- Specialized tools like Middesk and RealSearch serve distinct niches: Middesk treats TIN validation as one component of complete business due diligence with corporate filings and ownership structures, while RealSearch uses private databases for 0.1-second responses versus IRS overnight processing.
What is a TIN verification tool?
A TIN verification tool is a software solution that validates taxpayer identification numbers like SSN or EIN against authoritative government databases to confirm that the TIN and associated name combination match official IRS records. These tools enable businesses to verify the accuracy of tax identification information provided by vendors, contractors, employees, or customers before filing information returns like Forms 1099 or W-2.
By checking TIN and name combinations in real-time or through bulk processing, these verification solutions help organizations avoid costly IRS penalties and prevent backup withholding requirements triggered by CP2100 or CP2100A notices.
What should you look for in a US TIN verification solution?
A reliable TIN verification solution needs direct IRS database access, flexible verification methods, automated compliance workflows, and strong security protections.
The platform should validate taxpayer information accurately while helping you avoid IRS penalties of up to $280 per error and mandatory 24% backup withholding on future payments.
🔗 Direct IRS database connections: The platform should verify TIN and name combinations against official IRS records in real-time. This means you're checking against the same data the IRS uses when processing tax forms. Effective solutions provide both instant verification for individual entries and batch processing for large vendor lists containing thousands of records.
⚙️ Multiple verification methods: Your solution should support different verification approaches depending on your needs: manual entry for quick single checks, bulk file uploads for reviewing entire vendor databases, and API integration for automatic verification during vendor onboarding. This flexibility allows verification to fit naturally into your existing workflows without disrupting operations.
🗄️ Extended database screening: Strong platforms verify TINs while simultaneously checking additional databases, including death records to flag deceased individuals, USPS address validation, and OFAC sanctions lists. This comprehensive screening addresses both tax compliance and broader KYC/AML requirements, particularly valuable for financial institutions and regulated businesses.
📈 Scalable performance: The solution should deliver verification results within seconds for real-time requests, process bulk verifications of thousands of records within 24 hours, and maintain at least 99.9% uptime throughout the year. As your vendor network grows, the platform should handle increased verification volumes without performance degradation.
🔒 Enterprise security standards: Your platform should encrypt all data transmissions, store information in SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certified facilities, support multi-factor authentication, and maintain detailed audit logs of all verification activities. These security measures protect sensitive taxpayer information while documenting your compliance procedures for regulatory reviews.
The right TIN verification solution transforms compliance from a reactive task into a proactive business process, reducing risk while eliminating manual errors and administrative overhead.
9 Best TIN verification solutions in the US, ranked
| Feature | Signzy | IRS e-Services | Tax1099 | TINCheck | 1099Online | Middesk | RealSearch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free to use | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | |
| Direct IRS database | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Real-time verification (<5 min) | ✅ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bulk processing | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| API integration | ✅ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Multi-database screening | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| KYC/KYB capabilities | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| AI fraud detection | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| International coverage | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
#1. Signzy
Global identity verification platform with instant TIN validation
Signzy is an enterprise-grade identity and business verification platform serving 500+ businesses, including 10+ Fortune 30 companies and major financial institutions globally.
The platform offers comprehensive TIN verification APIs that eliminate the 24-48 hour delays of manual IRS processing. With coverage across 180+ countries, 340+ APIs, and no monthly platform fee, only pay-per-successful-call pricing, Signzy combines TIN validation with broader KYC, KYB, and AML screening capabilities.
“Before Signzy, nearly half of our international applicants stalled because their tax IDs wouldn’t validate cleanly. After implementing automated checks, the approval rate for foreign users improved by about 28%, and support tickets related to TIN issues fell sharply.” —Head of Vendor Operations (Global marketplace processing ~50k monthly applications)
The platform is particularly valuable for fintechs, payment processors, and financial services firms requiring comprehensive identity verification beyond basic tax ID checks. Signzy also scales with you, thanks to its modular architecture.
Signzy – Key TIN Verification Features
🌍 Global 180+ country coverage: Complete US TIN verification with 50-state EIN coverage plus business and SSN verification capabilities across 180+ countries, enabling seamless expansion into international markets without switching verification vendors.
⚡ 2-5 minute real-time processing: Instant TIN validation against IRS databases returns comprehensive results, including match status, confidence scores, address verification, and 30+ business data points within minutes.
💳 Pay-per-success pricing model: No monthly platform fees or minimum commitments; charges apply only for successful API calls, making it cost-effective for businesses with fluctuating verification volumes from startups to enterprises.
🤖 AI-powered fraud detection: Advanced machine learning algorithms trained on 200+ risk signals analyze document forensics, detect synthetic identities, flag suspicious patterns, and provide dynamic trust scores for comprehensive risk assessment.
🔗 340+ API ecosystem: Extensive API library covering KYC, KYB, AML screening, bank account verification, vehicle checks, contract management, and transaction monitoring.
