If you are a business who meets any of the following conditions below, then you will need to apply and obtain an EIN number. An EIN (employer identification number) is a nine-digit number used by the IRS (internal revenue system) to identify entities for tax purposes.
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If you or your business meets any of the criteria below you will need an EIN number:
- Has employees
- Operates as a partnership or firm
- Files excise, alcohol, tobacco, employment, or firearms tax returns
- Withhold taxes on revenue, besides pay, paid to a foreign alien
- Have a Keogh plan
- Are involved with a trust, IRA, estate, non-profit, real estate mortgage investment conduit, farmers’ cooperative, or plan administrator program
To obtain an EIN number you will need a valid tax ID which is one of the following: a social security number (SSN), an individual taxpayer identification numbers (ITIN), or another EIN belonging to an existing legal entity (which you cannot have unless you have an SSN or an ITIN). You will need one of these to apply for an EIN number. You may apply for your ein online through IRS-EIN-Tax-ID.com with our easy and convenient application available 24 hours a day.
If you do not have a social security number, you will need to first see if you are eligible to obtain one. Once you do so you will need to get one before you can apply for an EIN number. Please note that only noncitizens who have permission to work in the United States from the Department of Homeland Security may obtain a social security number. If you are an immigrant, you are able to apply for an SSN at the same time you apply for your immigrant visa with DHS.
If you discover that you are not eligible there is another option; you may see if you are eligible to complete the ITIN application.
Once you have the proper requirements met, you may apply online at any time!
