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Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Instructions for Form SS-4

(Rev. December 2019)
Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless To ensure fair and equitable treatment for all taxpayers, EIN
otherwise noted. ! issuances are limited to one per responsible party, per day.
CAUTION For trusts, the limitation is applied to the grantor, owner, or
trustor. For estates, the limitation is applied to the decedent
General Instructions (decedent estate) or the debtor (bankruptcy estate). This limitation is
Use these instructions to complete Form SS-4, Application for applicable to all requests for EINs whether online, telephone, fax, or
Employer Identification Number (EIN). Also, see Do I Need an EIN? mail.
on page 2 of Form SS-4.
How To Apply for an EIN
Future Developments You can apply for an EIN online (only for applicants in the U.S. or
For the latest information related to Form SS-4 and its instructions, U.S. possessions), by telephone (only for applicants outside of the
such as legislation enacted after they were published, go to IRS.gov/ U.S. or U.S. possessions), by fax, or by mail, depending on how
FormSS4. soon you need to use the EIN. Use only one method for each entity
so you don’t receive more than one EIN for an entity.
What's New Apply for an EIN online. If you have a legal residence, principal
Line 14. Replaced $4,000 with $5,000 in the discussion providing place of business, or principal office or agency in the U.S. or U.S.
parameters on when an employer can elect to file Form 944. possessions, you can receive an EIN online and use it immediately
to file a return or make a payment. Go to the IRS website at IRS.gov/
Purpose of Form Businesses and click on Employer ID Number (EIN).
Use Form SS-4 to apply for an EIN. An EIN is a 9-digit number (for The principal officer, general partner, grantor, owner, trustor, etc.,
example, 12-3456789) assigned to sole proprietors, corporations, must have a valid taxpayer identification number (SSN, EIN, or ITIN)
partnerships, estates, trusts, and other entities for tax filing and in order to use the online application. Taxpayers who apply online
reporting purposes. The information you provide on this form will have an option to view, print, and save their EIN assignment notice
establish your business tax account. at the end of the session. Authorized third-party designees, see
See Form SS-4PR (for Puerto Rico) for the instructions under Line 18.
TIP Spanish-language version of Form SS-4. If you have NO legal residence, principal place of business,
or principal office or agency in the U.S. or U.S. possessions,
An EIN is for use in connection with your business activities CAUTION! you can't use the online application to obtain an EIN. Please
use one of the other methods to apply.
! only. Don't use your EIN in place of your social security
CAUTION number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number
(ITIN). Apply by telephone—option available to international appli-
cants only. If you have NO legal residence, principal place of
business, or principal office or agency in the U.S. or U.S.
Reminders possessions, you may call 267-941-1099 (not a toll-free number),
6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Eastern time), Monday through Friday, to
Apply for an EIN online. For applicants in the U.S. or U.S. obtain an EIN.
possessions, you can apply for and receive an EIN free of charge on
IRS.gov. See How To Apply for an EIN, later. The person making the call must be authorized to receive the EIN
and answer questions concerning Form SS-4. Complete the Third
File only one Form SS-4. Generally, a sole proprietor should file Party Designee section only if you want to authorize the named
only one Form SS-4 and needs only one EIN, regardless of the individual to receive the entity’s EIN and answer questions about the
number of businesses operated as a sole proprietorship or trade completion of Form SS-4. The designee’s authority terminates at the
names under which a business operates. However, if a sole time the EIN is assigned and released to the designee. You must
proprietorship incorporates or enters into a partnership, a new EIN is complete the signature area for the authorization to be valid.
required. Also, each corporation in an affiliated group must have its
own EIN. Note. It will be helpful to complete Form SS-4 before contacting the
EIN applied for, but not received. If you don’t have an EIN by the IRS. An IRS representative will use the information from Form SS-4
time a return is due, write “Applied For” and the date you applied in to establish your account and assign you an EIN. Write the number
the space shown for the number. Don’t show your SSN as an EIN on you're given on the upper right corner of the form and sign and date
returns. If you don’t have an EIN by the time a tax deposit is due, it. Keep this copy for your records.
send your payment to the Internal Revenue Service Center for your If requested by an IRS representative, mail or fax the signed
filing area as shown in the instructions for the form that you are filing. Form SS-4 (including any third-party designee authorization) within
Make your check or money order payable to the “United States 24 hours to the IRS address provided by the IRS representative.
