How to Obtain an EIN Number

Employer identification numbers or EINs are issued by the IRS to businesses for identification on various government and tax documents.

An employer identification number (EIN) is a number assigned to United States businesses for use on numerous government and tax documents. The government requires some businesses obtain and use EINs though it may be advantageous even for those businesses where it is not required. EINs are issued by the Internal Revenue Service via several methods including its preferred online application.

Instructions

1. Determine if obtaining an EIN is required or optional for your business at the IRS' EIN website page. Generally, businesses are required to have an EIN if they have employees or if they are organized as a corporation or partnership. EINs are also required for businesses involved in certain operations including alcohol, tobacco, firearms, trusts, estates, or real estate investment as well as non-profit organizations, farmers' cooperatives, and plan administrators.

   Sole Proprietors without employees are not required to obtain an EIN but often choose to use an EIN to avoid disclosing their social security numbers on tax documents or when providing information clients need to produce IRS 1099 forms.

2. If you prefer to obtain your EIN via phone, fax or mail, go to the IRS' "How to Apply for an EIN" page to obtain information about how to apply. However, the IRS prefers you obtain your EIN via its online application.

3. Go to the "EIN Assistant" page on the IRS website; make sure you have time to complete the application in one session. The system will time out after 15minutes of inactivity and you will have to start over.

4. Click "Begin Application." Click the button next to the type of business for which you are obtaining your EIN then, click "Continue." If you are unsure of the type of business you have, click the names of the various types of businesses listed to access a pop-up window defining each business type.

5. Read and follow the instructions presented on the following screens, clicking "Continue" when you are ready to move on to the next step.

6. Receive your EIN in a letter provided by the IRS in PDF format once you complete the application process. Write down your EIN and put the information in a safe place, print the letter, and save it to your computer.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to print and save the PDF letter with your EIN because the IRS will not issue a duplicate copy.

• When you use your EIN, make sure your name, address, and EIN are correct to avoid processing delays when submitting tax documents, payments, or other correspondence.

References

• IRS: EIN Page
• IRS: How to Apply for EIN
• IRS: EIN Assistant