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Get federal and state tax ID numbers | U.S. Small Business Administration Skip to main content Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Get federal and state tax ID numbers Your state tax ID and federal tax ID numbers — also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN) — work like a personal social security number, but for your business. They let your small business pay state and federal taxes. Content Get a federal tax ID number Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your business’s federal tax ID number. You need it to pay federal taxes, hire employees, open a bank account, and apply for business licenses and permits . It's free to apply for an EIN, and you should do it right after you register your business . Your business needs a federal tax ID number if it does any of the following: Pays employees Operates as a corporation or partnership Files tax returns for employment, excise, or alcohol, tobacco, and firearms Withholds taxes on income, other than wages, paid to a non-resident alien Uses a Keogh Plan (a tax-deferred pension plan) Works with certain types of organizations You can apply and receive an EIN immediately using the IRS assistance tool . It will guide you through questions and ask for your name, social security number or taxpayer ID number, and business structure . If you are a third-party, you will also need signed authorization to apply. Your nine-digit federal tax ID becomes available immediately upon verification. Do not apply for an EIN on websites that charge a fee – the EIN application is free of cost . Change or replace your EIN If you already have an EIN, you might have to change or replace it with a new one if certain changes have occurred with your business, depending on your business structure and the kind of change that occurred. In general, you need a new EIN when your business’s ownership or structure changes. Check with the IRS to determine exactly whether you need to change or replace your EIN. Deactivate your EIN An EIN cannot be canceled as it is an assigned, permanent federal ID number. However, if you no longer need your EIN, the IRS can deactivate it if your organization is not exempt, and you have filed all outstanding tax returns and paid any taxes owed. Both SBA and the IRS have guidance on closing or selling your business. Receiving an EIN you didn’t request Occasionally, someone may request an EIN on your behalf for a legitimate business reason. If you receive a notice for an EIN that isn’t yours, the IRS recommends that: You first confirm that it was not a legitimate request on your behalf . If you confirm that it was not requested
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