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Every LLC business owner needs to have a social security number that can allow both the employers and the employees to file the taxes, deal with the payrolls, and many other functions. This unique number assigned to every Limited Liability Company business structure and the employees working under it is known as the EIN or the Employee Identification Number. Every LLC has a need for EIN, which is only issued by the IRS department of the US.
However, you can’t file for the EIN unless the entire LLC business entity registration process is completed and you have the legal document stating the operations, business name, date of formation, and other attributes. Filing for the EIN is definitely easy since you will have the EIN assistant with you. But, before that, you have to understand the requirement of your LLC business and act accordingly.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
When to Get an EIN for an LLC
Once your business corporation is established with all the attributes being mentioned clear in a legal document, all business owners will be able to apply for the EIN. But, before that, you will have to learn when exactly the EIN number is needed.
- If the business corporation has employees working under the parent name, it is essential for all business owners to submit an application for the EIN number since they will have to file the taxes and also check the payrolls.
- If your business corporation is multi-member based, the EIN number is essential since filing the tax returns, and the partnership report is not possible without the nine-digit number.
- If your business corporation is involved with the excising of the taxes on income, the IRS will ask for the EIN number of the notified taxpayer related to your business licenses.
Type of LLC Structures That Need EIN
Even though every LLC business structure will need the EIN, there are certainly exceptional cases where you won’t have to file for the number with IRS. Here, we have discussed when to file and when not to, based on the LLC business corporation type.
Sole Proprietorship LLC
If your LLC business is based on the sole proprietorship structure, you will have to file for the EIN only if you have employees working under the business name. However, if you are the only responsible party of the business, there is no need to file for the EIN. Also, since you will have the sole proprietorship with no other employees working, you won’t have to file the employee pension tax, and hence, there will be no need to file the EIN.
Single-Member LLC
For a single-member LLC, you will have two conditions as a responsible party. If the company has no working employees under the business name, no EIN number is needed, and hence, you won’t have to go through the hectic process of filing the application. But in case your single-member LLC has employees, it is essential to file for the EIN, no matter how many employees you have.
Multi-Member LLC
For the multi-member LLCs, you need to file the EIN number, regardless of the employees working in your company, as a responsible party. Even if there is no working employee, you still need to have the EIN because, whether their multiple members, the tax is calculated based on the individual partnership profit report.
How Does an EIN Benefit an LLC
Truth be told, the EIN number acts as a specialized social security number for every LLC. It not only helps you in filing the taxes all the time but also manages the corporate veil and prevents identity theft. Since it is very important to have the EIN, we have explained here some of the perks of this number.
- Filing the taxes and avoid penalties
All the businesses need to file various forms of taxes, starting with the sales tax, the income tax, the pensioner tax, and so on. Every LLC business will need the EIN number to file these taxes. Without it, you will get tax penalties, which might not be good enough for your business’s growth and tax purposes.
- Protecting your identity
If you had to use the SSN number in your LLC business, high chances of identity theft would have developed. Since a unique number is needed for every financial transaction done by this type of business, you would have to use the SSN number frequently with no security. This is why having the EIN will help you to prevent the SSN number from getting public or, worse, stolen by hackers.
- Allowing you to maintain the corporate veil
A corporate veil is a logical business structure that allows the members of the LLC to protect their personal assets with having no liability to pay off the company’s debts and resolve the lawsuits. To maintain this corporate veil, you will need the EIN number at the earliest for your business entity.
- Open the business bank account
All the organizations need to have a separate bank account that will record all the transactions related to the LLC. With the EIN number in hand, you will be able to open the bank account easily.
- Get further business credits and easy loan approval.
Sometime in the future, you may be needing a loan for which maintaining all types of business credit is essential. EIN will help you to increase the business credit and also acts as a catalyst and speeds up the loan approval against your business accounts.
How to Apply for an EIN
In order to apply for the EIN online application, you need to visit the official website of IRS, where you will get the EIN assistant. With the help of the assistant, you can easily file for the 9-digit ID numbers, and it will be displayed to you once the form is submitted with all the correct details. Try the application by mail or fax the EIN application form with other required documents to the IRS in case you are not in an emergency. For better knowledge, hiring an attorney will help you plan everything related to the EIN forms.
How to Find Employer Identification Number
You can find the Employer Identification Number from computer generated receipts issued by the IRS. You can also search for it through the IRS helpline at 800-829-4933.
First and foremost, it is essential to check any official IRS documents that you may have received when you first registered your business. These documents often contain your EIN, as it is required to complete the application process. If you cannot locate your EIN in your records, you can contact the IRS directly to retrieve this information. By providing some basic details about your business, such as your legal business name and business structure, the IRS should be able to assist you in finding your EIN.
If you have previously filed taxes as a business entity, you can also look for your EIN on past tax returns or other tax-related documents. The Employer Identification Number is usually listed on the top of these forms, making it easier to identify. Additionally, if you have used your EIN for banking or financial purposes, you may find it listed on your bank statements or other financial records.
For businesses that have a physical presence, such as a storefront or office, you can also check any official documentation related to your location. This includes business licenses, permits, or other registration documents that may have your EIN printed on them. By thoroughly reviewing these documents, you can quickly locate your Employer Identification Number without having to go through the hassle of contacting the IRS.
Another helpful method for finding your EIN is to reach out to your accountant or tax advisor. These professionals often assist business owners with tax-related matters and may have your EIN on file. By contacting them with your business information, they should be able to provide you with your Employer Identification Number in a timely manner.
In today’s digital age, many businesses manage their EIN electronically through online portals or accounting software. If you use these tools to manage your business finances, you can log in to your account and retrieve your EIN from the platform. This method is convenient for business owners who prefer to handle important documents electronically and may have misplaced their physical records.
In conclusion, there are multiple methods available for business owners to find their Employer Identification Number without much difficulty. By checking official IRS documents, past tax returns, banking records, business documentation, seeking assistance from professionals, or utilizing online platforms, you can quickly retrieve your EIN and continue to conduct business activities effectively. It is important for business owners to keep their EIN handy for all business-related transactions and comply with IRS regulations to avoid any potential issues in the future.
In Conclusion
Employer Identification Number is an essential thing when you start your business. You may be wondering if your LLC needs to obtain an EIN or not. Yes, it is a mandatory requirement for any LLC to obtain EIN. If you have hired an LLC formation service provider then you do not need to worry about the EIN, they help you with that. But if you haven’t hired anyone yet, then you can apply for EIN by yourself through the IRS portal.