What Is an EIN?

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You may have read that you need an EIN for your business, and you might be wondering exactly what an EIN is. EIN stands for employee identification number, and it’s a form of federal tax ID that the IRS uses to identify a business for tax purposes.

About Your EIN

An EIN is a 9-digit number, like a social security number, that the IRS uses to identify certain entities for tax reasons. It’s a type of federal tax ID or government tax ID, and it’s formatted like 12-3456789.

To apply for an EIN, you need to fill out an IRS form called Form SS-4. You can obtain a Form SS-4 for free, and fill it out for free, but many people find the process confusing and tedious. IRS EIN Filing Service can help you fill out paperwork for your EIN and file the required documents.

Who Needs a Tax ID?

Federal Tax IDs are required for many different organizations, including:

  • Sole Proprietorships/ Individuals
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships
  • Corporations
  • S-Corporations
  • Trusts
  • Church-Controlled Organizations
  • Estates
  • Non-Profits
  • Some other business entities

Generally, you need a federal tax ID if you plan to:

  • Pay business taxes
  • Pay one or more employees
  • Open a business bank account
  • Start a business line of credit
  • Form a corporation, LLC, or partnership
  • Start a Keogh Plan
  • Bid for a federal government contract

Most businesses that plan to hire employees need to file for an EIN.

IRS EIN Filing Service makes filing for an EIN quick and convenient. We are here to help you every step of the way, as you arrange for the formation of your business.

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