What does an EIN start with?

The Employer Identification Number -- EIN -- is a tax identification number the IRS issues to private and public businesses, whether they operate for profit or not. EINs start with a two-digit prefix followed by a hyphen and seven more digits.

What does an EIN number look like?

Like a Social Security number, the EIN number is nine digits long and assigned by the federal government. The typical format is XX-XXXXXXX.

What is EIN number format?

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit number that IRS assigns in the following format: XX-XXXXXXX. It is used to identify the tax accounts of em- ployers and certain others who have no employees. However, for employee plans, an alpha (for example, P) or the plan number (e.g., 003) may follow the EIN.

Can an EIN start with 87?

A. Yes. The unique prefixes (20, 26, 27, 45, 46, 47, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, or 88) identify the EIN as a number issued via the internet.

What are the first 2 digits of EIN?

Meaning of EIN's Prefix

Nowadays, the two-digit prefix in an EIN indicates which of those 12 locations issued the federal identification. Before 2001, the first two digits referred to the place where your business was located.

EIN Number and Why You Need One?

Can an EIN start with 9?

On the employer identification number (EIN) side, only EINs beginning with “98” are of concern, as possibly indicating a foreign entity. Other EINs beginning with “9” are perfectly appropriate on Form W-9 since they are issued to U.S. companies, trusts, and estates.

Can an EIN start with 00?

No EINs begin with a zero. The dash is required, according to the IRS. For a direct analogy, an EIN is to a business, what a Social Security Number (SSN) is to an individual taxpayer.

How many digits is an EIN number?

An employer identification number (EIN) is a nine-digit number assigned by the IRS. It's used to identify the tax accounts of employers and certain others who have no employees. The IRS uses the number to identify taxpayers who are required to file various business tax returns.

Can I look up an EIN number?

Ask the IRS to search for your EIN by calling the Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933.

What does an IRS EIN number look like?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) serves as a business's Social Security number. You need it to file business taxes on a business tax form. Like a Social Security number, the EIN number is nine digits long and assigned by the federal government. The typical format is XX-XXXXXXX.

Can I verify an EIN number online?

As such, a nonprofit must provide you the EIN upon request, and you can verify this directly with the IRS on the Exempt Organization page of the IRS website. The site not only verifies EINs but advises you if organizations are in good standing with the IRS.

Can I lookup my EIN online?

If the company is publicly traded, you can search The Securities and Exchange Commission EDGAR online Forms and Filings (SEC) database for the EIN (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.). If the business is a nonprofit you may locate it in the IRS tax exempt organization Search.

Are EIN numbers 8 or 9 digits?

Employer Identification Number (EIN) The EIN is a 9-digit number that the IRS issues. It is used to identify the tax accounts of employers and certain others who have no employees.

Is an EIN and tax ID the same?

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a federal tax identification number, and is used to identify a business entity. It is also used by estates and trusts which have income which is required to be reported on Form 1041, U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts.

What is an EIN number for LLC?

An employer identification number, or EIN, is a nine-digit number similar to a Social Security number. It is assigned to a business entity by the IRS. Business entities that are required to file various tax returns use their EIN the same way an individual uses his or her Social Security number.

What is the difference between a tax ID number and an EIN?

A Federal Tax Identification Number, also known as a "95 Number", "E.I.N. Number," or "Tax I.D. Number", all refer to the nine digit number issued by the IRS. They are different names for the same number.

How can I verify a TIN number?

Is my SSN my tax ID number?

A social security number (SSN) is a tax code used by an individual, while a tax ID is a nine-digit tax code for a business entity. For a business entity, a tax ID is usually called an EIN.

Is there a free database to look up any company's EIN tax ID number?

If the company is publicly traded and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), you can use the SEC's EDGAR system to look up such a company's EIN for free. You can do an EIN lookup for nonprofit organizations on Guidestar.

Do EIN numbers expire?

EINs do not expire. Once an EIN has been issued to an entity, it will not be reissued. An EIN may be applied for: Online—Click on the Employer ID Numbers (EINs) link at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/.

How much does an EIN cost?

Getting an EIN (employer identification number) does not cost any money, it is a free service offered to businesses by the Internal Revenue Service. There are a few ways to obtain an EIN but the easiest and most common way is by applying online.

How do I verify a business name with the IRS?

If an authorized representative needs to verify an EIN, they can call the IRS at 800-829-4933. Once the representative gives the proper identification, the IRS can give the EIN over the phone. A company representative can give authorization to someone else using IRS Form 2848 Tax Information Authorization.

Can an EIN number be 8 digits?

In a recent IRS Field Attorney Advice, we find out that messing up an employer identification number on a gift tax return can extend the gift tax statute of limitations. A person filing a proper gift tax return gives the IRS only three years to audit the return.

What is my tax identification number?

An identification number used by the IRS in the administration of federal tax laws. It is issued either by the Social Security Administration (SSA) or by the IRS. A Social Security number (SSN) is issued by the SSA whereas all other TINs are issued by the IRS.