Nearly Every Business In California Is Required To Apply For An EIN Number In Order To Hire Employees, Pay Taxes, And More. But if you already have an EIN, how do you find it?
The easiest way to find your company’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) in California is to locate a previously filed tax return for your business entity. All tax returns filed under your business name will contain your EIN.
Some California EIN numbers are considered public record, so the EIN California business search is accessible through the California Secretary of State.
Because private companies aren’t required to give out their EINs, however, EIN lookup services are the easiest way to find the EINs of private companies.
The employee identification number (EIN) is a unique nine-digit federal tax ID number that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), part of the Treasury Department of the US federal government, allocates to businesses operating within the United States for identification purposes.
Most types of business entities require EINs to legally pay and hire employees, open a business bank account, and take out a business credit card (trust banking). The IRS also requires this nine-digit number for you to file employment and excise tax returns.
EIN numbers are also known as:
EIN numbers for California businesses work much like EINs in the rest of the United States and are used primarily for tax purposes. Specifically, you’ll need an EIN number for the following reasons in California:
The easiest and most secure way to apply for an EIN number in California is through the IRS website, where you can access their Online Services Portal. Alternatively, you can apply via fax, postal mail, or telephone.
To apply, you must complete the mandatory Form SS-4. This form should contain details about your legal company name, mailing address, type of business, and reason for applying.
Generally speaking, an California State Tax ID is the same thing as a Federal EIN. They are both used by the IRS for California businesses, for employee identification and tax designation. The main difference is that a State Tax ID determines whether a business entity is required to pay state business tax.
| Purpose | Federal EIN | California State Tax ID |
|---|---|---|
| File a Tax Return | Yes | Yes |
| Open a Bank Account | Yes | No |
| Apply for Business Permits | Yes | Sometimes |
| Hire Employees | Yes | Yes |
| Employee Income Tax Withholding | No | Yes |
| Sales Tax Exemption Permits | No | Yes |
| Issued by | IRS (Federal) | California Dept. of Revenue |
Most types of California businesses require an EIN number. Some entity types can use a Social Security Number instead, but an EIN is strongly recommended for all businesses.
Tax-exempt organizations such as non-profits or private foundations need to apply for an EIN number if they have employees. The Employment Development Department allocates unemployment insurance, disability insurance, and paid family leave programs, and businesses with employees must register with them for tax purposes.
You can find business license information for any California business entity by performing a search on the Secretary of State website of the state or province where that corporation is registered.
The easiest way to obtain an EIN number is through the online application portal on the IRS website. Alternatively, you can apply through telephone, fax, or mail.
A Form SS-4 is mandatory for all EIN applications and must include your legal company name, mailing address, type of business, and reason for applying.
Visit the IRS website and use the online EIN application portal. The IRS Assistance Tool will guide you through the process. Results are issued immediately upon completion.
Municipalities in California distribute business licenses, so whether or not you need an EIN for a business is dependent on where your business is located. It will also depend on what type of business you have and what type of permit you need.
When applying for a business license, you’ll need a California tax ID number (unless you fit the exceptions above), additional contact information, a business type and structure, total number of employees, and projected annual sales.
To apply for a business license, visit the California Department Of Tax And Fee Administration (CDTFA).
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