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Categories: General Tax Terms

Employer Identification Number (EIN)

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to businesses for tax identification purposes. It is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number.

An EIN is used by employers to report taxes, manage employee payroll, and facilitate the identification of a business entity for various federal tax obligations. All types of businesses, including corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships, may be required to obtain an EIN, especially if they have employees or operate as a corporation or partnership.

For example, when a new business hires its first employee, it must apply for an EIN to report employment taxes to the IRS. This number is also necessary for opening a business bank account and filing tax returns.

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