Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) is what employers, sole proprietors, corporations, partnerships, estates, trusts, and individuals use to apply for an EIN. The EIN is used for tax filing and reporting.
Form SS-4, officially the Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN), is an Internal Revenue Service form to request an EIN used by the IRS to designate a business identifying number. An EIN is a 9-digit number series assigned to a business for tax filing and reporting purposes. The following may apply for an EIN:
EIN is not an alternative to a Social Security number. It is used for business activities only.
EIN number is offered for Free by IRS. No fees should be paid upon request of an EIN number.
Sole proprietors only need one EIN no matter how many businesses they operate.
In case of a change of address, file Form 882 to report the change to IRS.
Federal taxes on business can be filed and paid electronically.
Applicants who are residing outside the United States of America or its possessions cannot apply for EIN online. They may apply via telephone or other methods listed.
Here are the important details to provide when applying:
Line 1: Legal name of entity
Provide the legal name of the entity as mentioned in any other legal document or card. This information is required.
Line 2: Trade name of business
Provide the name of your business if different from line 1.
Line 3: Name of Executor, administrator, trustee, “care of”
The format should be First Name, Middle Initial, and Last name.
Lines 4a–b: Mailing address
If the address is outside the United States, provide the city, province, or state, postal code, and name of the country. You must not abbreviate any name. Provide the address of executor, trustee, or "care of" person, if correspondence is to be made by others.
Lines 5a–b: Address
Provide your complete address.
Line 6: County and state where principal business is located
Provide the location of your principal business.
Line 7-a,b: Responsible party
Provide the name of the responsible party based on the type of entity.
The "responsible party" of an organization is the person who has a level of control over the funds of the company. He or she controls the direction and disposal of funds and assets.
Line 8a
Select “Yes” or “No” depending on your circumstance. If you select "Yes," specify your LLC member number.
Line 8b
If the entity belongs solely to a couple who decides to treat the company as a disregarded entity, enter "1."
Line 9a: Type of Entity
Select the box that has the exact description for your company type (Sole proprietor, Estate, Partnership, Plan administrator, Corporation, Trust, Personal service corporation, Military or National Guard, State or local government, Church or church-controlled organization, Farmers’ cooperative, Federal government, REMIC, Indian tribal governments/enterprises or other nonprofit organization). If not included in the choices, select others and specify it in the space provided.
Line 10: Reason for applying
Select one reason for applying EIN (started a new business, changed the type of organization, purchased going business, hired employees, created a trust, compliance with IRS withholding regulations, or created a pension plan).
Line 11: Date business started or acquired
Provide the date you started or acquired your business in Month, day, year format.
Line 12: Closing month of accounting year
Provide the closing month of your accounting year.
Line 13: Highest number of employees expected
Provide the highest number of employees expected in the next 12 months. If no employees are expected, write “0” and do not answer line 14.
Line 15
Enter the first date wages or annuities paid in month, day, year format.
Line 16: Principal activity of business
Select the box that gives the most precise description of the principal activity of your business.
Line 17
Enter the major product or service your business provides or sells.
Line 18
Select the appropriate answer according to your EIN status. If you select "Yes," write the previous EIN in the space provided.
You may file SS-4 online by fax or by mail.
You can complete the SS-4 on the IRS’ website through their online portal. Once you submit the application you will have to wait to receive your EIN.
If you choose to file via mail, choose from the following:
If your business address is in the U.S., use this address:
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999
If your business address isn’t in the U.S. or you don’t have a place of business, use this address:
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN International Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999
Once mailed, you can expect to get your EIN back by mail within four weeks.
If you choose to file this form via fax, choose from the following:
If your business address is in the U.S., use this number:
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999
Fax: (855) 641-6935
If your business address isn’t in the U.S. or you don’t have a place of business, use this number:
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.)
Provide your fax number to the IRS. You will receive your EIN via fax within four business days.
You can get a copy of IRS Form SS4 from the official IRS website or any PDF document filler. You can also get a copy of Form SS-4 by calling 1-800-829-4933 (TAX FORM).
The SS4 form is available as a PDF document or as a DOC file.
The purpose of IRS Form SS4 is to provide a record of a business's Employer Identification Number (EIN) and the name under which the business operates.
The Internal Revenue Service, better known as the IRS is tasked with receiving funds from citizens for government programs, such as social security. In order to receive those funds or any other benefits, the IRS must have an accurate record of a citizen's income. When a business is formed, it must apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). An EIN allows the IRS to keep track of all sources of income associated with that company or individual. IRS Form SS4 provides information on how an EIN is obtained and the name under which the business operates so the IRS is able to accurately record transactions.
