How to Get an Employer Identification Number

An Employer Identification Number is a requisite for any business. It is necessary to obtain one of these numbers when you start your own business since it will be required when you need to file your business tax return. All businesses are required to file tax returns, so all businesses will need an Employer Identification Number, whether they are sole proprietorships, partnerships or corporations. If you are starting up a Limited Liability Company, you may not need to obtain an Employer Identification Number, since you may choose to file your business taxes along with your personal tax return, if you are the sole member of your LLC. Other types of LLC will need to file a tax return, for which they will require an Employer Identification Number.

Employer Identification Numbers (or EINs) may also be known as Federal Employer Identification Numbers (or FEINs). They are also sometimes described as a Taxpayer Identification Numbers (or TINs). You can obtain an EIN for your business from the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS will provide you with a unique nine digit number that you will use to identify your business for tax purposes.

In order to request an EIN from the IRS, you will need to provide certain information about your business. You can do this either by filling in and filing the required form, SS-4, or by using the online EIN application service that is provided on the IRS website. This online service makes it as easy as possible for you to apply for your EIN by asking you to provide the replies to a number of interview-style questions and then providing you instantly with an EIN. You will then be able to save or print a copy of your confirmation notice and start using your EIN. The online interview style application is only available on certain days and at certain times.

It is also possible to apply for an EIN over the phone and to obtain your EIN during the call, although as with the online service, the hours are limited. Alternatively, a completed copy of the SS-4 form can be mailed or faxed to the IRS at any time. Fax requests will usually be responded to by fax within four days, while mail applications may tae up to four weeks to process.

No matter which application method you choose, you should be aware that it could still take up to a maximum of two weeks for your new EIN to be recognized by the IRS system and for it to become part of their permanent records. You will need to wait for this to happen before you will be able to file your tax return online or use other electronic services from the IRS. Until your EIN has been permanently recorded, you will also be unable to pass the IRS's matching program for Taxpayer Identification Numbers.

Once you have your EIN, you will be able to use it for various purposes. Businesses may need to provide their EIN when they are opening a business bank account, when they apply for a business license or when they complete a tax return, for example. If you are starting up a new business, then you may want to explore the rest of the Good-Company.info website in order to find our more about the processes that are involved in creating a successful business. You will also find plenty of advice on how you can start your own business and make the right choices when you decide how you want to set up your new business.