#2. IRS e-Services TIN Matching Program
The official free government tool for authorized payers
The IRS e-Services TIN Matching Program is the government's official, no-cost solution for verifying taxpayer identification numbers directly against IRS records. Available exclusively to authorized payers who have filed information returns in the past two years, this tool provides both interactive and bulk verification options.
While completely free, it requires registration, has volume limitations, and involves a manual process that may not suit high-volume or time-sensitive businesses.
IRS e-Services TIN Matching Program – Key TIN Verification Features
🆓 Completely free government service: No subscription fees or per-verification charges. Access the official IRS database at no cost, making it the most budget-friendly option for eligible businesses.
📋 Eligibility requirements: Only available to authorized payers listed in the IRS Payer Account File who have filed Forms 1099-B, 1099-DIV, 1099-INT, 1099-K, 1099-MISC, 1099-OID, or 1099-PATR within the past two tax years.
⏱️ Daily volume limits: Interactive matching is capped at 999 requests per 24-hour period per User ID, with no current limit on bulk file uploads, though processing times may increase during high-traffic periods.
⚠️ Scheduled downtime: Service unavailable Sundays from 12:00 AM to 4:00 PM ET for system maintenance, which may disrupt verification workflows during important filing periods.
#3. Tax1099
All-in-one e-filing platform with integrated TIN verification and AI assistance
Tax1099 is an IRS-authorized e-filing platform that combines comprehensive tax form submission with built-in TIN verification services. Powered by Zenwork, the platform serves over 150,000 businesses and offers seamless integration with popular accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero, and NetSuite.
Tax1099 provides real-time TIN matching and bulk verification options. While the platform offers strong features and competitive pricing, some users have reported occasional bugs and past issues with W-2 submissions to the Social Security Administration.
Tax1099 – Key TIN Verification Features
🤖 AI-powered tax assistance: Zenwork AI Tax Assist provides round-the-clock support, answering tax queries, guiding users through filing processes, and offering real-time help during complex scenarios without requiring human intervention.
📧 Automated W-9 collection and B-notice management: Electronic system automatically requests corrected information from vendors with mismatched TINs, tracks timelines, and manages the entire B-notice workflow to maintain IRS compliance.
🔐 Enterprise security and compliance: SOC 2 certified with two-factor authentication, role-based access controls, complete audit trails, and two years of secured data storage for comprehensive compliance documentation.
#4. TINCheck (by Sovos)
Enterprise-grade verification with global watchlist screening
TINCheck by Sovos is a comprehensive identity verification service that goes beyond basic TIN matching to screen against approximately 20 global databases and watchlists. Part of Sovos' enterprise tax compliance portfolio, TINCheck validates customer and vendor data against the IRS database while simultaneously checking OFAC sanctions lists, the Death Master File, and international compliance databases.
TINCheck is particularly valuable for businesses requiring multi-layered compliance checks beyond simple tax ID validation.
TINCheck – Key TIN Verification Features
🌐 30+ database screening: Verifies TIN/name combinations against IRS records while simultaneously checking OFAC Specially Designated Nationals (SDN), Death Master File, USPS address validation, EU sanctions, UN consolidated lists, and 20+ additional global watchlists in a single query.
💵 Flexible pricing models: Monthly subscription plans starting at $19.95-$24.95 or prepaid plans with volume discounts. Prepaid checks remain valid for one year, providing cost-effective options for businesses with fluctuating verification volumes.
🔄 Unlimited users included: All pricing plans include unlimited user access without additional per-seat charges, enabling entire teams to perform verifications while maintaining centralized oversight and control through the dashboard interface.
#5. 1099Online
Budget-friendly e-filing with straightforward TIN verification
1099Online is for small to mid-sized businesses seeking simplicity and low-cost compliance. The platform follows a three-step filing process with built-in TIN matching that delivers pass/fail results within 24-48 hours.
While it lacks advanced automation and API options compared to platforms like Signzy, its user-friendly interface and competitive pricing make it attractive for businesses prioritizing simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
1099Online – Key TIN Verification Features
📧 Integrated e-delivery options: Password-protected PDF copies of recipient forms delivered via email at no additional charge, eliminating postage costs for businesses whose recipients consent to electronic delivery of tax documents.
📮 Optional print-and-mail service: USPS postal mail service available at $1.90 per form for recipients preferring physical copies, with an additional $1 rush-hour fee for mailing requests during the final 5 days before filing deadlines.
🔄 Free rejection resubmission: No additional platform fees charged for resubmitting forms if the IRS rejects initial returns due to errors, allowing businesses to correct and refile without incurring duplicate filing charges.
#6. Middesk
Comprehensive business verification with EIN/TIN matching
Middesk is a business verification platform specializing in Know Your Business (KYB) workflows with integrated EIN/TIN validation for US entities. The platform provides real-time verification against IRS data with results delivered in seconds, backed by manual review within 5 minutes if automatic matching fails.