IRS form ss4, Application for Employer Identification Identification Number, is the form used to apply for an EIN from the IRS. The EIN application using the IRS EIN form may be done by a representative — a responsible party or a responsible party's authorized representative. There are no special restrictions that limit the ability of anyone to file this form on behalf of someone else.
An SS4 application is made when you need to have an Employer Identification Number and you do not already have one. Form SS-4 is most often used by businesses just starting up, but it may also be submitted to obtain a new EIN if the business has been sold or transferred from an existing sole proprietor or LLC which had been assigned an EIN.
On the other hand, employers use IRS Form W9, ??Request for Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and Certification, to request a Taxpayer Identification Number from their employees. Employees use it to provide their Employer with a Taxpayer Identification Number to be used for reporting income on an IRS form 1099.
The EIN application processing time takes about four weeks. It is recommended to wait for more than a month mark before calling the IRS to follow up.
Getting an EIN does not cost anything, however, it can take a few days to receive your EIN by mail. It is a free service by the IRS.
You can get a copy of the IRS form SS4 online at the official IRS website or any online library of legal documents and complete it to the best of your ability.
You need to get an EIN if you want to be able to hire employees, including yourself, and the nature of your business is such that you are classified as a sole proprietor or partnership, or corporation.
If you are not planning on hiring any employees, then you do not need an EIN.
There are several also reasons why you may want or need an EIN even if you don't plan on hiring employees. Perhaps the most practical reason is that many banks require one before they will allow you to open a checking account for your LLC. The IRS also requires all businesses to report their income, even if they do not have any employees, so it is helpful to have an EIN.
You can verify your EIN online by using the IRS EIN Verification System. The IRS EIN Verification System is an online tool that provides information on Employer Identification Numbers (EINs). When you enter an EIN in the system, it will search its records and provide any information that it has pertaining to that EIN.
You can apply for an EIN online via the official IRS website. You must have all the required information to apply.
You can also apply by mail, fax, or in person at your local IRS office.
Applying for an EIN is free.
There are a few things you need to know about the EIN application process before you apply online, walk into your local IRS office, or use the mail-in form SS-4.
First and foremost, an EIN is not the same as a Social Security Number (SSN). You do not need to have an EIN if all you're doing is filing a tax return or applying for a bank account – you only need to apply for an EIN if your business is going to have employees, will operate as a corporation, partnership, LLC or trust, or some other form of business that's required by law to have a taxpayer identification number.
You'll also want to know that the EIN is not your business' replacement for a Social Security Number. You will still use your SSN to pay taxes and interact with the IRS, even if you also have an EIN. Your employees will need their own SSNs as well – and the first time they do anything with the IRS involving money, like filing a tax return, they'll have to use the SSN they've been issued, not their EIN.
That brings us to a third thing you should know. It's a bad idea to apply for an EIN online — especially if you're filing as a sole proprietor or single-member LLC. The IRS website states that applying online "may subject your EIN to public disclosure." That means anyone with internet access would be able to find the number by searching the IRS's database, which could put you at risk for identity theft or other scams.
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 9 digits long. This number has a fixed length of 9 characters. The first two digits are always the 9th and 10th digits of the number assigned to a business. The rest of the EIN is determined by how long it has been since that company was formed. Every three months, the IRS will assign every newly formed or existing business an EIN with a new first two digits.
Yes, EIN is the same as a business tax ID. Business Tax ID or EIN is a federal tax id number that's used to identify a business entity. This identification number is required for legal purposes, such as filing taxes and opening bank accounts. In the US this number must be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in order to comply with applicable laws requiring businesses to identify themselves to the federal government.
A Federal Tax ID Number or also referred to as an Employer Identification Number (EIN) is issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). A Social Security number (SSN) is issued by the Social Security Administration. The SSN is used for tax purposes and other government reporting, but can't be obtained online like an EIN. An EIN is used to identify a business entity. In the US this number must be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service in order to comply with applicable laws requiring businesses to identify themselves to the federal government. Your business may already have an EIN and not need to obtain another one if that's the case then you won't need an SSN.
The only business or organization types that are required to have an EIN are those that are qualified as:
Technically, a business without an EIN cannot operate well. To operate a business, You must get an EIN to hire employees, open up business bank accounts, acquire contracts, apply for business licenses and permits, incorporate your LLC or submit sales tax reports. But unless you have revenue of at least $5 million or expect to have employees in the near future, you can still get by without an EIN number.
An EIN is important to start a business because it functions as the business's identifying number, which is used by businesses to identify themselves in dealings with the government. Also, it is important for EINs to be included on documentation about an individual or business entity that is mailed out because this information is used when applying for loans and other financial aid.
Most sole proprietors, partners, and members of LLCs do not have TINs because their individual income tax identification number is the same as their Social Security Number.
Some of the advantages of having an EIN are:
The advantages of having an EIN are:
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