Do I Need an Employer Identification Number for My Business?


Steve Bennett
Steve Bennett
Business Formation Expert
Steve runs LLCBuddy, helping entrepreneurs set up their LLCs easily. He offers clear guides, articles, and FAQs to simplify the process. His team keeps everything accurate and current, focusing on state rules, registered agents, and compliance. Steve’s passion for helping businesses grow makes LLCBuddy a go-to resource for starting and managing an LLC.

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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.

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

So, how can you find your Employer Identification Number? The process is relatively straightforward, and there are a few key methods to obtain this important identifier.

One of the most common ways to find your EIN is by checking official documents such as tax returns, bank statements, or any correspondence with the IRS. Your EIN should be clearly listed on these documents, making it easy to locate when needed. If you have filed taxes or created a bank account for your business, you likely have your EIN handy in these records.

If you are unable to locate your EIN through official documents, you can contact the IRS directly for assistance. The IRS has a dedicated helpline for EIN inquiries, where you can speak with a representative who can help retrieve your EIN information. Be prepared to provide relevant details about your business, such as the legal name, address, and type of entity, to facilitate the process.

Another option is to look up your EIN online using the IRS website. The IRS provides an EIN Assistant tool on their website, where you can input the necessary information about your business and receive your EIN instantly. This method is quick, convenient, and ensures that you have access to your EIN whenever you need it.

For businesses that have recently obtained their EIN but may have misplaced the number, it is important to keep the EIN in a secure and easily accessible location. Consider creating a digital file or physical folder specifically for important business documents, including your EIN. This will help you stay organized and prepared for any situation where your EIN is required.

In some cases, businesses may undergo changes that require a new EIN to be issued. For example, if your business structure changes (such as from a sole proprietorship to a corporation) or if there is a change in ownership or partnership, a new EIN may be necessary. In these situations, it is important to promptly apply for a new EIN to ensure compliance with IRS regulations and avoid any potential issues.

Overall, finding your Employer Identification Number is a critical step in establishing and operating a business. By keeping accurate records, utilizing online resources, and reaching out to the IRS when needed, business owners can easily locate their EIN and navigate the various financial and legal responsibilities associated with it. Remember, your EIN is a valuable identifier for your business, so be sure to safeguard this information and keep it readily available for reference.

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.

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