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Step 1
Decide if you need to get a business tax identification number. If you hire employees, operate as corporation or partnership, file employment, firearms, tobacco, alcohol or excise tax, take income tax from a nonresident alien, or have a Keogh plan you should obtain a tax identification number. Know that if you work with trusts, estates, real estate investment, non profit organizations, plan administrators or farmer's cooperatives, you're eligible for an Employer Identification Number.
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Step 2
Complete form SS-4 if you want to get a business tax identification number by mail. Enter basic business name and address information in lines 1-6. Provide your business identity information and check the reason you're applying. Write the date your business started and provide employee information. Indicate your main business operations and what product or service you provide.
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Step 3
Send the completed form to: Internal Revenue Service Center; Attn: EIN Operation; Cincinnati, OH 45999. You could also fax your completed Form SS-4 to 859-669-5760.
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Step 4
Apply by phone by calling (800) 829-4933, "Business & Specialty Tax Line." Know that the operation hours run from Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. local time. Use Pacific Time if you're living in Hawaii or Alaska. Provide your business information to the phone representative, and receive your tax identification number over the phone.
Call (215) 516-6999 if you're calling from outside the United States or its territories. -
Step 5
Know that you can apply for a business tax identification number online via the IRS's website (see Resources below). Select the "Apply Online" hyperlink. Click on "Begin Application." Then answer the questions on the pages that come up.
