Your legal entity (business) name is the full, legal name given to your business. It’s listed above your business address on your SS-4 form issued by the IRS.
When connecting your bank account to HoneyBook as a Sole Proprietor or LLC-Partnership-Corp., you’ll need to enter your legal entity name exactly as it appears on your SS-4 form. If it is not entered correctly, your details will not be verified and deposits to your bank account will not process.
PLEASE NOTE: If you’re connecting your bank account as an Individual, this article does not apply. You won’t be prompted to enter a legal entity name.
So, you might be wondering–how do I enter my legal entity name to make sure my details are verified? Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Your legal entity name consists of everything listed above your address
On your SS-4 form, your legal entity name consists of everything listed above your address. This means it can span several lines.
In the example above, the legal entity name should be entered in HoneyBook as: ACME INC THERESA LOPEZ-FITZGERALD SOLE MBR
Sometimes, the full legal name can even span three lines.
In the example above, the legal entity name should be entered in HoneyBook as: ACME LLC BIGGER SUPPLIER CO % THEREASA LOPEZ-FITZGERALD SOLE MBR
Capitalization matters
In many cases, your legal entity name will be listed on your SS-4 form in uppercase. Be sure to match this formatting when entering it into HoneyBook.
In the example above, the legal entity name should be entered in HoneyBook as: ACME INC THERESA LOPEZ-FITZGERALD SOLE MBR
Spacing matters
If there are any extra spaces, those should be entered in HoneyBook.
In the example above, the legal entity name should be entered in HoneyBook as: ACME INC THERESA LOPEZ-FITZGERALD MBR
PLEASE NOTE: If your legal entity name spans several lines, you should enter each line break as a space in HoneyBook, as shown in the examples above.
What you enter is used for verification purposes only–it’s not visible to your clients
The legal entity name that you enter into HoneyBook is not visible to your clients–it is used for verification purposes only. It needs to be entered exactly as it appears on your SS-4 form; otherwise, it won’t be matched with what’s on file with the IRS, your details will not be verified, and deposits to your bank account will not process.
If your details aren’t verified, check, delete, and re-enter your information
If your bank and business details were not verified, we'll notify you over email. Check your email for additional details about the failed verification.
If there’s an error with your legal entity (business) name/EIN, here are the next steps to take:
1. Locate your SS-4 form and confirm your legal entity name and EIN.
HoneyBook Tip: If you were not issued an SS-4 form by the IRS and instead use your social security number when filing your taxes, you’ll need to connect your bank account as an Individual instead.
2. In HoneyBook, navigate to your Bank Details section.
3. Delete the Bank account and Business owners sections by mousing over them and clicking the trash can icons.
4. Re-add your business, banking, and business owner details by following the steps outlined in this article.
HoneyBook Tip: Make sure that the legal entity name and EIN that you enter match exactly what’s listed on your SS-4 form.
After you’ve re-added your business, banking, and business owner details, your information will restart the verification process (this often takes just a few minutes!). If anything else is needed, you’ll receive an email notice.
HoneyBook Tip: If clients made payments to you while your details were not verified, these payments should begin automatically processing to your linked bank account right after your details are verified. No other action needed.
Want to learn more?
Still have questions? Feel free to send us a message by clicking the Question Mark icon on any HoneyBook page. Our team is always happy to help!