How to Get a Business Tax Number

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service issues business tax number’s called an “Employee Identification Number (EIN). This number identifies your business to the service. This number allows your business to open a bank account, apply for licenses, withhold taxes and file taxes. Obtaining the EIN is the third step in the business registration process according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

• Gather all of your business paperwork including assumed name and business structure. Register your business entity name and structure with your state and record the name and number (if applicable).


• Navigate to the U.S. IRS website at irs.gov. Click the “Business” tab at the top and select the “Starting a Business” link at the left of the page. Scroll then click on the “How to Apply for an EIN.”


• Apply for the EIN online during the open enrollment times offered seven days per week. The application is available Monday through Friday from 6:001m to 12:30am, Saturdays from 9:00am to 9:00 pm and Sundays from 7:00pm to 12:00am U.S. Eastern time. This is the preferred method for enrollment because the EIN is automatically issued after the process.


• Fill out the online questionnaire about the business structure, name, address, number of employees and owners. After the questionnaire is submitted, write down your EIN number and store it in a safe place.


• Use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) to make tax deposits safely online. When you indicate that you have employees during the EIN questionnaire, the irs.gov website automatically sets you up with a EFTPS account. You will receive a mailed confirmation of your enrollment into the website, along with a pin number used to log into the system.