SS-4 A pplication for Employer Identification Number

Form

SS-4

(Rev. January 2009)

Type or print clearly.

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

8a
8c
9a

Application for Employer Identification Number
(For use by employers, corporations, partnerships, trusts, estates, churches,
government agencies, Indian tribal entities, certain individuals, and others.)
©

©

See separate instructions for each line.

Keep a copy for your records.

1

Legal name of entity (or individual) for whom the EIN is being requested

2

Trade name of business (if different from name on line 1)

3

Executor, administrator, trustee, “care of” name

4a

Mailing address (room, apt., suite no. and street, or P.O. box)

5a

Street address (if different) (Do not enter a P.O. box.)

4b

City, state, and ZIP code (if foreign, see instructions)

5b

City, state, and ZIP code (if foreign, see instructions)

6

County and state where principal business is located

7a

Name of principal officer, general partner, grantor, owner, or trustor

Is this application for a limited liability company (LLC) (or
a foreign equivalent)?

Yes

7b

SSN, ITIN, or EIN

8b

If 8a is “Yes,” enter the number of
©
LLC members

No

No

Estate (SSN of decedent)

Partnership

Plan administrator (TIN)

Corporation (enter form number to be filed)

10

Yes

If 8a is “Yes,” was the LLC organized in the United States?
Type of entity (check only one box). Caution. If 8a is “Yes,” see the instructions for the correct box to check.
Sole proprietor (SSN)

9b

OMB No. 1545-0003
EIN

©

Trust (TIN of grantor)

Personal service corporation

National Guard

State/local government

Church or church-controlled organization

Farmers’ cooperative

Federal government/military

Other nonprofit organization (specify) ©
Other (specify) ©
If a corporation, name the state or foreign country
(if applicable) where incorporated
Reason for applying (check only one box)
Started new business (specify type)

State

REMIC
Indian tribal governments/enterprises
Group Exemption Number (GEN) if any ©
Foreign country

Banking purpose (specify purpose)

©

©

Changed type of organization (specify new type)

©

Purchased going business
Hired employees (Check the box and see line 13.)

Created a trust (specify type)

©

11

Compliance with IRS withholding regulations
Created a pension plan (specify type) ©
Other (specify) ©
Date business started or acquired (month, day, year). See instructions.
12 Closing month of accounting year

13

Highest number of employees expected in the next 12 months (enter -0- if none).

14

15
16

Do you expect your employment tax liability to be $1,000
or less in a full calendar year?
Yes
No (If you
Agricultural
Household
Other
expect to pay $4,000 or less in total wages in a full
calendar year, you can mark “Yes.”)
First date wages or annuities were paid (month, day, year). Note. If applicant is a withholding agent, enter date income will first be paid to
©
nonresident alien (month, day, year)
Check one box that best describes the principal activity of your business.
Construction

17
18

Rental & leasing

Transportation & warehousing
Finance & insurance

Health care & social assistance
Accommodation & food service

Wholesale-agent/broker
Retail
Wholesale-other

Real estate
Manufacturing
Other (specify)
Indicate principal line of merchandise sold, specific construction work done, products produced, or services provided.
Has the applicant entity shown on line 1 ever applied for and received an EIN?
If “Yes,” write previous EIN here ©

Yes

No

Complete this section only if you want to authorize the named individual to receive the entity’s EIN and answer questions about the completion of this form.

Third
Party
Designee

Designee’s name

Designee’s telephone number (include area code)

Address and ZIP code

Designee’s fax number (include area code)

(
(

Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this application, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true, correct, and complete.
Name and title (type or print clearly)

©

)
)

Applicant’s telephone number (include area code)

(

)

Applicant’s fax number (include area code)
Signature

©

Date

For Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see separate instructions.

©

(
Cat. No. 16055N

)
Form

SS-4

(Rev. 1-2009)

Form SS-4 (Rev. 1-2009)

Page

2

Do I Need an EIN?
File Form SS-4 if the applicant entity does not already have an EIN but is required to show an EIN on any return, statement,
or other document.1 See also the separate instructions for each line on Form SS-4.
IF the applicant...
Started a new business

AND...

Hired (or will hire) employees,
including household employees

Does not already have an EIN

Complete lines 1, 2, 4a–6, 7a–b (if applicable), 8a,
8b–c (if applicable), 9a, 9b (if applicable), 10–18.

Opened a bank account

Needs an EIN for banking purposes only

Complete lines 1–5b, 7a–b (if applicable), 8a, 8b–c
(if applicable), 9a, 9b (if applicable), 10, and 18.

