An Employer Identification Number, or “EIN” for short, is much like a social security number for your company. It is a 9-digit number represented in the format “## – ####” that is used requested when you open a bank account, fill out a tax form, take out a loan, apply for a credit card, or perform virtually any other business activity that requires filling out a form. It will also be used in any other official dealings with other corporations or LLCs, making this truly be a necessary number to obtain for any LLC – regardless if it has employees or not.

Apply for your EIN

The form required to file for your Employer Identification Number is the IRS Form SS-4, “Application for Employer Identification Number.” This form will ask you for multiple categories of information, including your LLC’s name and address, entity type, reason for application, start date, principal business activity and other related information. If you’re using a 3rd party designee’s help, such as a LLC registration service or lawyer, you’ll have to list their contact information on the SS-4, too.

(Above: An example of what the SS-4 form looks like)

Since obtaining your EIN is so vital to your LLC’s inception, you’ll want to fill out this form immediately, after your Articles of Organization are complete.

• Download the SS-4 form
• Read our SS-4 form walkthrough
  

Where to Go Next: LLC Registration