Treasury” and show your name (as shown on Form SS-4), address, The IRS no longer issues EINs by telephone for domestic
type of tax, period covered, and date you applied for an EIN. ! taxpayers. Only international applicants can receive an EIN
For information about EINs and federal tax deposits, see CAUTION by telephone.
TIP Pub. 15, Pub. 51, and Pub. 80.
Apply by fax. Under the Fax-TIN program, you can receive your
EIN by fax generally within 4 business days. Complete and fax Form
SS-4 to the IRS using the appropriate fax number listed in Where To
File or Fax, later. A long-distance charge to callers outside of the
local calling area will apply. Fax-TIN numbers can only be used to

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apply for an EIN. The numbers may change without notice. Fax-TIN • Form 1042-S, Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to
is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Withholding.
Be sure to provide your fax number so the IRS can fax the EIN • Instructions for Form 1065, U.S. Return of Partnership Income.
back to you. • Instructions for Form 1066, U.S. Real Estate Mortgage
Investment Conduit (REMIC) Income Tax Return.
Apply by mail. Complete Form SS-4 at least 4 to 5 weeks before • Instructions for Form 1120, U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return.
you will need an EIN. Sign and date the application and mail it to the • Form 1120-S, U.S. Income Tax Return for an S Corporation.
appropriate address listed in Where To File or Fax, later. You will • Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return.
receive your EIN in the mail in approximately 4 weeks. Also, see • Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation.
Third-Party Designee, later. • Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative.
Call 800-829-4933 to verify a number or to ask about the status • Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization.
of an application by mail. • Form 8822-B, Change of Address or Responsible Party —
Business.
Form SS-4 downloaded from IRS.gov is a fillable form and, • Form 8832, Entity Classification Election.
TIP when completed, is suitable for faxing or mailing to the IRS. • Form 8849, Claim for Refund of Excise Taxes.
For more information about filing Form SS-4 and related issues,
Where To File or Fax see:
• Pub. 15, Employer's Tax Guide.
If you have a principal place of File or fax to: • Pub. 51, Agricultural Employer's Tax Guide.
business, office or agency, or • Pub. 80, Federal Tax Guide for Employers in the U.S. Virgin
legal residence in the case of an Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the
individual, located in: Northern Mariana Islands.
One of the 50 states or the District Internal Revenue Service • Pub. 538, Accounting Periods and Methods.
of Columbia Attn: EIN Operation • Pub. 542, Corporations.
Cincinnati, OH 45999 • Pub. 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization.
• Pub. 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records.
Fax: 855-641-6935 • Pub. 966, Electronic Choices to Pay All Your Federal Taxes.
• Pub. 1635, Understanding Your EIN.
If you have no legal residence, Internal Revenue Service
principal office, or principal agency Attn: EIN International Operation
in any state or the District of Cincinnati, OH 45999
Columbia (international/U.S. Specific Instructions
possessions) Fax: 855-215-1627 (within the U.S.)
Fax: 304-707-9471 (outside the U.S.) Follow the instructions for each line to expedite processing and to
avoid unnecessary IRS requests for additional information.
Generally, enter “N/A” on the lines that don't apply.
How To Get Tax Help, Forms, and
Line 1. Legal name of entity (or individual) for whom the EIN is
Publications being requested. Enter the legal name of the entity (or individual)
Tax help for your business is available at IRS.gov/ applying for the EIN exactly as it appears on the social security card,
TIP Businesses. charter, or other applicable legal document. An entry is required.
Individuals. Enter your first name, middle initial, and last name. If
you're a sole proprietor, enter your individual name, not your
You can download or print all of the forms and publications you business name. Enter your business name on line 2. Don't use
may need on IRS.gov/FormsPubs. Otherwise, you can go to abbreviations or nicknames on line 1.
IRS.gov/OrderForms to place an order and have forms mailed to
you. You should receive your order within 10 business days. Trusts. Enter the name of the trust as it appears on the trust
instrument.
Related Forms and Publications Estate of a decedent. Enter the name of the estate. For an
estate that has no legal name, enter the name of the decedent
The following forms and instructions may be useful to filers of Form followed by “Estate.”