Changed type of organization

Either the legal character of the organization or its
ownership changed (for example, you incorporate a
sole proprietorship or form a partnership) 2

Complete lines 1–18 (as applicable).

Does not already have an EIN
The trust is other than a grantor trust or an IRA
trust 4

Complete lines 1–18 (as applicable).
Complete lines 1–18 (as applicable).

Created a pension plan as a
plan administrator 5

Needs an EIN for reporting purposes

Complete lines 1, 3, 4a–5b, 9a, 10, and 18.

Is a foreign person needing an
EIN to comply with IRS
withholding regulations

Needs an EIN to complete a Form W-8 (other than
Form W-8ECI), avoid withholding on portfolio assets,
or claim tax treaty benefits 6

Complete lines 1–5b, 7a–b (SSN or ITIN optional),
8a, 8b–c (if applicable), 9a, 9b (if applicable), 10,
and 18.

Is administering an estate

Needs an EIN to report estate income on Form 1041

Complete lines 1–6, 9a, 10–12, 13–17 (if applicable),
and 18.

Is a withholding agent for
taxes on non-wage income
paid to an alien (i.e.,
individual, corporation, or
partnership, etc.)
Is a state or local agency

Is an agent, broker, fiduciary, manager, tenant, or
spouse who is required to file Form 1042, Annual
Withholding Tax Return for U.S. Source Income of
Foreign Persons

Complete lines 1, 2, 3 (if applicable), 4a–5b, 7a–b (if
applicable), 8a, 8b–c (if applicable), 9a, 9b (if
applicable), 10, and 18.

Serves as a tax reporting agent for public assistance
recipients under Rev. Proc. 80-4, 1980-1 C.B. 581 7

Complete lines 1, 2, 4a–5b, 9a, 10, and 18.

Is a single-member LLC

Needs an EIN to file Form 8832, Classification
Election, for filing employment tax returns and
excise tax returns, or for state reporting purposes 8

Complete lines 1–18 (as applicable).

Is an S corporation

Needs an EIN to file Form 2553, Election by a Small
Business Corporation 9

Complete lines 1–18 (as applicable).

Purchased a going business
Created a trust

Does not currently have (nor expect to have)
employees

3

THEN...
Complete lines 1, 2, 4a–8a, 8b–c (if applicable), 9a,
9b (if applicable), and 10–14 and 16–18.

1

For example, a sole proprietorship or self-employed farmer who establishes a qualified retirement plan, or is required to file excise, employment, alcohol,
tobacco, or firearms returns, must have an EIN. A partnership, corporation, REMIC (real estate mortgage investment conduit), nonprofit organization
(church, club, etc.), or farmers’ cooperative must use an EIN for any tax-related purpose even if the entity does not have employees.

2

However, do not apply for a new EIN if the existing entity only (a) changed its business name, (b) elected on Form 8832 to change the way it is taxed (or is
covered by the default rules), or (c) terminated its partnership status because at least 50% of the total interests in partnership capital and profits were sold or
exchanged within a 12-month period. The EIN of the terminated partnership should continue to be used. See Regulations section 301.6109-1(d)(2)(iii).
Do not use the EIN of the prior business unless you became the “owner” of a corporation by acquiring its stock.

3
4

However, grantor trusts that do not file using Optional Method 1 and IRA trusts that are required to file Form 990-T, Exempt Organization Business Income Tax
Return, must have an EIN. For more information on grantor trusts, see the Instructions for Form 1041.

5

A plan administrator is the person or group of persons specified as the administrator by the instrument under which the plan is operated.

6

Entities applying to be a Qualified Intermediary (QI) need a QI-EIN even if they already have an EIN. See Rev. Proc. 2000-12.

7

See also Household employer on page 4 of the instructions. Note. State or local agencies may need an EIN for other reasons, for example, hired employees.

8

See Disregarded entities on page 4 of the instructions for details on completing Form SS-4 for an LLC.

9

An existing corporation that is electing or revoking S corporation status should use its previously-assigned EIN.

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Instructions for Form SS-4

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

Instructions for Form SS-4

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

(Rev. January 2009)
Application for Employer Identification Number
Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless
otherwise noted.

What’s New
Disregarded entities. Beginning in 2008, disregarded
entities, including single-member limited liability companies
(LLCs) that are disregarded as separate from their owner
and qualified subchapter S subsidiaries, are required to file
certain excise tax returns using the disregarded entity’s
name and EIN rather than its owner’s name and EIN. This
new filing requirement for disregarded entities also applies
to employment tax returns, effective for wages paid on or
after January 1, 2009. Disregarded entities not previously
needing an EIN may now need to obtain an EIN for the
payment and reporting of these taxes. See Disregarded
entities on page 4 for details.

