Finding your own or another company’s Federal Tax ID Number (TIN) is an easy task and highly necessary for the purposes of tax returns. There are several methods you can use to perform a federal tax ID lookup.
A federal tax ID is an essential piece of information provided to businesses by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), often in the form of an Employer Identification Number (EIN). This is a 9-digit number that helps the IRS identify businesses and keep track of their tax status. Individuals’ Social Security Number (SSN) may also qualify as their federal tax ID. However, these are not issued by the IRS but by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and would be categorized as a TIN, rather than an EIN.
In this guide to looking up a federal tax ID, you’ll see how you can do this as quickly and efficiently as possible and what to keep in mind when performing a federal tax ID lookup. This is usually an easy process given the fact that a company’s number is usually readily available to access on relevant databases.
Federal Tax ID for a company
The most important piece of information to keep in mind when looking for a company’s federal tax ID number is the company’s structure. The type of tax ID you look for will vary depending on whether the company is listed with the IRS as an individual taxpayer, non-profit, employer, sole proprietorship, trust or government agency, or corporation.
All companies that are responsible for employing others have to have an EIN, which provides the IRS with information about the company’s operations and tax status. If you require an TIN for a company, it’s likely you need this for tax purposes or to verify some information provided to you by them.
There are certain entities that are legally required to have an EIN as their federal tax ID number. These are namely:
- Corporations
- Non-profit organizations
- Partnerships
- Trusts or government agencies
Suppose you are doing business with either of these types of companies for any reason, whether they are one of your suppliers or clients or you want to enter into a business agreement with them. In that case, their federal tax ID will provide you with important information about the company. You may also want to get ahold of their EIN for your own tax purposes. A TIN, classifies companies that can be useful for reconciling accounts for tax reports.
What are the best ways to perform a federal tax ID lookup?
If you are in need of an EIN or TIN for a company, then there are several lookup methods you can use. You can ask the company directly, as these ID numbers are not filed for public consumption. If you want to save some time and resources, consider using one of the following options.
Ask the company
If you are entering into a business agreement with a company, then you are entitled to ask the company for their TIN or EIN. They should keep this information on file. However, there are some cases in which they may not be able to provide you with their EIN. This is usually because they have misplaced it or do not know where to look for it. In this case, another federal tax ID lookup method may be worth pursuing.
Finding Non-Profit EIN’s
When looking for an EIN for non-profit organizations, you can use a paid service such as EINsearch. You will be able to find a non-profit EIN by using the first few letters of the company’s official name. Other information you can input into the system includes the company’s registered address.
Use an EIN or Federal Tax ID lookup service
An EIN lookup service is another way you can get a hold of company TIN. If your business deals with other business entities on a regular basis, having one of these to call is a great way to save you time and resources. Using a service like EINsearch.com is easy and efficient. We will be able to help you find other companies’ EINs or your own if you have misplaced it. A service like this pulls data from the IRS and other databases to provide you with accurate information in a timely fashion.
Finding your own TIN or EIN
If you have been issued with an EIN and have misplaced it, then it is easy to recover. You would have needed to quote your EIN on any documentation submitted to the IRS for a tax return or report. Simply consult this paperwork to confirm your EIN. You can call the IRS at 800-829-4933. You will be required to answer a few simple questions asked by the operator, after which they will give your EIN over the phone
How do I find a federal tax ID for someone who is self-employed?
When dealing with someone who is self-employed, you should remember that they are not necessarily obligated to have an EIN. In this case, you may need to use another number as their TIN. Some self-employed individuals may have an EIN, as there are many benefits to having one when it comes to filing for tax. However, there are some who will still file tax returns using their SSNs. In this case, you may need to use this for your own company records.
What is the difference between an EIN and an SSN?
Although both SSNs and EINs are considered to be TINs, there are some key differences you have to keep in mind when searching for this information. One of the main differences between an EIN and an SSN is that an EIN can only be issued by the IRS and only to businesses. SSNs are issued to any US citizen and assist them in filing tax returns for their individual needs, which is only mandatory if they receive wages of any kind. SSNs are issued to all US citizens by the Social Security Administration (SSA), but the IRS cannot issue these to individuals.
The second major difference is the uses for EINS vs. SSNs. SSNs can also assist individuals in applying for personal bank accounts and other programs like medical care. SSNs can also help people with their passport applications and vehicle registrations. On the other hand, EINs are useful for businesses or business owners who want to apply for business products and services like a business bank account or business credit cards. They also help to keep expenses and tax filings separate from personal affairs. Businesses can also use their EINs to apply for specific business licenses should these be necessary for their day-to-day operations.
Why would I need to find an EIN?
You may need to find your own EIN if you have misplaced it and need to file tax returns or perform one of the above-mentioned processes for your business. It’s important to keep your own EIN safe as you may also be required to provide it to your clients or associated business parties.
You may also need to find another company’s EIN to confirm certain information about that company or to reconcile your own business accounts. An EIN is also important if you choose to enter into plans like a Keogh or Solo 401(k) retirement plan. These plans require you to provide an EIN. Getting on board with these plans is also useful if you decide to offer your current and future employees retirement plans with these schemes.
Do I need to apply for an EIN for my business?
Businesses that match certain criteria are required to have an EIN. The main criterion is if you choose to take on employees. Once you choose to hire others for your company, it becomes mandatory for you to have an EIN for your business. Having an EIN is highly beneficial to your business and boosts your professionalism and credibility in the business world, especially when dealing with clients and other business partners.
What is the best way to apply for an EIN?
If you find that you are in need of an EIN as a TIN, then you can simply apply through the IRS website or by phoning the IRS directly. There are also systems in place that allow you to apply via mail or fax by sending a completed SS-4 form to the IRS. If you urgently need an EIN, then the best way to apply for it is through the website, as the entire process only takes around 30 minutes of your time and will give you an EIN instantly.