Employer ID Number (EIN) and SS4 Letter
An EIN is basically your company’s own social security number.
All businesses in the US who has any employee is required to have one.
*For Sole Proprietorship Businesses, as long as they don’t have employees, the owner is not required to get an EIN and is allowed to just use their personal SSN as their Taxpayer ID.
It is assigned by the IRS for tax purposes. EIN numbers must be included on all income tax forms, employment tax reports and payments, and bank account applications for the company.
Application for Employer Identification Number
There are 4 ways to apply:
1. Online: Using the IRS EIN Assistant Process
2. Phone: Call the IRS Business and Specialty tax line at 800-829-4933.
3. Fax or Mail: If your principal business, office or agency, or legal residence in the case of an individual, is located in:
One of the 50 States or the District of Columbia
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999
Fax: (855) 641-6935
If you have no legal residence, principal place of business, or principal office or agency in any state:
Attn: EIN International Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999
Fax: (855) 215-1627 (within the U.S.)
Fax: (304) 707-9471 (outside the U.S.)
*Note:
- The IRS has limited Form SS-4 submission to one per day since 2012.
- Effective May 13, 2019, the IRS requires individuals applying for an EIN to have a Social Security Number or ITIN for the responsible party on the form.
After application, the business owner will get an SS4 Registration Letter (also often referred to as Form SS4) online or via US Mail. This letter should be kept along with other important business documents for records purposes.
**Please take note that choosing the via US Mail option to get the SS4 Registration Letter will take 3 - 8 weeks
In case of lost EIN Assignment Letter or SS4 Letter, you can request a replacement copy by contacting:
IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line
(800) 829-4933
M-F 7 a.m. to 7 p.m (Taxpayer local time)
To Apply Online:
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online
Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility
Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility
- You may apply for an EIN online if your principal business is located in the United States or U.S. Territories.
- The person applying online must have a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (SSN, ITIN, EIN).
- You are limited to one EIN per responsible party per day.
- The “responsible party” is the person who ultimately owns or controls the entity or who exercises ultimate effective control over the entity. Unless the applicant is a government entity, the responsible party must be an individual (i.e., a natural person), not an entity.
Step 2: Understand the Online Application
- You must complete this application in one session, as you will not be able to save and return at a later time.
- Your session will expire after 15 minutes of inactivity, and you will need to start over.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
- After all validations are done you will get your EIN immediately upon completion. You can then download, save, and print your EIN confirmation notice.
Responsible Parties - All EIN applications (mail, fax, electronic) must disclose the name and Taxpayer Identification Number (SSN, ITIN, or EIN) of the true principal officer, general partner, grantor, owner or trustor. This individual or entity, which the IRS will call the "responsible party," controls, manages, or directs the applicant entity and the disposition of its funds and assets. Unless the applicant is a government entity, the responsible party must be an individual (i.e., a natural person), not an entity.