An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, and is used to identify a business entity. Generally, businesses need an EIN. You may apply for an EIN in various ways, and now you may apply online.
The US Internal Revenue Service uses these numbers to:
- Identify businesses located in the United States and its territories
- Recognize a business for purposes of tax documentation
- Identify what business employees filing taxes work for
Do You Need an EIN?
Essentially, any business that has employees needs to obtain one, but depending on such things as the type of tax return you file, you may need one even if you have no employees.
If you can answer "yes" to any of the IRS's questions below, you need to apply for an Employer Identification Number:
- Started a new business
- Hired or will hire employees, including household employees
- Opened a bank account that requires an EIN for banking purposes
- Changed the legal character or ownership of your organization (for example, you incorporate a sole proprietorship or form a partnership)
- Purchased a going business
- Created a trust
- Created a pension plan as a plan administrator
- Are a foreign person and need an EIN to comply with IRS withholding regulations
- Are a withholding agent for taxes on non-wage income paid to an alien (such as an individual, a corporation, or a partnership)
- Are a state or local agency
- Are a federal government unit or agency
- Formed a corporation
- Formed a partnership
- Administer an estate formed as a result of a person's death
- Represent an estate that operates a business after the owner's death.
*checklist last updated July 15, 2016
Apply for EIN Online
The Internet EIN application is the preferred method for customers to apply for and obtain an EIN. Once the application is completed, the information is validated during the online session, and an EIN is issued immediately. The online application process is available for all entities whose principal business, office or agency, or legal residence (in the case of an individual), is located in the United States or U.S. Territories. The principal officer, general partner, grantor, owner, trustor etc. must have a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (Social Security Number, Employer Identification Number, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) in order to use the online application.
Apply for your EIN / Federal Tax ID # here.
