When I Apply for an EIN Online, Are Any Entity Types Excluded?

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The Internal Revenue Service assigns Employer Identification Numbers for federal tax administration purposes. Not only that, EINs are used by banking institutions to create new business or nonprofit financial accounts. Local government agencies also require an EIN to obtain vendor’s licenses or file state and local tax returns. For those reasons, many businesses, nonprofit groups or even private citizens may be required to complete an EIN number application.

Do I Need an EIN?

The IRS stipulates several guidelines to determine whether you or your entity will need to complete a tax ID application. Before you apply for an EIN, ask yourself these questions:

• Does my entity have employees?
• Does it operate as a corporation or partnership?
• Am I required to file employment, excise, or alcohol, tobacco and firearms tax returns?
• Does my entity withhold taxes on income other than wages that are paid to a non-resident alien?
• Do I have a Keogh plan?

If you answered “yes” to one or more, you’ll need an EIN. The IRS has additional guidelines mandating private citizens or entities to obtain a tax ID number if they’re involved with certain types of organizations or activities:

• Most types of trusts (excluding certain grantor-owned revocable trusts) and IRAs
• Entities that must file Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Returns
• Estates of deceased individuals
• Real estate mortgage investment conduits
• Nonprofit organizations
• Farmers’ cooperatives
• Plan administrators

Even if you aren’t required to obtain an EIN, keep in mind that the IRS does not exclude anyone from requesting a tax ID number. To apply online, you must already possess an existing EIN, Social Security Number, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and you or your principal business must be located within the United States or its territories.

How to Obtain an EIN Online?

Choose IRS EIN Tax ID Filing Service’s quick and easy method for obtaining an EIN. Apply online for a new or different business EIN number before 3 p.m. Pacific Time and receive your new EIN the same day.

Select Your Entity Type to Apply for a Federal Tax ID Today