What is an EIN Number, and Does Your Small Business Need One?

If you’re a small business owner, you’ve probably heard of an EIN number but may not know what it is or if your business even needs one.

In this article, we will examine what is an EIN number and discuss whether your business needs one in order to stay compliant with the IRS and other legal requirements. Let’s get started!

What is an EIN Number?

An EIN, or employer identification number, is a unique nine-digit number that is solely issued to businesses and organizations by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax filing purposes. This number serves as a secure identifier for your business.

It can be used for a variety of legal tasks such as opening banking accounts, obtaining credit cards and loans, and filing business taxes. The IRS also requires employers to include their EIN on all forms related to employee wages such as 1099s, and other tax information returns.

So it’s important to be aware of the 1099 rules and the importance of filing taxes correctly and to simplify hiring. Obtaining an EIN is quick and easy and you can simply apply online in just a few minutes.

Who Needs an EIN Number?

The Internal Revenue Service requires businesses and organizations to obtain an EIN or federal tax ID number for tax reporting purposes.

However, not all businesses are required to have one. So who needs an EIN number? Here’s a list of business types that may need an EIN in order to stay compliant with the IRS:

• Sole proprietorships: What is a sole proprietor? Entrepreneurs who own their own business without formally creating a separate legal entity such as a corporation or LLC.
• Partnerships: This includes general partnerships, limited liability partnerships (LLPs), and limited partnerships.
• Corporations: Business entities that are legally separate from their owners, such as C-corps, S-corps, and professional corporations.
• Non-profit organizations: A specialized legal business structure created for charitable, religious, or educational purposes.
• Trusts and Estates: Wealthy individuals usually establish complex legal arrangements for tax or estate planning purposes. A trust or estate must obtain an EIN if they pay taxes, have employees, or operate a business.

When does the IRS require an EIN number?

Any business entity needs to understand when it’s necessary to get an EIN in order to accurately report taxes, properly manage its finances, and comply with IRS regulations. Let’s take a look at when the IRS requires an EIN number…

Sole Proprietorship

As a sole proprietor, you don’t need to obtain an EIN unless you have employees, operate your business as a corporation or partnership, file excise tax returns, or withhold taxes on income paid to a non-resident alien. This includes hiring seasonal employees.

Single-Member LLC

Single-member LLCs are not required to obtain an EIN from the IRS, though it’s a good idea to get one if you plan to open a business bank account or hire employees. Make sure to research what is an LLC to determine if it’s the right business entity for your needs.

Multi-Member LLC or Partnerships

Multi-member LLCs and partnerships must obtain an EIN in most cases. The IRS also requires businesses to obtain a new EIN if there has been a change in the composition of the LLC or partnership that affects its federal tax status.

Corporations

All corporations, including S-corporations and C-corporations, must obtain an EIN in order to file taxes and for other business-related activities.

Non-Profit Organizations

Non-profit organizations are required to obtain an EIN in order to file taxes and other legal documents.

Trusts and Estates

A trust or estate must obtain an EIN if they pay taxes, have employees, or operate a business.

Why Can’t I Just Use My Social Security Number?

Social Security numbers are issued to individuals and are not meant to be used for business or commercial purposes, so the IRS requires businesses to obtain a separate employer identification number (EIN).

Using a social security number for business activities could leave you vulnerable to identity theft since your Social Security Number is sensitive private information.

Using a Social Security Number would also make it difficult to accurately report taxes and other financial information related to your business.

An EIN is considered an official identifier and provides a secure way of managing your business’s finances and complying with IRS regulations.

How to Get an Employer Identification Number

Getting an EIN is free, easy, and can be done quickly online. Here are the simple steps needed to get yourself and EIN:

Step 1: Visit the IRS Website

The first step is to visit the IRS website and start the application process by clicking on the “Apply for an Employer ID Number (EIN)” link.

You’ll need to provide basic information about your business, such as its legal name, structure (sole proprietorship, LLC, etc.), address, and the type of business you’re conducting.

Step 2: Verify Your Identity

The IRS will then ask you to verify your identity by providing a valid driver’s license or other government-issued ID.

You can also provide a copy of your Social Security card if you don’t have a valid driver’s license.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Once you’ve provided all of the necessary information and verified your identity, submit your application. The IRS will issue you an EIN within minutes.

Step 4: Recieve your EIN and Open a Business Bank Account

Once the IRS has issued your EIN, you can use it to open a business bank account. This is an important step in setting up your business and managing its finances.

International EIN Applicants

As an international applicant, you may need an EIN in order to open a business bank account or file taxes in the U.S.

The application process is similar to that of domestic applicants, but you may need to provide additional documents such as a passport, visa, or alien registration card.

Benefits of Having an EIN

Having an EIN can provide a range of benefits to businesses and other entities. The following are five key benefits of having an EIN:

• Improved credit rating. An EIN can help to establish a business’s credit ratings, making it easier to get loans and leases.
• Separate identity. Having an EIN allows a business or entity to separate its identity from its owner’s personal taxes.
• Deductible expenses. With an EIN, businesses can take advantage of certain tax deductions, such as employee salaries and business equipment purchase costs.
• Open bank accounts. Many banks will require an EIN in order to open a business account.
• File taxes. An EIN is necessary for filing state and federal taxes each year.