SS-4. Partnerships. Enter the legal name of the partnership as it
• Form 11-C, Occupational Tax and Registration Return for appears in the partnership agreement.
Wagering.
• Form 637, Application for Registration (For Certain Excise Tax Corporations. Enter the corporate name as it appears in the
Activities). corporate charter or other legal document creating it.
• Form 720, Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return. Plan administrators. Enter the name of the plan administrator. A
• Form 730, Monthly Tax Return for Wagers. plan administrator who already has an EIN should use that number.
• Form 941, Employer's QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return. Line 2. Trade name of business. Enter the trade name of the
• Form 944, Employer's ANNUAL Federal Tax Return. business if different from the legal name. The trade name is the
• Form 990-T, Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return. “doing business as” (DBA) name.
• Instructions for Form 990-T, Exempt Organization Business
Income Tax Return. Use the full legal name shown on line 1 on all tax returns
• Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under ! filed for the entity. (However, if you enter a trade name on
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. CAUTION line 2 and choose to use the trade name instead of the legal
• Form 1024, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under name, enter the trade name on all returns you file.) To prevent
Section 501(a). processing delays and errors, use only the legal name (or the trade
• Schedule C (Form 1040 or 1040-SR), Profit or Loss From name) on all tax returns.
Business (Sole Proprietorship).
• Schedule F (Form 1040 or 1040-SR), Profit or Loss From Line 3. Executor, administrator, trustee, “care of” name. For
Farming. trusts, enter the name of the trustee. For estates, enter the name of
• Instructions for Form 1041 and Schedules A, B, G, J, and K-1, the executor, administrator, personal representative, or other
U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts. fiduciary. If the entity applying has a designated person to receive
• Form 1042, Annual Withholding Tax Return for U.S. Source tax information, enter that person's name as the “care of” person.
Income of Foreign Persons. Enter the individual's first name, middle initial, and last name.

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Lines 4a–4b. Mailing address. Enter the mailing address for the Schedule C (Form 1040 or 1040-SR)). For more information on
entity's correspondence. If the entity's address is outside the United single-member LLCs, see Disregarded entities, later.
States or its possessions, you must enter the city, province or state, Also, by default, a domestic LLC with two or more members is
postal code, and the name of the country. Don't abbreviate the treated as a partnership. A domestic LLC may file Form 8832 to
country name. If line 3 is completed, enter the address for the avoid either default classification and elect to be classified as an
executor, trustee, or “care of” person. Generally, this address will be association taxable as a corporation. For more information on entity
used on all tax returns. classifications (including the rules for foreign entities), see Form
If the entity is filing Form SS-4 only to obtain an EIN for Form 8832 and its instructions.
8832, use the same address where you would like to have the If the answer to line 8a is “Yes,” enter the number of LLC
acceptance or nonacceptance letter sent. members. If the LLC is owned solely by an individual and his or her
spouse in a community property state and they choose to treat the
File Form 8822-B to report any subsequent changes to the entity as a disregarded entity, enter “1” on line 8b.
TIP entity's mailing address.
Don't file Form 8832 if the LLC accepts the default
classifications above. If the LLC timely files Form 2553, it will
Lines 5a–5b. Street address. Provide the entity's physical CAUTION! be treated as a corporation as of the effective date of the S
address only if different from its mailing address shown on lines 4a– corporation election as long as it meets all other requirements to
4b. Don't enter a P.O. box number here. If the entity's address is qualify as an S corporation. The LLC doesn't need to file Form 8832
outside the United States or its possessions, you must enter the city, in addition to Form 2553. See the Instructions for Form 2553.
province or state, postal code, and the name of the country. Don't
abbreviate the country name. Line 9a. Type of entity. Check the box that best describes the
Line 6. County and state where principal business is located. type of entity applying for the EIN. If you're an alien individual with an
Enter the entity's primary physical location. ITIN previously assigned to you, enter the ITIN in place of a
requested SSN.
Lines 7a–7b. Name of responsible party. Enter the full name
(first name, middle initial, last name, if applicable) and SSN, ITIN, or This isn't an election for a tax classification of an entity. See
EIN of the entity's responsible party. ! Disregarded entities, later.
