diff --git a/site/src/components/intake/steps/EntityStep.astro b/site/src/components/intake/steps/EntityStep.astro
index 46c2791..25056f1 100644
--- a/site/src/components/intake/steps/EntityStep.astro
+++ b/site/src/components/intake/steps/EntityStep.astro
@@ -65,8 +65,8 @@
   <label class="pw-field">DBA (if different)</label>
   <input type="text" id="pw-dba" class="pw-input" />
 
-  <label class="pw-field">EIN</label>
-  <input type="text" id="pw-ein" class="pw-input" placeholder="12-3456789" />
+  <label class="pw-field">TIN / EIN</label>
+  <input type="text" id="pw-ein" class="pw-input" placeholder="12-3456789 or 123-45-6789" />
 
   <label class="pw-field">FCC Registration Number (FRN)</label>
   <input type="text" id="pw-frn" class="pw-input" placeholder="10-digit (leave blank if applying via this order)" />
@@ -392,12 +392,12 @@
     if (!INPUTS.name.value.trim())       missing.push("your name");
     if (!INPUTS.legal_name.value.trim()) missing.push("carrier legal name");
     if (!INPUTS.entity_structure.value)  missing.push("entity structure");
-    // EIN validation: must be XX-XXXXXXX format if provided, required for filing
+    // TIN/EIN validation: EIN (XX-XXXXXXX) or SSN (XXX-XX-XXXX)
     const ein = INPUTS.ein.value.trim().replace(/[^0-9-]/g, "");
     if (!ein) {
-      missing.push("EIN");
-    } else if (!/^\d{2}-?\d{7}$/.test(ein)) {
-      missing.push("valid EIN (format: 12-3456789)");
+      missing.push("TIN / EIN");
+    } else if (!/^\d{2}-?\d{7}$/.test(ein) && !/^\d{3}-?\d{2}-?\d{4}$/.test(ein)) {
+      missing.push("valid TIN / EIN (format: 12-3456789 or 123-45-6789)");
     }
     // Address — at minimum need state
     if (!INPUTS.street.value.trim()) missing.push("street address");