Are there any disadvantages of having an EIN?

While having an Employer Identification Number (EIN) can provide a range of benefits to businesses and other entities, there are also some potential drawbacks.

These include additional administrative costs such as filing fees, the complexity of tracking multiple EINs associated with the entity, and changes made to the company must be reported promptly in order for the EIN to remain valid.

EIN Vs. DUNS Number

It’s important to know what is a DUNS number and how it can be beneficial to a business. An EIN and a DUNS number both provide unique identification numbers to their owners.

However, the two are not interchangeable and serve different purposes as shown in the table below.

EIN	D-U-N-S Number
In order to obtain an EIN, the IRS requires business information from the responsible party, which is usually based on their social security number or existing EIN.	A D-U-N-S Number will be issued by Dun & Bradstreet once multiple sources confirm a business's existence
The number does not necessarily represent a one-to-one relationship with a business, as any business can have multiple numbers.	Numbers are associated with business entities one-to-one
Isn't required for sole proprietorships or other business entities	Can be assigned to business entities including certain sole proprietorships
Changeable, which means that it isn't consistent or persistent over time	Maintains persistence, consistency, and uniqueness over the lifetime of that entity
Tax IDs are for the United States only (other countries have their own tax IDs)	Provides global coverage

Employee Identification Number vs. Federal Tax Identification Number (TIN)

An Employee Identification Number and an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) are different types of unique identification numbers issued by the IRS. Let’s take a look at both in the table below…

Employee Identification Number	Federal Tax Identification Number (TIN)
Employer ID number	General tax ID number
A type of TIN	This term can be used to describe a number other than an EIN, such as an SSN, ITIN, ATIN, and PTIN.
U.S. residents may use it only for filing their business taxes	Can be used in various ways

EIN Vs Federal Employee Identification Number (FEIN)

An EIN and Federal Employee Identification Number (FEIN) are both issued by the IRS and provide unique identification numbers to their owners. Let’s take a look at how they’re different in the table below…

EIN	Federal Employee Identification Number (FEIN)
Used to identify employers and sole proprietors who need to report business income or pay employment taxes	Assigned to corporations that have employees or file an employment tax return.
Used by certain trusts, estates, nonprofits, and other organizations.	Identifies a given business entity for federal tax reporting purposes

Do I need an EIN if I’m self-employed?

Yes, even if you’re not formally creating a business entity such as a corporation or LLC, self-employed individuals, or the “responsible party” as the IRS calls it, may still need an employer identification number (EIN).

The IRS requires all businesses to obtain an EIN in order to accurately report taxes and other financial information related to the business.

It’s also a more secure way of protecting your sensitive personal information since the number is only used for your business activities.

Does a DBA need an EIN?

Yes, if you’re starting a business under a Doing Business As (DBA) name, you are required to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service.

Using a separate EIN helps protect your personal information since the number is associated with your DBA and not with your Social Security Number.

What is a federal employer identification number?

A Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) is a unique nine-digit identification number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

This number is used to identify and track the finances of a business or other entity for tax purposes.

A FEIN is required for many legal transactions, such as filing taxes or opening a business bank account. Having a FEIN also provides businesses with protection from identity theft and fraud.

Do I need an EIN before or after I form my LLC?

Generally, the best time to obtain your EIN and file for tax-exempt status is after you’ve formed your LLC. This way, you have all of the information needed to properly fill out the form and avoid any delays.

After you form your LLC, you can apply for an EIN online or by printing and mailing Form SS-4 to the IRS.

How do I look up my EIN?

Unfortunately, the IRS does not have a public database for looking up EIN numbers. You can find your EIN on the EIN confirmation letter the IRS sent you when your application for the number was approved.

If you do not have this letter, you can also check documents like tax returns or forms filed with the IRS.

If you don’t have access to these documents, you can call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line for assistance in finding your EIN at 800-829-4933.

How do I look up another business’s EIN?

Looking up another business’s EIN doesn’t have to be complicated. You can start by simply asking the company directly for their EIN.

Alternatively, if you are looking for a publicly traded company, check out their SEC filings which often contain the necessary information.

Additionally, inquiring with a credit bureau may also provide insight into the business’s EIN.

Lastly, there are numerous paid EIN databases available so you can quickly and easily look up the requested information.

How do I recover my EIN if I forget or lose it?

It’s important to put your EIN confirmation letter in a safe place to avoid losing your EIN in the first place.

However, if you forget or lose your EIN, the process of recovering it is fairly straightforward. You can find your EIN on forms such as tax returns or other forms you filed with the IRS.

If you don’t have those, give the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line a call and ask them to search for your EIN at 800-829-4933.

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This article, "What is an EIN Number, and Does Your Small Business Need One?" was first published on Small Business Trends