EIN (Employer Identification Number)

What is Employer Identification Number (EIN)?

Employer Identification Number is a unique documentation number that is allotted to a business entity so that it can easily be identified by the Internal Revenue service (IRS). It is commonly used by employers for the purpose of reporting taxes. The EIN is a unique 9-digit number issued by the IRS and includes information about in which state the corporation is registered. EIN is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number.

Who should apply for Employer Identification Number (EIN)?

The business entities looking to operate in the U.S. must apply for an EIN by phone, online, fax, or by mail. The mass of the company is not required for the IRS, a company with only one employee is as eligible for an EIN as a multinational corporation by IRS.

How to apply for Employer Identification Number (EIN)?

Applying for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a free service offered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The preferred methods to apply for EIN application by customers are by phone, online, fax, or by mail.

  • Apply online

    Once the application is sent, the information is validated during the online session, and an EIN is issued immediately. The online application process is accessible for all entities whose business/office/agency/legal residence (in the case of an individual), is located in the United States or U.S. Territories.

  • Apply by mail

    One can obtain the EIN through mail also. The processing timeframe for an EIN application received by mail is four weeks. Ensure that the Form SS-4 contains all of the required information. The IRS will validate the information and send EIN to taxpayers through mail.

  • Apply by Fax

    Taxpayers can apply for EIN by Fax. Make sure that the Form SS-4 should be filled with proper information and Fax it to appropriate Fax number. IRS will validate your information and Fax back the EIN within 4 business days if taxpayer provides his Fax number.

  • Apply by Telephone

    International applicants may call 267-941-1099 between 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday to Friday to obtain their EIN. The person making the call must be authorized to receive the EIN and answer questions regarding the SS-4 form.

What is the Purpose of an Employer Identification Number (EIN)?

Employer Identification Number (EIN) are issued for the purpose of tax administration and are not intended for participation in any other activities (e.g., tax lien auction or sales, lotteries, etc.). They may also be called federal tax ID numbers. Like social security numbers, they never expire and are never reissued to another business.

What is Form SS-4?

Form SS-4 is a request made to the IRS to assign an EIN to your business. An EIN is a 9-digit number (for example, 12-3456789) assigned to employers, sole proprietors, corporations, partnerships, estates, trusts, certain individuals, and other entities for the purpose of tax filing and reporting entities.

What you need to know before filling Form SS-4?

  • Your business's legal name, its DBA/fictitious name, and address.
  • The legal business entity you'll be forming, such as a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or LLC.
  • Whether your LLC is one-member or multiple-member, if this is the entity you've chosen.
  • Information about your responsible party.
  • An estimate of how many employees you'll have and how much you anticipate paying them each year.

How to apply for EIN online?

Click on Apply online now

How to apply for EIN by Fax?

  • One of the 50 states or the District of Columbia you may Fax to:

    Internal Revenue Service
    Attn: EIN Operation
    Cincinnati, OH 45999
    Fax: 855-641-6935

  • If you have no legal residence, principal office, or principal agency in any state or the District of Columbia (international/U.S. possessions) you may Fax to:

    Internal Revenue Service
    Attn: EIN International Operation
    Cincinnati, OH 45999
    Fax: 855-215-1627 (within the U.S.)
    Fax: 304-707-9471 (outside the U.S.)