In addition to the SSN or ITIN, people who decide to form a business may choose to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to identify a business entity.
Similar in purpose to the SSN assigned to individuals, EINs are used by employers, sole proprietors, corporations, partnerships, non-profit organizations, and LLC’s. A SSN or ITIN may be used to apply for an EIN.
According to the IRS, you will need an EIN if you answer “Yes” to any of the following questions. If you’re not sure how to answer any of these questions, ask a tax professional.
- Do you have employees?
- Do you operate your business as a corporation or a partnership?
- Do you file any of these tax returns: Employment, Excise, or Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms?
- Do you withhold taxes on income, other than wages, paid to a non-resident alien?
- Do you have a Keogh plan?
- Are you involved with any of the following types of organizations?
- Trusts, except certain grantor-owned revocable trusts, IRAs, Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Returns
- Estates
- Real estate mortgage investment conduits
- Non-profit organizations
- Farmers’ cooperatives
- Plan administrators
