How to Get an EIN Number From the IRS
An Employee Identification Number, or EIN, is a tax identification number issued by the IRS for tax purposes. The EIN essentially behaves like a Social Security number for businesses. It identifies the business entity and allows businesses to file taxes. An EIN can be issued to a business with numerous employees or to a self-employed person with no additional employees. There is no cost to obtain an EIN. You can apply for it by phone, Internet, mail or fax.
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Instructions
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Go to the IRS' website and apply for an EIN through the EIN Assistant. The principal owner of the business or legal representative may apply. Complete the EIN application which requires information about the business name, address and the number of employees. Once you submit the application, you will receive the EIN instantly, as long as your application is submitted between 6 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. EST, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST on Saturdays, or 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Sundays.
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Call the IRS's Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. The phone line is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST. An agent will ask you about the type of business, the type of services or products the business provides, the business address, as well as your name and tax identification number. You will receive your EIN on the phone.
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Request an EIN by mail. Download and print an SS-4 form from the IRS website. The application will ask you question pertaining to the type of business entity, number of employees, address of business and the principal activity. This option takes the longest, up to four weeks. A mail-in form requires a signature by the owner of the business or a legal representative.
You can return an EIN application to:
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999 -
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Fax your EIN application. You will need to download and complete a SS-4 form. Applications can be faxed to 859-669-5760. If you want to receive your EIN by fax, make sure to check this option and include a fax number for the IRS to fax your EIN back to you within four days. Otherwise, you will receive the request by mail which could take a couple weeks.
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