Responsible party defined. The “responsible party” is the CAUTION
person who ultimately owns or controls the entity or who exercises Sole proprietor. Check this box if you file Schedule C or
ultimate effective control over the entity. The person identified as the Schedule F (Form 1040 or 1040-SR) and have a qualified plan, or
responsible party should have a level of control over, or entitlement are required to file excise, employment, alcohol, tobacco, or firearms
to, the funds or assets in the entity that, as a practical matter, returns, or are a payer of gambling winnings. Enter your SSN or ITIN
enables the person, directly or indirectly, to control, manage, or in the space provided. If you're a nonresident alien with no
direct the entity and the disposition of its funds and assets. Unless effectively connected income from sources within the United States,
the applicant is a government entity, the responsible party enter “N/A.” You don't need to enter an SSN or ITIN.
must be an individual (that is, a natural person), not an entity. Corporation. This box is for any corporation other than a
• For entities with shares or interests traded on a public exchange, personal service corporation. If you check this box, enter the income
or which are registered with the Securities and Exchange tax form number to be filed by the entity in the space provided.
Commission, “responsible party” is (a) the principal officer, if the If you entered “1120-S” after the Corporation checkbox, the
entity is a corporation; or (b) a general partner, if a partnership. The ! corporation must file Form 2553 no later than the 15th day of
general requirement that the responsible party be an individual CAUTION the 3rd month of the tax year the election is to take effect.
applies to these entities. For example, if a corporation is the general Until Form 2553 has been received and approved, you will be
partner of a publicly traded partnership for which Form SS-4 is filed, considered a Form 1120 filer. See the Instructions for Form 2553.
then the responsible party of the partnership is the principal officer of
the corporation. Personal service corporation. Check this box if the entity is a
• For tax-exempt organizations, the responsible party is generally personal service corporation. An entity is a personal service
the same as the “principal officer” as defined in the Form 990 corporation for a tax year only if:
instructions. • The principal activity of the entity during the testing period
• For government entities, the responsible party is generally the (generally the prior tax year) for the tax year is the performance of
agency or agency representative in a position to legally bind the personal services substantially by employee-owners, and
particular government entity. • The employee-owners own at least 10% of the fair market value
• For trusts, the responsible party is a grantor, owner, or trustor. of the outstanding stock in the entity on the last day of the testing
• For decedent estates, the responsible party is the executor, period.
administrator, personal representative, or other fiduciary. Personal services include performance of services in such fields
File Form 8822-B to report any subsequent changes to as accounting, actuarial science, architecture, consulting,
TIP responsible party information. engineering, health (including veterinary services), law, and the
performing arts. For more information about personal service
corporations, see the Instructions for Form 1120 and Pub. 542.
If you’re applying for an EIN for a government entity, you may
enter an EIN for the responsible party on line 7b. Otherwise, you If the corporation is recently formed, the testing period
must enter an SSN or ITIN on line 7b. But, leave line 7b blank or ! begins on the first day of its tax year and ends on the earlier
enter “N/A,” “foreign,” or similar language, if the responsible party CAUTION of the last day of its tax year, or the last day of the calendar
doesn't have and is ineligible to obtain an SSN or ITIN. year in which its tax year begins.
Lines 8a–8c. Limited liability company (LLC) information. An Other nonprofit organization. Check the Other nonprofit
LLC is an entity organized under the laws of a state or foreign organization box if the nonprofit organization is other than a church
country as a limited liability company. For federal tax purposes, an or church-controlled organization and specify the type of nonprofit
LLC may be treated as a partnership or corporation or be organization (for example, an educational organization).
disregarded as an entity separate from its owner. If the organization also seeks tax-exempt status, you must
By default, a domestic LLC with only one member is disregarded ! file either Form 1023 (or Form 1023-EZ) or Form 1024. See
as an entity separate from its owner and must include all of its CAUTION Pub. 557 for more information.
