How to apply for my ein number

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The Details of Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

the Contents of the Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) page

​​​​​​Specific Business Information

Before starting the registration process with the Georgia Department of Revenue (the Department), you must have specific information about your business, including but not limited to:

• Legal name, location, and mailing address of the business
• EIN/FEIN (if applicable)
• NAICS code
• Name, address, and social security number (SSN) of all managing owners, partners, or officers
• Contact e-mail address

Business Structure

Before registering to pay taxes with the Department, entities such as Corporations, LLCs, and Partnerships doing business in the state should check with the Georgia Secretary of State regarding their registration requirements.

Sole proprietors may register with the Department as an individual for business related taxes.

Employer Identification Number (EIN/FEIN)

Determine if your business will need to apply for an EIN or FEIN with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code

The Department requires NAICS Codes for all Business Registrations. 

You can look up your NAICS code before you begin registration or during the registration process.

Business Tax Type

Entities doing business in Georgia may need to register for one or more tax types in order to obtain the specific identification numbers, permits, and/or licenses required.

Before registering for any tax type, learn more about the differences and requirements for each of the tax types by visiting Tax Registration.

If you own a small business, you’ll likely need to apply for an employer identification number, also known as a business tax ID number, at some point. An employer identification number, or EIN, is a nine-digit number assigned to your company by the IRS, and you use it when filing your business's income tax return or payroll tax return. An EIN also comes in handy when opening a business bank account, applying for a business credit card or applying for a business loan.

If you're looking to get an EIN, the good news is that the application process is easy and free. You can apply online on the IRS' website or by mail or fax. (International applicants also have the option to apply by phone.) You only need some basic bits of info about your business in order to apply.

How to apply for an employer identification number in 3 steps

Ideally, you should apply for an EIN when you first launch your business, but you might also be applying in time for tax season or to submit a business loan application. The application process is free through the IRS, so be wary of companies that charge you to apply for an EIN on your behalf.

Follow these simple instructions to apply for an employer identification number.

1. Determine your eligibility for an EIN

There are two basic requirements that must be met to apply for an employer identification number:

• Your principal business must be located in the U.S. or U.S. territories.

• The person applying must have a valid taxpayer identification number, such as a Social Security number.

Your principal business is determined by identifying the main income-generating activity that you do (e.g., consultant, engineer, doctor, auto repair shop) and your main physical location. Just because you provide services outside of the U.S. doesn’t necessarily mean that you don’t meet the eligibility requirements. As long as your primary business activities are in the U.S., you are eligible to apply for an EIN.

The person who submits the application doesn't need to be the business owner. The applicant can be a partner or officer of the company. The IRS allows any "responsible party" to apply, which they define as anyone who manages the company's finances. Another individual, such as a secretary or assistant, can also apply provided that a responsible party signs Form SS-4 and fills out the third-party designee section.

2. Gather the necessary information

You should start by reviewing the PDF version of Form SS-4: Application for Employer Identification Number. That way, you can ensure that you have all the required information ready, such as names, addresses and the Social Security number of the responsible party.

You’ll need to know what type of business entity your company is, and if your business is a corporation, you'll have to put down the state or country where you incorporated. If you have a multi-member LLC, make sure you know the number of members.

Other information you’ll need to complete the application include:

• Primary reason for applying (e.g., launching a business, banking purposes, hiring employees, etc.).

• Date you started or acquired your business.

• Primary industry, along with a description of your primary product or service.

• Highest number and type of employees you expect to employ during the next 12 months.

• First date wages were or will be paid in your business.

• Closing month of your accounting or fiscal year (typically December if you are a calendar-year taxpayer).

• Whether you'd like to file an annual employer tax return instead of a quarterly employer tax return if you pay your employees $4,000 or less in wages in a calendar year. (Consult your accountant for this part of the application.)

By reviewing and filling out Form SS-4, you can make sure you have all the information you need ready to go before you begin the online application process.

3. Apply for an EIN online or by mail or fax

The IRS has a few options to apply for an EIN. You can apply online, by fax or by mail. Applicants who are currently overseas and seeking to immigrate to the U.S. for business purposes can also choose to apply by phone. For all U.S.-based applicants, the online application is the easiest and fastest method.

For the online application, the IRS' online EIN assistant offers an easy step-by-step form. The online application is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST.

The assistant walks you through the application process and provides links to help resources and other information. Keep in mind that you’ll automatically be logged out of the system after 15 minutes for security reasons, and each responsible party is only able to apply for one EIN per business day.

If you use the IRS' online application, you will receive your EIN instantly once you electronically submit your application. Fax applications take four business days to process. Mailed applications take four weeks.

Should you choose to get an EIN via fax or mail, you'll have to send in the completed Form SS-4.

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Why you should apply for an employer identification number

Many small businesses are required to get an EIN for tax purposes. Any business that has employees is required to have an EIN to pay and file payroll taxes for their employees. In addition, businesses that are structured as partnerships, corporations or multi-member LLCs are also required to have an employer identification number to file a business income tax return.

The only types of businesses that don't need an EIN are sole proprietorships with no employees and single-member LLCs with no employees that are taxed as disregarded entities. If you fall into one of these categories, then you can use your Social Security number when filing income taxes instead of an EIN.

Certain specific types of organizational structures also require an EIN. If your organization is defined as any of the following types, you’ll need to apply for an EIN regardless of whether you have employees:

• Trusts, except certain grantor-owned revocable trusts, IRAs and Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Returns.

• Businesses that pay excise, alcohol, tobacco or firearm taxes.

• Businesses with a Keogh plan.

• Estates.

• Real estate mortgage investment conduits.

• Nonprofit organizations.

• Farmers' cooperatives.

• Plan administrators.

Keep in mind that even if the IRS doesn't require you to get an EIN, U.S.-based businesses have the option to apply for one. And getting one comes with several benefits. Having this identifying number allows you to separate your business and personal finances and easily apply for business credit, open a business bank account and work with suppliers without having to use your personal Social Security number.

Will I ever need to change my EIN?

Here are some common situations in which you'll need to apply for a new EIN:

• Your business structure has changed. For example, you'll need a new EIN if you are a sole proprietor and decide to incorporate or take on a partner in your business.

• You are subject to a bankruptcy proceeding.

• You purchase an existing business or inherit a business that you operate as a sole proprietorship.

If you are merely changing the name of your business or opening a new location for your existing business, you generally won’t need to reapply for an employer identification number.

What if I lose my EIN?

If you lose or misplace your EIN, no need to panic or run out and apply for a new one. There are a number of ways to look up your business tax ID:

• Find the computer-generated notice you received when you applied for an EIN.

• If you opened a bank account using the EIN, contact your bank to retrieve it.

• Find your EIN on a previously filed tax return.

• Many business service providers require your EIN when you sign up for services, such as insurance companies, merchant service providers or your tax professional. You could reach out to one of these to see if they can provide it.

• Contact the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line during business hours if you're unable to find your identification number through other methods.

This article originally appeared on JustBusiness, a subsidiary of NerdWallet.