How to Obtain a Business EIN
Every business needs an identification number, and for companies in the United States, this is called an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Think of it as a Social Security Number for your business. This guide explains what an EIN is, why you need one, and how to obtain it in simple steps—even if you have no prior experience.
Understanding the EIN
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number issued by the IRS to identify your business for tax purposes.
Definition: A unique identifier for your business used to file taxes, open bank accounts, and hire employees.
Why It’s Important:
It’s required to open a business bank account.
It’s necessary for filing business taxes.
It is essential if you plan to hire employees.
It protects your personal information by allowing you to use the EIN instead of your Social Security Number.
Simple Steps to Obtain an EIN
Visit the IRS Website:
Head over to the official IRS website and locate the EIN application page.
The process is completely free and done entirely online.
Fill Out the EIN Application:
Complete the application by providing basic information about your business, such as its name, address, and structure.
The form (known as the “SS-4”) is straightforward and designed in plain language.
Submit the Application:
After filling in the details, submit the form online.
In most cases, you’ll receive your EIN immediately upon submission.
Take a screenshot immediately, if anything should happen to your internet connection there is no way to bring this screen back to show your EIN.
Save or print the confirmation for your records. We recommend saving the EIN pdf to have for your records.
Store Your EIN Safely:
Keep a digital or physical copy of your EIN documentation since it’s vital for tax filings and future financial transactions. This is what you will use to open bank accounts, business loans, etc. All future accounts will use this as a form of business SSN.
To help visualize, think of your EIN as a student ID for your business—it uniquely identifies your company in all financial and legal dealings, just as a student ID does for a school student.
For extra support managing your tax documents, consider exploring tools like Tax1099 or Fileforms. They offer automated solutions for managing business tax forms, ensuring accuracy throughout the year.