General Information
All businesses, except certain sole proprietors, are required to obtain
a federal tax identification number which is also referred to as an employer
identification number (EIN). Sole proprietors and certain Limited Liability
Companies must have an EIN if they:
If you have any questions regarding the federal tax identification number, contact your local IRS office or:
Internal Revenue Service
1220 SW Third Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
1-800-829-1040
Application for Tax Identification Number
To obtain a Federal Tax Identification Number, you must complete
an SS-4 Form. SS-4 Forms are available at all IRS offices or the IRS will
send you a form if you call
1-800-829-3676. The application is also available on-line at: www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98350,00.html.
SS-4 Forms are often available at local banks.
If your state requires an EIN in order to get a business license, then
you must attach proof to your Form
SS-4.
You may either apply on-line, phone in, fax or mail the form to the IRS. Be sure you include a daytime phone number on the application in case additional information is required.
Apply On-Line, Phone In, Fax or Mail Your SS-4
Application
To apply for your EIN on-line, go to: www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98350,00.html.
A provisional number will be assigned after the form is submitted. A confirmation
letter will mailed two to three weeks after the form is processed confirming
your EIN.
The phone number to call for an EIN is 800-829-4933. You will need a completed SS-4 in hand. The fax number to submit an SS-4 application is 215-516-3990. If you include your own fax number, you will be notified of your EIN by fax within one week. Otherwise, you will be notified by mail and should allow two weeks for a response.
The address for submitting the form by mail is:
Philadelphia IRS Center
Attn: EIN Operation
Philadelphia, PA 19255
You will receive your EIN by mail in four to five weeks.