Employer Identification Number (EIN or FEIN)

Gregory J. Cook, EA, CPA+ Accredited Tax Advisor Past President Alabama Society of Enrolled Agents Past President Alabama Association of Accountants

Employer ID Numbers (EINs)
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, and is used to identify a business entity. Generally, businesses need an EIN. You may apply for an EIN in various ways, and now you may apply online . You must check with your state to make sure you need a state number or charter.

Do You Need an EIN?

Do You Need a New EIN?

How to Apply for an EIN

How Long Will it Take to Get a Number?

EIN for E-Health Transactions

Understanding Your EIN (PDF)

Misplaced Your EIN?

Note: You may not transfer your EIN if you sell or otherwise transfer your business. The new business owner and operator may not use your EIN.

Change of Ownership or Structure
Generally, businesses need a new EIN when their ownership or structure has changed. Refer to "Do You Need a New EIN?" to determine if this applies to your business.

EIN for Electronic Health Transactions
You may need a National Standard Employer Identifier (NSEI) for your electronic health transactions. Refer to NSEI frequently asked questions for assistance.



Modernized Internet Employer Identification Number - You can file an application for Employer Identification Number online - You will need the following information:


Entity Type (e.g., sole proprietor, partnerships, corporations, Limited Liability Company, estate, withholding agent, household employer, political organization, receivership)
A Limited Liability Company Check
A Reason for Applying
Name (Company Name or First/Middle/Last/Suffix)
Social Security Number (SSN)/Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)/Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Third Party Designee Check ( If the person completing the application is a third party acting on behalf of the taxpayer, we can't provide the 3rd party with the online notice. Therefore, we determine if the person is the actual taxpayer or a 3rd party to determine what actions to take when we assign the EIN. Name of Third Party Designee (if applicable) (First/Middle/Last/Suffix)
"Care Of" Name (Used in the event the taxpayer would like his/her mail addressed to a different person/business, such as a secretary or office manager.)
Physical Location
Street
City
State/US Territory
Zip Code
Phone Number
Mailing Address (if applicable)
Street
City
State/US Territory
Country
Zip Code
Third Party Designee Address (if applicable)
Street
City
State/US Territory
Zip Code
Phone Number
Legal Name
Trade Name (Used by companies who advertise their business name as something different than their legal name.
County where business is located
State where business is located/incorporated
Date Business Started/Acquired or Date of Death
Closing Month of Accounting Year
Principal Business Activity (A business activity represents tangible goods, such as automobiles.)
Principal Service Activity (a service activity represents intangibles, such as consulting.)
Employee Hired Check
Employee Information on employees that receive W2s (rather than 1099s) (if applicable)
Wages Paid Date
Number of Agricultural Employees
Number of Household
Employees (only for certain types)
Number of Other Employees
Employment Tax Liability Information
Number of Members in Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Corporation or Sub Chapter S Check (Corporations have the option to be classified as a regular corporation or a Sub Chapter S corporation (S-Corp). If a company wants to be an S-Corp, they must file a form requesting this classification, which we tell them about if we determine they want to be an S-Corp. This check is used to determine if we need to provide them with the S-Corp information.
Alcohol, tobacco, and firearms check, which is required to determine if the Tax & Trade Bureau (TTB) needs to be notified of the applicant's business being established. If an applicant answers "Yes" to the "Alcohol, tobacco, and firearms" question, the applicant's information is written to a file that is sent to the TTB once a month. This emulates what is currently done in the manual environment whereas an actual copy of the Form SS-4 that the taxpayer submitted is mailed to the TTB.
EIN Confirmation Letter Delivery preference
Survey Question Inputs (Every 25th customer will be offered a survey to provide the IRS with feedback on how they feel about the online application. This data will not identify users and will only be used to enhance the application in future releases.)
Trustee business name/trustee individual name
Type of real estate investment trust (mortgage or equity)