SCBOS Step 3

Federal Employer ID Number

 (FEIN or EIN)

Home

Research & Planning

Registering with the Secretary of State

Obtain an Employer ID Number (EIN) from the IRS

Choose Location - Determine local business licenses and property tax requirements

Will you hire employees? Know the laws and requirements

Determine if a Retail Sales Tax registration is required

Determine what county or state Business Personal Property Tax registrations are required

Financing your business

Other considerations

Federal EIN (FEIN)

The Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) is obtained from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You can register for one online, or by completing an SS-4 and mailing it in. The IRS requires a business to have an FEIN if the business:

Already has employees
Intends on hiring employees
Registered as a corporation or partnership (including LLC multimember)
Elected to be taxed as a corporation or S-Corp.

EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (EIN) FAQs

I am a sole proprietor. Do I need an EIN?

Each business is different. Most sole proprietors identify by the owners' Social Security Number (SSN) when filing for the business.

Should I register for my Employer Identification Number first, or should I complete my registration with the Secretary of State?

It is best to register with the Secretary of State (if you intend to register with the state) before obtaining an EIN. This ensures that your business name is available when it's time to register with the IRS, State, County, and Municipal organizations.

My business is a foreign entity. Do I need an EIN?

Previously established out-of-state businesses have typically already registered for an EIN from the IRS.

What is an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)?

An ITIN, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, is a tax processing number only available for certain nonresident and resident aliens, their spouses, and dependents who cannot get a Social Security Number (SSN). It is a 9-digit number, beginning with the number "9". Visit the IRS Taxpayer Identification Number page for more information.