income and expenses on the owner's tax return (for example,
If the organization is covered by a group exemption letter, enter
the four-digit group exemption number (GEN) in the last entry. (Don't

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confuse the GEN with the 9-digit EIN.) If you don't know the GEN, taxes, or for non-federal purposes such as a state requirement,
contact the parent organization. See Pub. 557 for more information check the Other box for line 9a and write “Disregarded entity” (or
about group exemption letters. “Disregarded entity-sole proprietorship” if the owner of the
If the organization is a section 527 political organization, check disregarded entity is an individual).
the Other nonprofit organization box and specify “Section 527 • If the disregarded entity is requesting an EIN for purposes of filing
organization” in the space to the right. To be recognized as exempt Form 5472, as required under section 6038A for a U.S. disregarded
from tax, a section 527 political organization must electronically file entity that is wholly owned by a foreign person, check the Other box
Form 8871, Political Organization Notice of Section 527 Status, for line 9a and write “Foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity-Form
within 24 hours of the date on which the organization was 5472.”
established. The organization may also have to file Form 8872, • If the disregarded entity is requesting an EIN for purposes of filing
Political Organization Report of Contributions and Expenditures. Go Form 8832 to elect classification as an association taxable as a
to IRS.gov/PolOrgs for more information. corporation, or Form 2553 to elect S corporation status, check the
Estate. An estate is a legal entity created as a result of a person's Corporation box for line 9a and write “Single-member” and the form
death. Enter the SSN or ITIN of the deceased person in the space number of the return that will be filed (Form 1120 or 1120-S).
provided. • If the disregarded entity is requesting an EIN because it has
acquired one or more additional owners and its classification has
Plan administrator. If the plan administrator is an individual, changed to partnership under the default rules of Regulations
enter the plan administrator's taxpayer identification number (TIN) in section 301.7701-3(f), check the Partnership box for line 9a.
the space provided. If a foreign eligible entity is requesting an EIN for purposes of
•
REMIC. Check this box if the entity has elected to be treated as a filing Form 8832 to elect classification as a disregarded entity, check
real estate mortgage investment conduit (REMIC). See the the Other box for line 9a and write “foreign disregarded entity.”
Instructions for Form 1066 for more information.
State/local government. State and local governments generally Line 10. Reason for applying. Check only one box. Don't enter
have the characteristics of a government, such as powers of “N/A.” A selection is required.
taxation, law enforcement, and civil authority. If you're unsure Started new business. Check this box if you're starting a new
whether or not your organization is a government, search “What are business that requires an EIN. If you check this box, enter the type of
government entities?” at IRS.gov for clarification. business being started. Don't apply if you already have an EIN and
Federal government. The federal government is made up of the are only adding another place of business.
Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches, as well as Hired employees. Check this box if the existing business is
independent federal agencies. Unions, VFW organizations, and requesting an EIN because it has hired or is hiring employees and is
political organizations aren't federal agencies. therefore required to file employment tax returns. Don't apply if you
Other. If not specifically listed, check the Other box and enter the already have an EIN and are only hiring employees. For information
type of entity and the type of return, if any, that will be filed (for on employment taxes (for example, for family members), see Pub.
example, “Common trust fund, Form 1065” or “Created a pension 15, Pub. 51, or Pub. 80.
plan”). Don't enter “N/A.” If you're an alien individual applying for an You must make electronic deposits of all depository taxes
EIN, see the instructions for Lines 7a–7b. ! (such as employment tax, excise tax, and corporate income
• Household employer. If you're an individual that will employ CAUTION tax) using EFTPS. See Pub. 15, Pub. 51, Pub. 80, and Pub.
someone to provide services in your household, check the Other 966.
box and enter “Household employer” and your SSN. If you're a trust
that qualifies as a household employer, you don't need a separate Banking purpose. Check this box if you're requesting an EIN for
EIN for reporting tax information relating to household employees; banking purposes only, and enter the banking purpose (for example,
use the EIN of the trust. a bowling league for depositing dues or an investment club for
• Household employer agent. If you're an agent of a household dividend and interest reporting).
employer that is a disabled individual or other welfare recipient Changed type of organization. Check this box if the business
receiving home care services through a state or local program, is changing its type of organization. For example, the business was
check the Other box and enter “Household employer agent.” For a sole proprietorship and has been incorporated or has become a
more information, see Rev. Proc. 84-33 and Rev. Proc. 2013-39. If partnership. If you check this box, specify in the space provided
you're a state or local government, also check the state/local (including available space immediately below) the type of change
government box. made. For example, “From sole proprietorship to partnership.”
