What is an Employer Identification Number?

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The agency provides a tool called the EIN assistant that operates during business hours, Monday to Friday from 7 AM to 10 PM. The new business owner or another responsible party can submit an application via the website, which will immediately provide you with an EIN upon completion. The IRS provides a free online service that takes you through an interview-style application.

EIN Lookup: Other Businesses

Your Employer Identification Number is a nine-digit number issued by the IRS to identify your business and the type of tax returns you file. You should never use your social security number in its place. Just as you would never want to use the wrong Social Security number when applying for personal loans, you never want to use the wrong EIN when applying for business loans. If you use a law firm or other professional service to incorporate your business, they may take care of this task for you and may or may not charge for that service. Just keep in mind that you applying for an EIN is a simple process for most business owners, and you can do it for free on the IRS website.

EIN lookups are possible for entities you do not own as they are open for public viewing. It’s up to you to know which TIN number you must use for your business’s taxes. Similarly, there are methods to look up the appropriate TIN for your business as well.

Filing for Tax Exempt Status?

Previously https://intuit-payroll.org/d tax returns for your business would be notated with your EIN. You should keep copies of tax returns and the accompanying records for two to three years, or longer depending on the details of your return.

Visit the How To Find Your Employer Identification Number ’s business section to retrieve your EIN. If you’re a sole proprietor, you could use an EIN rather than your Social Security number when sending 1099 forms to any contractors or freelancers you paid. This could be your own name if you run a sole proprietorship.

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The process is free and your number is immediately available to you. Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication.

Any other organization that required you to provide your EIN would keep the number on file as well. The IRS doesn’t provide a public database you can use to look up EIN numbers for your own company or others. However, you can look at your EIN confirmation letter or other places your number may be recorded, including previously filed tax returns or old financing documents.

Find the Best Small Business Loans of 2023

Your EIN isn’t something that you use on a day-to-day basis, so keeping this number top of mind isn’t as easy as remembering your company’s phone number or address. Priyanka Prakash is a writer specializing in small-business finance, credit, law and insurance, helping business owners navigate complicated concepts and decisions. Since earning her law degree from the University of Washington, Priyanka has spent half a decade writing on small-business financial and legal concerns. If you are unable to find your EIN number on any documents or archives of your own, the IRS can help you complete a federal tax ID lookup. The Business and Specialty Tax Line can be reached Monday through Friday from 7 AM Eastern to 7 PM Eastern.

• If you need the number for a legitimate purpose, you should be able to get it from the other company’s accountant.
• The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed and the card’s rates, fees, rewards and other features.
• Some small business lenders require businesses to operate as an LLC, corporation or other legal entity.
• Bronte is currently the Director of Marketing at PaymentCloud, a merchant services provider that offers hard-to-place solutions for business owners across the nation.
• We’ll cover everything you need to know for your business, including how to look up your EIN and common places to find it.

Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. It’s a good idea to print out a copy of the application form (IRS SS-4) before you begin the application process. Work through the application questions so you have all the answers you’ll need. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed and the card’s rates, fees, rewards and other features. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service. Someone in the payroll or accounting department should know the company’s tax ID.

of Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. Remember to check with your state to find out what type of identification number you may need for state purposes. Your state may have requirements for obtaining an identification number separate from your EIN. Once an EIN has been assigned to a business, it becomes the permanent identification number and cannot be cancelled. The EIN will still belong to the business and can be used at a later date, should the need arise. If you determine you do not need the EIN, the IRS can close your business account. Today’s digital landscape means limitless possibilities, and also complex security risks and threats.

• This letter contains your business tax ID and other identifying information for your business.
• Knowing your business tax ID number is important, but with all of the competing attention for a small business owner, you might forget or misplace your tax ID.
• This should be done before you try to secure funding or open any business-related bank accounts and must be done before you can formally bring on any employees.
• All EIN applications must disclose the name and Taxpayer Identification Number of the true principal officer, general partner, grantor, owner or trustor.
• International applicants who operate a business in the U.S. can apply by answering questions from the form over the phone.