General Instructions
Use these instructions to complete Form SS-4, Application
for Employer Identification Number. Also see Do I Need an
EIN? on page 2 of Form SS-4.

Purpose of Form
Use Form SS-4 to apply for an employer identification
number (EIN). An EIN is a nine-digit number (for example,
12-3456789) assigned to sole proprietors, corporations,
partnerships, estates, trusts, and other entities for tax filing
and reporting purposes. The information you provide on this
form will establish your business tax account.

!

CAUTION

An EIN is for use in connection with your business
activities only. Do not use your EIN in place of your
social security number (SSN).

Reminders
Apply online. Generally, you can apply for and receive an
EIN online using the Internet. See How To Apply later.

!

CAUTION

This is a free service offered by the Internal Revenue
Service at www.irs.gov. Beware of websites on the
Internet that charge for this free service.

File only one Form SS-4. Generally, a sole proprietor
should file only one Form SS-4 and needs only one EIN,
regardless of the number of businesses operated as a sole
proprietorship or trade names under which a business
operates. However, if the proprietorship incorporates or
enters into a partnership, a new EIN is required. Also, each
corporation in an affiliated group must have its own EIN.
EIN applied for, but not received. If you do not have an
EIN by the time a return is due, write ‘‘Applied For’’ and the
date you applied in the space shown for the number. Do not
show your SSN as an EIN on returns.
If you do not have an EIN by the time a tax deposit is
due, send your payment to the Internal Revenue Service
Center for your filing area as shown in the instructions for
the form that you are filing. Make your check or money order
payable to the ‘‘United States Treasury’’ and show your

name (as shown on Form SS-4), address, type of tax, period
covered, and date you applied for an EIN.
Electronic filing and payment. Now, more than ever
before, businesses can enjoy the benefits of filing and
paying their federal taxes electronically. Whether you rely on
a tax professional or handle your own taxes, IRS offers you
convenient programs to make filing and paying easier.
Spend less time and worry on taxes and more time running
your business. Use e-file and the Electronic Federal Tax
Payment System (EFTPS) to your benefit.
• For e-file, visit www.irs.gov for additional information.
• For EFTPS, visit www.eftps.gov or call EFTPS Customer
Service at 1-800-555-4477, 1-800-733-4829 (TDD), or
1-800-244-4829 (Spanish).
Federal tax deposits. New employers that have a federal
tax obligation will be pre-enrolled in the Electronic Federal
Tax Payment System (EFTPS). EFTPS allows you to make
all of your federal tax payments online at www.eftps.gov or
by telephone. Shortly after we have assigned you your EIN,
you will receive instructions by mail for activating your
EFTPS enrollment. You will also receive an EFTPS
Personal Identification Number (PIN) that you will use to
make your payments, as well as instructions for obtaining an
Internet password you will need to make payments online.
If you are not required to make deposits by EFTPS, you
can use Form 8109, Federal Tax Deposit (FTD) Coupon, to
make deposits at an authorized depositary. If you would like
to receive Form 8109, call 1-800-829-4933. Allow 5 to 6
weeks for delivery. For more information on federal tax
deposits, see Pub. 15 (Circular E), Employer’s Tax Guide.

How To Apply
You can apply for an EIN online, by telephone, by fax, or by
mail depending on how soon you need to use the EIN. Use
only one method for each entity so you do not receive more
than one EIN for an entity.
Online. Taxpayers and authorized third party designees
located within the United States and U.S. possessions can
receive an EIN online and use it immediately to file a return
or make a payment. Go to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/
businesses and click on Employer ID Numbers.
Taxpayers who apply online have an option to view,

TIP print, and save their EIN assignment notice at the
end of the session. (Authorized third party designees
will receive the EIN but the notice will be mailed to the
applicant.)
Applicants who are not located within the United
States or U.S. possessions cannot use the online
CAUTION application to obtain an EIN. Please use one of the
other methods to apply.

!

Telephone. You can receive your EIN by telephone and
use it immediately to file a return or make a payment. Call
the IRS at 1-800-829-4933. The hours of operation are 7:00
a.m. to 10:00 p.m. local time (Pacific time for Alaska and
Hawaii). The person making the call must be authorized to
sign the form or be an authorized designee. See Third Party
Designee and Signature on page 6. Also see the TIP on
page 2.