• QSub. For a qualified subchapter S subsidiary (QSub) check the Purchased going business. Check this box if you purchased an
Other box and specify “QSub.” See Rev. Rul. 2008-18, 2008-13 existing business. Don't use the former owner's EIN unless you
I.R.B. 674, if the QSub election is made pursuant to a reorganization became the “owner” of a corporation by acquiring its stock.
under section 368(a)(1)(F), and Disregarded entities below. Created a trust. Check this box if you created a trust, and enter
• Withholding agent. If you're a withholding agent required to file the type of trust created. For example, indicate if the trust is a
Form 1042, check the Other box and enter “Withholding agent.” nonexempt charitable trust or a split-interest trust.
Disregarded entities. A disregarded entity is an eligible entity Exception. Don't file this form for certain grantor-type trusts. The
that is disregarded as separate from its owner for federal income tax trustee doesn't need an EIN for the trust if the trustee furnishes the
purposes. Disregarded entities include single-member limited name and TIN of the grantor/owner and the address of the trust to all
liability companies (LLCs) and certain qualified foreign entities. See payers. However, grantor trusts that don't file using Optional Method
the instructions for Forms 8832 and 8869, and Regulations section 1 and IRA trusts that are required to file Form 990-T must have an
301.7701-3 for more information on domestic and foreign EIN. For more information on grantor trusts, see the Instructions for
disregarded entities. Form 1041.
The disregarded entity is required to use its name and EIN for
reporting and payment of employment taxes: to register for excise Don't check this box if you're applying for a trust EIN when a
tax activities on Form 637; to pay and report excise taxes reported TIP new pension plan is established. Check the Created a
on Forms 720, 730, 2290, and 11-C; to claim any refunds, credits, pension plan box.
and payments on Form 8849; and where a U.S. disregarded entity is Created a pension plan. Check this box if you have created a
wholly owned by a foreign person, to file information returns on Form pension plan and need an EIN for reporting purposes. Also, enter
5472. See the instructions for the employment and excise tax the type of plan in the space provided. For more information about
returns and Form 5472 for more information. pension plans, visit IRS.gov and enter “Types of retirement plans” in
Complete Form SS-4 for disregarded entities as follows. the search box.
• If a disregarded entity is filing Form SS-4 to obtain an EIN
because it is required to report and pay employment and excise

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Check this box if you're applying for a trust EIN when a new For employers in the U.S. possessions, generally, if you pay
TIP pension plan is established. In addition, check the Other box TIP $6,536 or less in wages subject to social security and
on line 9a and write “Created a pension plan” in the space Medicare taxes, you're likely to pay $1,000 or less in
provided. employment taxes.
Other. Check this box if you're requesting an EIN for any other For more information on employment taxes, see Pub. 15, Pub.
reason, and enter the reason. For example, a newly formed state 51, or Pub. 80.
government entity should enter “Newly formed state government
entity” in the space provided. A foreign-owned U.S. disregarded Line 15. First date wages or annuities were paid. If the business
entity required to file Form 5472 should enter “Foreign-owned U.S. has employees, enter the date on which the business began to pay
disregarded entity filing Form 5472” in the space provided. wages or annuities. For foreign applicants, this is the date you
began to pay wages in the United States. If the business doesn't
Line 11. Date business started or acquired. If you're starting a plan to have employees, enter “N/A.”
new business, enter the starting date of the business. If the business Withholding agent. Enter the date you began or will begin to
you acquired is already operating, enter the date you acquired the pay income (including annuities) to a nonresident alien. This also
business. For foreign applicants, this is the date you began or applies to individuals who are required to file Form 1042 to report
acquired a business in the United States. If you're changing the form alimony paid to a nonresident alien. For foreign applicants, this is the
of ownership of your business, enter the date the new ownership date you began or will begin to pay income (including annuities) to a
entity began. Trusts should enter the date the trust was funded or nonresident alien in the United States.
the date that the trust was required to obtain an EIN under
Regulations section 301.6109-1(a)(2). Estates should enter the date Line 16. Check the one box on line 16 that best describes the
of death of the decedent whose name appears on line 1 or the date principal activity of the applicant's business. Check the Other box
when the estate was legally funded. (and specify the applicant's principal activity) if none of the listed
boxes applies. You must check a box.
