It may become easier following enactment of the Plain Writing Act of 2010. Signed into law on October 13, 2010, it requires the IRS to translate its documents into “plain writing” within 1 year. Plain writing means language that is clear, concise, well organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject.
Source: H.R. 946
For an individual, his or her Social Security number; for businesses, fiduciaries, and other non-individual taxpayers, the employer identification number.