Cat. No. 62736F

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Instructions for Form SS-4

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

Note. International applicants must call 215-516-6999.
If you are applying by telephone, it will be helpful to
complete Form SS-4 before contacting the IRS. An IRS
representative will use the information from the Form SS-4
to establish your account and assign you an EIN. Write the
number you are given on the upper right corner of the form
and sign and date it. Keep this copy for your records.
If requested by an IRS representative, mail or fax
(facsimile) the signed Form SS-4 (including any Third Party
Designee authorization) within 24 hours to the IRS address
provided by the IRS representative.

Tax Help for Your Business
IRS-sponsored Small Business Workshops provide
information about your federal and state tax obligations. For
information about workshops in your area, call
1-800-829-4933.

Related Forms and Publications
The following forms and instructions may be useful to filers
of Form SS-4.
• Form 990-T, Exempt Organization Business Income Tax
Return.
• Instructions for Form 990-T.
• Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Business.
• Schedule F (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Farming.
• Instructions for Form 1041 and Schedules A, B, D, G, I, J,
and K-1, U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts.
• Form 1042, Annual Withholding Tax Return for U.S.
Source Income of Foreign Persons.
• Instructions for Form 1065, U.S. Return of Partnership
Income.
• Instructions for Form 1066, U.S. Real Estate Mortgage
Investment Conduit (REMIC) Income Tax Return.
• Instructions for Forms 1120 and 1120-A.
• Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation.
• Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of
Representative.
• Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization.
• Form 8832, Entity Classification Election.
For more information about filing Form SS-4 and related
issues, see:
• Pub. 51 (Circular A), Agricultural Employer’s Tax Guide;
• Pub. 15 (Circular E), Employer’s Tax Guide;
• Pub. 538, Accounting Periods and Methods;
• Pub. 542, Corporations;
• Pub. 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization;
• Pub. 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records;
• Pub. 966, The Secure Way to Pay Your Federal Taxes for
Business and Individual Taxpayers;
• Pub. 1635, Understanding Your EIN;
• Package 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption
Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
• Package 1024, Application for Recognition of Exemption
Under Section 501(a).

Taxpayer representatives can apply for an EIN on

TIP behalf of their client and request that the EIN be
faxed to their client on the same day. Note. By using
this procedure, you are authorizing the IRS to fax the EIN
without a cover sheet.
Fax. Under the Fax-TIN program, you can receive your EIN
by fax within 4 business days. Complete and fax Form SS-4
to the IRS using the appropriate Fax-TIN number listed
below. A long-distance charge to callers outside of the local
calling area will apply. Fax-TIN numbers can only be used to
apply for an EIN. The numbers may change without notice.
Fax-TIN is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Be sure to provide your fax number so the IRS can fax
the EIN back to you.
Note. By using this procedure, you are authorizing the IRS
to fax the EIN without a cover sheet.
Mail. Complete Form SS-4 at least 4 to 5 weeks before you
will need an EIN. Sign and date the application and mail it to
the service center address for your state. You will receive
your EIN in the mail in approximately 4 weeks. See also
Third Party Designee on page 6.
Call 1-800-829-4933 to verify a number or to ask about
the status of an application by mail.

Where to File or Fax
If your principal business,
office or agency, or legal
residence in the case of an
individual, is located in:
One of the 50 states or the
District of Columbia

File or fax with the “Internal
Revenue Service Center”
at:
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999

Specific Instructions
Print or type all entries on Form SS-4. Follow the
instructions for each line to expedite processing and to avoid
unnecessary IRS requests for additional information. Enter
“N/A” (nonapplicable) on the lines that do not apply.
Line 1. Legal name of entity (or individual) for whom the
EIN is being requested. Enter the legal name of the entity
(or individual) applying for the EIN exactly as it appears on
the social security card, charter, or other applicable legal
document. An entry is required.
Individuals. Enter your first name, middle initial, and
last name. If you are a sole proprietor, enter your individual
name, not your business name. Enter your business name
on line 2. Do not use abbreviations or nicknames on line 1.
Trusts. Enter the name of the trust as it appears on the
trust instrument.
Estate of a decedent. Enter the name of the estate. For
an estate that has no legal name, enter the name of the
decedent followed by “Estate.”
Partnerships. Enter the legal name of the partnership
as it appears in the partnership agreement.
Corporations. Enter the corporate name as it appears
in the corporate charter or other legal document creating it.

Fax-TIN: 859-669-5760
If you have no legal
residence, principal place of
business, or principal office
or agency in any state:

Attn: EIN Operation
Philadelphia, PA 19255
Fax-TIN: 215-516-1040

How To Get Forms and Publications
Internet. You can access the IRS website 24 hours a day,
7 days a week at www.irs.gov to download forms,
instructions, and publications.
Phone. Call 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676) to order
forms, instructions, and publications. You should receive
your order or notification of its status within 10 workdays.
DVD for Tax Products. For small businesses, return
preparers, or others who may frequently need tax forms or
publications, a DVD containing over 2,000 tax products
(including many prior year forms) can be purchased from the
National Technical Information Service (NTIS).
To order Pub.1796, IRS Tax Products CD, call
1-877-233-6767 or connect to www.irs.gov/cdorders.