Line 12. Closing month of accounting year. Enter the last month Construction. Check this box if the applicant is engaged in
of your accounting year or tax year. An accounting or tax year is erecting buildings or engineering projects (for example, streets,
usually 12 consecutive months, either a calendar year or a fiscal highways, bridges, and tunnels). The term “construction” also
year (including a period of 52 or 53 weeks). A calendar year is 12 includes special trade contractors (for example, plumbing, HVAC,
consecutive months ending on December 31. A fiscal year is either electrical, carpentry, concrete, excavation, etc., contractors).
12 consecutive months ending on the last day of any month other
than December or a 52-53 week year. For more information on Real estate. Check this box if the applicant is engaged in renting
accounting periods, see Pub. 538. or leasing real estate to others; managing, selling, buying, or renting
real estate for others; or providing related real estate services (for
Individuals. Your tax year will generally be a calendar year. example, appraisal services). Also, check this box for mortgage real
Partnerships. Partnerships must adopt one of the following tax estate investment trusts (REITs). Mortgage REITs are engaged in
years. issuing shares of funds consisting primarily of portfolios of real
• The tax year of the majority of its partners. estate mortgage assets with gross income of the trust solely derived
• The tax year common to all of its principal partners. from interest earned.
• The tax year that results in the least aggregate deferral of income. Rental & leasing. Check this box if the applicant is engaged in
• In certain cases, some other tax year. providing tangible goods such as autos, computers, consumer
See the Instructions for Form 1065 for more information. goods, or industrial machinery and equipment to customers in return
REMICs. REMICs must have a calendar year as their tax year. for a periodic rental or lease payment. Also, check this box for equity
Personal service corporations. A personal service corporation real estate investment trusts (REITs). Equity REITs are engaged in
must generally adopt a calendar year unless it meets one of the issuing shares of funds consisting primarily of portfolios of real
following requirements. estate assets with gross income of the trust derived from renting real
• It can establish a business purpose for having a different tax year. property.
• It elects under section 444 to have a tax year other than a Manufacturing. Check this box if the applicant is engaged in the
calendar year. mechanical, physical, or chemical transformation of materials,
Trusts. Generally, a trust must adopt a calendar year except for substances, or components into new products. The assembling of
the following trusts. component parts of manufactured products is also considered to be
• Tax-exempt trusts. manufacturing.
• Charitable trusts. Transportation & warehousing. Check this box if the applicant
• Grantor-owned trusts. provides transportation of passengers or cargo; warehousing or
storage of goods; scenic or sight seeing transportation; or support
Line 13. Highest number of employees expected in the next 12 activities related to transportation.
months. Complete each box by entering the number (including
zero (-0-)) of Agricultural Household, , or Other employees expected Finance & insurance. Check this box if the applicant is engaged
by the applicant in the next 12 months. in transactions involving the creation, liquidation, or change of
ownership of financial assets and/or facilitating such financial
If no employees are expected, skip line 14. transactions; underwriting annuities/insurance policies; facilitating
Line 14. Do you want to file Form 944? If you expect your such underwriting by selling insurance policies or in providing other
employment tax liability to be $1,000 or less in a full calendar year, insurance or employee-benefit related services.
you're eligible to file Form 944 annually (once each year) instead of Health care & social assistance. Check this box if the applicant
filing Form 941 quarterly (every 3 months). Your employment tax is engaged in providing physical, medical, or psychiatric care; or in
liability will generally be $1,000 or less if you expect to pay $5,000 or providing social assistance activities, such as youth centers,
less in total wages subject to social security and Medicare taxes and adoption agencies, individual/family services, temporary shelters,
federal income tax withholding. If you qualify and want to file Form daycare, etc.
944 instead of Forms 941, check the box on line 14. If you don't Accommodation & food services. Check this box if the
check the box, then you must file Form 941 for every quarter. applicant is engaged in providing customers with lodging, meal
preparation, snacks, or beverages for immediate consumption.