The platform uses custom enterprise pricing and is designed for banks, lenders, fintechs, and B2B marketplaces requiring comprehensive due diligence beyond basic tax ID checks.
Middesk – Key TIN Verification Features
⚡ Seconds-to-minutes verification: Automated EIN/TIN matching delivers results within seconds for most queries, with manual review by Middesk's team completing within 5 minutes if the system cannot find an automatic match in databases.
📊 100% US business coverage: Like Signzy, Middesk also maintains a complete database of all registered US businesses with 92% of records refreshed within the last 10 days, ensuring access to current, accurate information for business identity verification and compliance decisions.
#7. RealSearch / EINsearch
Private database offering faster-than-IRS verification
RealSearch (also operating as EINsearch) is a privately-owned verification service by Liberty Data, Inc. that maintains one of the largest commercial TIN/EIN databases in the United States with over 24 million records collected over 17+ years.
Unlike official IRS systems, RealSearch processes bulk verification requests in minutes rather than overnight, with real-time XML calls delivering results in as little as 0.1 seconds. The platform operates independently from IRS systems, offering virtually no downtime and the unique capability to correct wrong TINs or input names.
RealSearch / EINsearch – Key TIN Verification Features
📊 24+ million private database: Proprietary collection of over 20 million EINs and TINs accumulated over 17+ years provides extensive coverage of US businesses, including very small DBA operations that may be difficult to verify elsewhere.
🔧 TIN correction capabilities: Unique feature identifies and suggests corrections for wrong TINs or mismatched input names, with this functionality available for clients participating in bulk TIN matching programs at minimal additional cost.
📤 Minutes-not-overnight processing: Bulk verification files that require overnight processing through IRS systems are completed in minutes against RealSearch's in-house database, dramatically accelerating vendor list validation and compliance reviews.
What makes Signzy a suitable choice for American TIN verification requirements?
Most American businesses start with a straightforward need: verify contractor TINs to file 1099s correctly. But as companies grow, they hit a wall. Their simple TIN tool can't handle the additional identity checks regulators start demanding, and migrating to a new platform means rebuilding everything from scratch.
Signzy takes a different approach by treating TIN verification as one piece of a larger identity infrastructure that businesses can expand into over time, rather than a standalone tool they'll eventually outgrow.
1. Pick the verification checks you actually need, skip the rest
Signzy's API structure lets you turn features on and off like building blocks. If you're a fintech platform that just needs TIN verification for tax reporting, use that. When fraud becomes a problem six months later, add the AI fraud detection module. If you expand into lending and need full KYC compliance, turn on business verification and UBO checks.
The important part is that these aren't separate products requiring new integrations; they're additions to the same system you're already using. Your engineering team doesn't rewrite code every time compliance requirements change.
2. Going international doesn't mean starting over
Signzy verifies US TINs the same way it verifies Canadian business numbers or UK Companies House registrations, under the same system you're already integrated with. The processing time stays consistent (2-5 minutes, whether you're checking a US EIN or a European VAT number), and you're not juggling multiple vendor relationships or trying to standardize data formats across different systems.
It's particularly useful for companies that aren't sure which international markets they'll enter but want infrastructure that won't force them into emergency vendor searches when expansion happens.
3. Start simple, add complexity when you're ready
Signzy's pay-per-call pricing means you can start with basic TIN checks and add layers as your risk profile changes. Maybe you begin by just confirming TINs match IRS records. As transaction volumes grow and you see your first cases of identity fraud, you enable the fraud detection scoring.
"Before Signzy, we'd spend days manually checking EINs through different state databases, sometimes hitting dead ends with private companies that weren't in SEC filings. Signzy has literally changed everything. Our onboarding time has dropped from three days to same-day approvals, and we haven't had a single fraudulent vendor slip through since implementation." — Chief Compliance Officer, Supply Chain Solutions provider (200+ employees)
If you eventually need full KYC for regulatory reasons, sanctions screening, ongoing monitoring, and beneficial ownership, those features are already sitting there waiting. You're not locked into a tier that's either too basic or paying for enterprise features you won't use for two years.
The system grows with you instead of forcing you to switch platforms every time your compliance needs get more sophisticated.
If you're trying to determine whether Signzy’s system makes sense for your needs, book a no-obligation demo here.
FAQ
Can TIN verification tools detect fraudulent or synthetic identities?
Do TIN verification platforms work for international contractors or businesses?
What happens if a TIN verification fails or returns no match?
Is TIN verification legally required before making contractor payments?

Saurin Parikh
Saurin is a Sales & Growth Leader at Signzy with deep expertise in digital onboarding, KYC/KYB, crypto compliance, and RegTech. With over a decade of professional experience across sales, strategy, and operations, he’s known for driving global expansions, building strategic partnerships, and leading cross-functional teams to scale secure, AI-powered fintech infrastructure.

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