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Instructions for Form SS-4

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

Plan administrators. Enter the name of the plan
administrator. A plan administrator who already has an EIN
should use that number.
Line 2. Trade name of business. Enter the trade name of
the business if different from the legal name. The trade
name is the ‘‘doing business as’’ (DBA) name.

By default, a domestic LLC with only one member is
disregarded as an entity separate from its owner and must
include all of its income and expenses on the owner’s tax
return (for example, Schedule C (Form 1040)). Also by
default, a domestic LLC with two or more members is
treated as a partnership. A domestic LLC may file Form
8832 to avoid either default classification and elect to be
classified as an association taxable as a corporation. For
more information on entity classifications (including the rules
for foreign entities), see the instructions for Form 8832.
If the answer to line 8a is “Yes,” enter the number of LLC
members. If the LLC is owned solely by a husband and wife
in a community property state and the husband and wife
choose to treat the entity as a disregarded entity, enter “1”
on line 8b.

Use the full legal name shown on line 1 on all tax
returns filed for the entity. (However, if you enter a
CAUTION trade name on line 2 and choose to use the trade
name instead of the legal name, enter the trade name on all
returns you file.) To prevent processing delays and errors,
always use the legal name only (or the trade name only) on
all tax returns.
Line 3. Executor, administrator, trustee, ‘‘care of’’ name.
Trusts enter the name of the trustee. Estates enter the name
of the executor, administrator, or other fiduciary. If the entity
applying has a designated person to receive tax information,
enter that person’s name as the ‘‘care of’’ person. Enter the
individual’s first name, middle initial, and last name.
Lines 4a – b. Mailing address. Enter the mailing address
for the entity’s correspondence. If the entity’s address is
outside the United States or its possessions, you must enter
the city, province or state, postal code, and the name of the
country. Do not abbreviate the country name. If line 3 is
completed, enter the address for the executor, trustee or
“care of” person. Generally, this address will be used on all
tax returns.
If the entity is filing the Form SS-4 only to obtain an EIN
for the Form 8832, use the same address where you would
like to have the acceptance or nonacceptance letter sent.

!

Do not file Form 8832 if the LLC accepts the default
classifications above. If the LLC is eligible to be
CAUTION treated as a corporation that meets certain tests and
it will be electing S corporation status, it must timely file
Form 2553. The LLC will be treated as a corporation as of
the effective date of the S corporation election and does not
need to file Form 8832. See the Instructions for Form 2553.
Line 9a. Type of entity. Check the box that best describes
the type of entity applying for the EIN. If you are an alien
individual with an ITIN previously assigned to you, enter the
ITIN in place of a requested SSN.

!

!

This is not an election for a tax classification of an
entity. See Disregarded entities on page 4.

CAUTION

Sole proprietor. Check this box if you file Schedule C,
C-EZ, or F (Form 1040) and have a qualified plan, or are
required to file excise, employment, alcohol, tobacco, or
firearms returns, or are a payer of gambling winnings. Enter
your SSN (or ITIN) in the space provided. If you are a
nonresident alien with no effectively connected income from
sources within the United States, you do not need to enter
an SSN or ITIN.
Corporation. This box is for any corporation other than
a personal service corporation. If you check this box, enter
the income tax form number to be filed by the entity in the
space provided.

File Form 8822, Change of Address, to report any
TIP subsequent changes to the entity’s mailing address.
Lines 5a – b. Street address. Provide the entity’s physical
address only if different from its mailing address shown in
lines 4a – b. Do not enter a P.O. box number here. If the
entity’s address is outside the United States or its
possessions, you must enter the city, province or state,
postal code, and the name of the country. Do not abbreviate
the country name.
Line 6. County and state where principal business is
located. Enter the entity’s primary physical location.
Lines 7a – b. Name of principal officer, general partner,
grantor, owner, or trustor. Enter the first name, middle
initial, last name, and SSN of (a) the principal officer if the
business is a corporation, (b) a general partner if a
partnership, (c) the owner of an entity that is disregarded as
separate from its owner (disregarded entities owned by a
corporation enter the corporation’s name and EIN), or (d) a
grantor, owner, or trustor if a trust.
If the person in question is an alien individual with a
previously assigned individual taxpayer identification
number (ITIN), enter the ITIN in the space provided and
submit a copy of an official identifying document. If
necessary, complete Form W-7, Application for IRS
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, to obtain an ITIN.
You must enter an SSN, ITIN, or EIN unless the only
reason you are applying for an EIN is to make an entity
classification election (see Regulations sections 301.7701-1
through 301.7701-3) and you are a nonresident alien or
other foreign entity with no effectively connected income
from sources within the United States.
Lines 8a – c. Limited liability company (LLC) information.
An LLC is an entity organized under the laws of a state or
foreign country as a limited liability company. For federal tax
purposes, an LLC may be treated as a partnership or
corporation or be disregarded as an entity separate from its
owner.

