How to Apply for an EIN
APPLY BY EIN Toll-Free
Telephone Service
Taxpayers can obtain an EIN immediately
by calling the Business & Specialty Tax Line
(800-829-4933). The hours of operation are 7:00
a.m. - 10:00 p.m. local time, Monday through
Friday. An assistor takes the information,
assigns the EIN, and provides the number to an
authorized individual over the telephone.
APPLY BY FAX
Taxpayers can FAX the completed Form SS-4 application to their
state FAX number (see Where to File - Business Forms and Filing Addresses),
after ensuring that the Form SS-4 contains all of the required information.
If it is determined that the entity needs a new EIN, one will be assigned
using the appropriate procedures for the entity type. If the taxpayer's fax
number is provided, a fax will be sent back with the EIN within four (4)
business days.
APPLY BY MAIL
The processing timeframe for an EIN application received by mail is
four weeks. Ensure that the Form SS-4 contains all of the required
information. If it is determined that the entity needs a new EIN, one will
be assigned using the appropriate procedures for the entity type and mailed
to the taxpayer.
APPLY BY EIN ONLINE
This Internet EIN (I-EIN) application is another avenue for customers to
apply for and obtain an employer identification number. Once all the
necessary fields are completed on the online form, preliminary validation is
performed and the taxpayer will be alerted to information IRS needs that may
not have been included. An EIN will be issued after the successful
submission of the completed Form SS-4 online. Please note that
not all business entity types may use this method.
Other Important Information
3rd Party Authorization
A 3rd Party designee must fill out the SEC. 6103(c) disclosure
information at the bottom of the Form SS-4. The Form SS-4 must also be
signed by the taxpayer for the 3rd Party designee authorization to be valid.
The Form SS-4 must be mailed or faxed to the appropriate service center. A
3rd Party designee may call for an EIN, however a faxed Form SS-4, with the
taxpayer's signature, is still required. IRS assistors will take the
information over the phone from the 3rd Party designee and ask the 3rd Party
designee to fax the completed Form SS-4 to them (to the IRS assistor's
attention) at an administrative fax number. After receiving the faxed Form
SS-4, the EIN will be assigned and faxed back to the 3rd Party designee, or
given over the phone. The 3rd Party designee's authority terminates at the
time the EIN is assigned and released to the designee.
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