What is EIN?

Your Federal EIN 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.

Form SS-4

Every taxpayer or a business entity needs a valid EIN and the Employer Identification Number to report the federal excise taxes for their respective business online through an IRS-approved online e-filing service provider. 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.

File only one Form SS-4

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 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.

FAQs

Is EIN mandatory to e-file form 720 federal excise taxes online?

Yes, the Employer Identification Number serves as the sole identification for your business. Therefore, it is mandatory to identify your business and process your tax reports accurately.

No, you cannot use your SSN instead of your EIN. The Social Security Number is given to every individual, unlike the Employer Identification Number is given to identify a business entity. So, you must get an EIN to e-file form 720 online for your business.

Employers, Corporations, Partnerships, Trusts, Estates, Churches, Government agencies, Indian Tribal Entities, certain individuals, and others can apply for an EIN to e-file their form 720 federal excise taxes online to the IRS.

Form SS-4 is the taxpayer application form to obtain a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. You can visit the IRS website About Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov) to download the form and learn more about the form SS-4.

You can download Form SS-4 from the IRS website, print it, fill it and mail it to the IRS address. Or you can apply for Form SS-4 online directly at the IRS website.