If you entered “1120S” after the “Corporation”
checkbox, the corporation must file Form 2553 no
CAUTION later than the 15th day of the 3rd month of the tax
year the election is to take effect. Until Form 2553 has been
received and approved, you will be considered a Form 1120
filer. See the Instructions for Form 2553.
Personal service corporation. Check this box if the
entity is a personal service corporation. An entity is a
personal service corporation for a tax year only if:
• The principal activity of the entity during the testing period
(prior tax year) for the tax year is the performance of
personal services substantially by employee-owners, and
• The employee-owners own at least 10% of the fair market
value of the outstanding stock in the entity on the last day of
the testing period.
Personal services include performance of services in
such fields as health, law, accounting, or consulting. For
more information about personal service corporations, see
the Instructions for Forms 1120 and 1120-A and Pub. 542.

!

If the corporation is recently formed, the testing
period begins on the first day of its tax year and ends
CAUTION on the earlier of the last day of its tax year, or the last
day of the calendar year in which its tax year begins.
Other nonprofit organization. Check this box if the
nonprofit organization is other than a church or
church-controlled organization and specify the type of

!

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Instructions for Form SS-4

7:37 - 21-JAN-2009

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

nonprofit organization (for example, an educational
organization).

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CAUTION

A disregarded entity must have an EIN if it is subject to
employment taxes or certain excise taxes. For wages paid
during 2008 and in prior years, the reporting and payment of
employment taxes for employees could be made using the
name and EIN of either the owner or the disregarded entity
(as explained in Notice 99-6, 1999-3 I.R.B. 12). For wages
paid on or after January 1, 2009, the disregarded entity is
required to use its name and EIN for reporting and payment
of employment taxes. A disregarded entity is also required
to use its name and EIN to register for excise tax activities
on Form 637, pay and report excise taxes reported on
Forms 720, 730, 2290, and 11-C, and claim any refunds,
credits, and payments on Form 8849. This requirement for
reporting and paying excise taxes became effective after
December 31, 2007. See the instructions for the
employment and excise tax returns for more information.

If the organization also seeks tax-exempt status, you
must file either Package 1023 or Package 1024. See
Pub. 557 for more information.

If the organization is covered by a group exemption letter,
enter the four-digit group exemption number (GEN) in the
last entry. (Do not confuse the GEN with the nine-digit EIN.)
If you do not know the GEN, contact the parent organization.
Get Pub. 557 for more information about group exemption
numbers.
If the organization is a section 527 political organization,
check the box for Other nonprofit organization and specify
“section 527 organization” in the space to the right. To be
recognized as exempt from tax, a section 527 political
organization must electronically file Form 8871, Political
Organization Notice of Section 527 Status, within 24 hours
of the date on which the organization was established. The
organization may also have to file Form 8872, Political
Organization Report of Contributions and Expenditures. See
www.irs.gov/polorgs for more information.
Plan administrator. If the plan administrator is an
individual, enter the plan administrator’s taxpayer
identification number (TIN) in the space provided.
REMIC. Check this box if the entity has elected to be
treated as a real estate mortgage investment conduit
(REMIC). See the Instructions for Form 1066 for more
information.
State/local government. If you are a government
employer and you are not sure of your social security and
Medicare coverage options, go to www.ncsssa.org/
ssaframes.html to obtain the contact information for your
state’s Social Security Administrator.
Other. If not specifically listed, check the ‘‘Other’’ box,
enter the type of entity and the type of return, if any, that will
be filed (for example, “Common Trust Fund, Form 1065” or
“Created a Pension Plan”). Do not enter “N/A.” If you are an
alien individual applying for an EIN, see the Lines 7a – b
instructions on page 3.
• Household employer. If you are an individual that will
employ someone to provide services in your household,
check the ‘‘Other’’ box and enter ‘‘Household Employer’’ and
your SSN. If you are a trust that qualifies as a household
employer, you do not need a separate EIN for reporting tax
information relating to household employees; use the EIN of
the trust.
• Household employer agent. If you are an agent of a
household employer that is a disabled individual or other
welfare recipient receiving home care services through a
state or local program, check the “Other” box and enter
“Household Employer Agent.” (See Rev. Proc. 80-4, 1980-1
C.B. 581 and Notice 2003-70, 2003-43 I.R.B. 916.) If you
are a state or local government also check the box for state/
local government.
• QSub. For a qualified subchapter S subsidiary (QSub)
check the ‘‘Other’’ box and specify ‘‘QSub.’’
• Withholding agent. If you are a withholding agent
required to file Form 1042, check the ‘‘Other’’ box and enter
‘‘Withholding Agent.’’
Disregarded entities. A disregarded entity is an eligible
entity that is disregarded as separate from its owner for
federal income tax purposes. Disregarded entities include
single-member limited liability companies (LLCs) that are
disregarded as separate from their owners, qualified
subchapter S subsidiaries (qualified subsidiaries of an S
corporation), and certain qualified foreign entities. See the
instructions for Form 8832 and Regulations section
301.7701-3 for more information on domestic and foreign
disregarded entities.