Once you check the box, you must continue to file Form
Wholesale-agent/broker. Check this box if the applicant is
! 944, regardless of the amount of tax shown on your return, engaged in arranging for the purchase or sale of goods owned by
CAUTION until the IRS instructs you to file Form 941.
others or purchasing goods on a commission basis for goods traded
in the wholesale market, usually between businesses.

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The type and rule above prints on all proofs including departmental reproduction proofs. MUST be removed before printing.

Wholesale-other. Check this box if the applicant is engaged in employer identification number (EIN) on certain returns, statements,
selling goods in the wholesale market generally to other businesses or other documents filed with the Internal Revenue Service. If your
for resale on their own account, goods used in production, or capital entity is required to obtain an EIN, you're required to provide all of
or durable nonconsumer goods. the information requested on this form. Information on this form may
Retail. Check this box if the applicant is engaged in selling be used to determine which federal tax returns you're required to file
merchandise to the general public from a fixed store; by direct, and to provide you with related forms and publications.
mail-order, or electronic sales; or by using vending machines.
We disclose this form to the Social Security Administration (SSA)
Other. Check this box if the applicant is engaged in an activity for their use in determining compliance with applicable laws. We
not described above. Describe the applicant's principal business may give this information to the Department of Justice for use in civil
activity in the space provided. and/or criminal litigation, and to cities, states, the District of
Line 17. Use line 17 to describe the applicant's principal line of Columbia, and U.S. commonwealths and possessions for use in
business in more detail. For example, if you checked the administering their tax laws. We may also disclose this information
Construction box on line 16, enter additional detail such as “General to other countries under a tax treaty, to federal and state agencies to
contractor for residential buildings” on line 17. An entry is required. enforce federal nontax criminal laws, and to federal law enforcement
For mortgage REITs, indicate mortgage REIT; and for equity REITs, and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism.
indicate what type of real property is the principal type (residential
REIT, nonresidential REIT, miniwarehouse REIT, etc.). We will be unable to issue an EIN to you unless you provide all of
the requested information that applies to your entity. Providing false
Line 18. Check the applicable box to indicate whether or not the information could subject you to penalties.
applicant entity applying for an EIN was issued one previously.
You're not required to provide the information requested on a
Third-Party Designee. Complete this section only if you want to form that is subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act unless the form
authorize the named individual to answer questions about the displays a valid OMB control number. Books or records relating to a
completion of Form SS-4 and receive the entity’s newly assigned form or its instructions must be retained as long as their contents
EIN. You must complete the signature area for the authorization to may become material in the administration of any Internal Revenue
be valid. The designee’s authority terminates at the time the EIN is law. Generally, tax returns and return information are confidential, as
assigned and released to the designee. EINs are released to required by section 6103.
authorized third-party designees by the method they used to obtain
the EIN (online, telephone, or fax); however, the EIN notice will be The time needed to complete and file this form will vary
mailed to the taxpayer. depending on individual circumstances. The estimated average time
is:
If the third-party designee’s address or telephone number
! matches the address or telephone number of the taxpayer, Recordkeeping 8 hr., 36 min.
CAUTION the application must be mailed or faxed.
Signature. When required, the application must be signed by (a) Learning about the law or the form 42 min.
the individual, if the applicant is an individual; (b) the president, vice
president, or other principal officer, if the applicant is a corporation; Preparing, copying, assembling, and sending the
form to the IRS 52 min.
(c) a responsible and duly authorized member or officer having
knowledge of its affairs, if the applicant is a partnership, government
entity, or other unincorporated organization; or (d) the fiduciary, if the
applicant is a trust or an estate. Foreign applicants may have any If you have comments concerning the accuracy of these time
duly authorized person (for example, division manager) sign Form estimates or suggestions for making this form simpler, we would be
SS-4. happy to hear from you. You can send us comments from IRS.gov/
FormComments. Or you can write to the Internal Revenue Service,
Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice. We ask for Tax Forms and Publications Division, 1111 Constitution Ave. NW,
the information on this form to carry out the Internal Revenue laws of IR-6526, Washington, DC 20224. Don't send Form SS-4 to this
the United States. We need it to comply with section 6109 and the address. Instead, see Where To File or Fax, earlier.
regulations thereunder, which generally require the inclusion of an

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