Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)
IRS makes it mandatory to have a valid EIN, the Employer Identification Number to
report your federal tax returns online. To obtain a valid EIN use this Form SS-4.
An EIN is a nine-digit number (for example, 12-3456789) assigned to employers, sole
proprietors, corporations, partnerships, estates, trusts, certain individuals, and
other entities for tax filing and reporting purposes.
Generally, a sole proprietor should file only one
Form SS-4 and needs only one EIN, regardless of the number of businesses
operated as a sole proprietorship or trade names under which a business operates.
However, if a sole proprietorship incorporates or enters into a partnership, a new
EIN is required. Also, each corporation in an affiliated group must have its own
EIN.
What is New?
- The phone number to use for
Form SS-4 applicants outside of the United States has changed to 1-267-941-1099.
- The ZIP code for EIN Operations at the
Philadelphia Internal Revenue Service Center now includes a ZIP+4 extension. The
revised ZIP code is 19255-0525.
- The Fax-TIN number for EIN Operations
at the Philadelphia Internal Revenue Service Center has changed to 1-267-941-1040
PDF version of this form is available here | Online application is easy and free at IRS website,
check out here
What is EIN?
Your Federal EIN number is used by the IRS to identify you as a tax paying business
entity, and many people think of a Tax ID or EIN Number as their business social
security number. Like a social security number, a Tax ID Number is a unique nine-digit
number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service to business entities (and in some
cases individuals) operating in the United States for the purposes of identification.
Who need it?
In most cases, you need a Tax ID Number under any of the following circumstances:
- Your business is new
- You need to pay business taxes
- You have one or more employees
- You want to start a line of business credit
- You plan to open a business bank account
- You form an LLC, Corporation, or Partnership