Complete Form SS-4 for disregarded entities as follows.

• If a disregarded entity is filing Form SS-4 to obtain an EIN

because it is required to report and pay employment and
excise taxes (see above) or for non-federal purposes such
as a state requirement, check the “Other” box for line 9a and
write “disregarded entity” (or “disregarded entity-sole
proprietorship” if the owner of the disregarded entity is an
individual).
• If the disregarded entity is requesting an EIN for purposes
of filing Form 8832 to elect classification as an association
taxable as a corporation, or Form 2553 to elect classification
as an association and S corporation status, check the
“Corporation” box for line 9a and write “single-member” and
the form number of the return that will be filed (Form 1120 or
1120S).
• If the disregarded entity is requesting an EIN because it
has acquired one or more additional owners and its
classification has changed to partnership under the default
rules of Regulations section 301.7701-3(f), check the
“Partnership” box for line 9a.
For more reporting information, see Treasury Decision
(T.D.) 9356, available at www.irs.gov/irb/2007-39_IRB/
ar11.html.
Line 10. Reason for applying. Check only one box. Do
not enter “N/A.” A selection is required.
Started new business. Check this box if you are
starting a new business that requires an EIN. If you check
this box, enter the type of business being started. Do not
apply if you already have an EIN and are only adding
another place of business.
Hired employees. Check this box if the existing
business is requesting an EIN because it has hired or is
hiring employees and is therefore required to file
employment tax returns. Do not apply if you already have an
EIN and are only hiring employees. For information on
employment taxes (for example, for family members), see
Pub. 15 (Circular E).
You may have to make electronic deposits of all
depository taxes (such as employment tax, excise
CAUTION tax, and corporate income tax) using the Electronic
Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS). See Federal tax
deposits on page 1; section 11, Depositing Taxes, of Pub.
15 (Circular E); and Pub. 966.
Banking purpose. Check this box if you are requesting
an EIN for banking purposes only, and enter the banking
purpose (for example, a bowling league for depositing dues
or an investment club for dividend and interest reporting).
Changed type of organization. Check this box if the
business is changing its type of organization. For example,
the business was a sole proprietorship and has been
incorporated or has become a partnership. If you check this
box, specify in the space provided (including available space

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Instructions for Form SS-4

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• It can establish a business purpose for having a different

immediately below) the type of change made. For example,
‘‘From Sole Proprietorship to Partnership.’’
Purchased going business. Check this box if you
purchased an existing business. Do not use the former
owner’s EIN unless you became the “owner” of a
corporation by acquiring its stock.
Created a trust. Check this box if you created a trust,
and enter the type of trust created. For example, indicate if
the trust is a nonexempt charitable trust or a split-interest
trust.
Exception. Do not file this form for certain grantor-type
trusts. The trustee does not need an EIN for the trust if the
trustee furnishes the name and TIN of the grantor/owner
and the address of the trust to all payers. However, grantor
trusts that do not file using Optional Method 1 and IRA trusts
that are required to file Form 990-T, Exempt Organization
Business Income Tax Return, must have an EIN. For more
information on grantor trusts, see the Instructions for Form
1041.

tax year.

