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Step 1
Go to the IRS website. At the top of the page there is a gray menu bar. Click on Business. On the left hand side of the next page you will see another menu. Under Businesses Topics, choose Employer ID Numbers. In the middle of the next page you will see the words Employer ID Numbers (EINs), below that is a list of underlined choices. Click on Apply for EIN Online. Look about halfway down the next page for APPLY ONLINE NOW, click on that.
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Step 2
Click Begin Application. On the first page it will ask you what type of business is being established. It also includes all of the descriptions for the types of businesses. Click on the choice that corresponds to your business structure. If you are an individual starting a business for yourself, choose Sole Proprietor. Then click Continue.
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Step 3
Read the descriptions. Make sure you are selecting the correct choice. A sole proprietorship has only one owner and is not incorporated and is not registered as a LLC. This can be for a self-employed person or an independent contractor. Choose Sole Proprietor and then click Continue. On the next page read over the information and if it is correct click Continue.
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Step 4
Decide why you need an EIN. On the next page there is a list of five reasons a sole proprietor may need an EIN. Those choices are: started a new business, hired employees, banking purposes, changed type of organization or purchased active business. Choose the choice that fits your situation and click Continue.
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Step 5
Fill out the information. You will be asked to fill out information about yourself and your business. This information includes your name, social security number and your address. On the third screen labeled Details, it will ask you for your DBA (doing business as) Name. The next screen will ask you about what type of business you are doing. Choose the appropriate answers and click Continue. The next page will ask you more questions about what type of business this is. It asks if it is a hotel, construction, finance, food service, health care, insurance, manufacturing, real estate, rental and leasing, social assistance, transportation, warehousing, wholesale or other. If you choose other, it will ask you more questions to determine what type of business it is.
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Step 6
Choose how to receive your confirmation letter. You have two choices: you can either receive it online or in the mail. Click your choice and press continue. Follow the directions for any other information that is needed.