• It elects under section 444 to have a tax year other than a

calendar year.
Trusts. Generally, a trust must adopt a calendar year
except for the following trusts.
• Tax-exempt trusts.
• Charitable trusts.
• Grantor-owned trusts.
Line 13. Highest number of employees expected in the
next 12 months. Complete each box by entering the
number (including zero (“-0-”)) of “Agricultural,” “Household,”
or “Other” employees expected by the applicant in the next
12 months.
Line 14. Do you expect your employment tax liability to
be $1,000 or less in a full calendar year? Check the
appropriate box to indicate if you expect your annual tax
liability to be $1,000 or less in a full calendar year.
Generally, if you pay $4,000 or less in wages subject to
social security and Medicare taxes and federal income tax
withholding, you are likely to pay $1,000 or less in
employment taxes.

Do not check this box if you are applying for a trust

TIP EIN when a new pension plan is established. Check
‘‘Created a pension plan.’’

For employers in the U.S. possessions, generally, if

Created a pension plan. Check this box if you have
created a pension plan and need an EIN for reporting
purposes. Also, enter the type of plan in the space provided.

TIP you pay $6,536 or less in wages subject to social
security and Medicare taxes, you are likely to pay
$1,000 or less in employment taxes.
For more information on employment taxes, see Pub. 15
(Circular E); or Pub. 51 (Circular A) if you have agricultural
employees (farmworkers).
Line 15. First date wages or annuities were paid. If the
business has employees, enter the date on which the
business began to pay wages. If the business does not plan
to have employees, enter “N/A.”
Withholding agent. Enter the date you began or will
begin to pay income (including annuities) to a nonresident
alien. This also applies to individuals who are required to file
Form 1042 to report alimony paid to a nonresident alien.
Line 16. Check the one box on line 16 that best describes
the principal activity of the applicant’s business. Check the
“Other” box (and specify the applicant’s principal activity) if
none of the listed boxes applies. You must check a box.
Construction. Check this box if the applicant is
engaged in erecting buildings or engineering projects (for
example, streets, highways, bridges, tunnels). The term
“Construction” also includes special trade contractors (for
example, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, carpentry, concrete,
excavation, etc. contractors).
Real estate. Check this box if the applicant is engaged
in renting or leasing real estate to others; managing, selling,
buying, or renting real estate for others; or providing related
real estate services (for example, appraisal services). Also
check this box for mortgage real estate investment trusts
(REITS). Mortgage REITS are engaged in issuing shares of
funds consisting primarily of portfolios of real estate
mortgage assets with gross income of the trust solely
derived from interest earned.
Rental and leasing. Check this box if the applicant is
engaged in providing tangible goods such as autos,
computers, consumer goods, or industrial machinery and
equipment to customers in return for a periodic rental or
lease payment. Also check this box for equity real estate
investment trusts (REITS). Equity REITS are engaged in
issuing shares of funds consisting primarily of portfolios of
real estate assets with gross income of the trust derived
from renting real property.
Manufacturing. Check this box if the applicant is
engaged in the mechanical, physical, or chemical
transformation of materials, substances, or components into

Check this box if you are applying for a trust EIN

TIP when a new pension plan is established. In addition,
check the “Other” box on line 9a and write “Created
a Pension Plan” in the space provided.
Other. Check this box if you are requesting an EIN for
any other reason; and enter the reason. For example, a
newly-formed state government entity should enter
“Newly-Formed State Government Entity” in the space
provided.
Line 11. Date business started or acquired. If you are
starting a new business, enter the starting date of the
business. If the business you acquired is already operating,
enter the date you acquired the business. If you are
changing the form of ownership of your business, enter the
date the new ownership entity began. Trusts should enter
the date the trust was funded. Estates should enter the date
of death of the decedent whose name appears on line 1 or
the date when the estate was legally funded.
Line 12. Closing month of accounting year. Enter the
last month of your accounting year or tax year. An
accounting or tax year is usually 12 consecutive months,
either a calendar year or a fiscal year (including a period of
52 or 53 weeks). A calendar year is 12 consecutive months
ending on December 31. A fiscal year is either 12
consecutive months ending on the last day of any month
other than December or a 52-53 week year. For more
information on accounting periods, see Pub. 538.
Individuals. Your tax year generally will be a calendar
year.
Partnerships. Partnerships must adopt one of the
following tax years.
• The tax year of the majority of its partners.
• The tax year common to all of its principal partners.
• The tax year that results in the least aggregate deferral of
income.
• In certain cases, some other tax year.
See the Instructions for Form 1065 for more information.
REMICs. REMICs must have a calendar year as their
tax year.
Personal service corporations. A personal service
corporation generally must adopt a calendar year unless it
meets one of the following requirements.

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Instructions for Form SS-4

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

new products. The assembling of component parts of
manufactured products is also considered to be
manufacturing.
Transportation & warehousing. Check this box if the
applicant provides transportation of passengers or cargo;
warehousing or storage of goods; scenic or sight-seeing
transportation; or support activities related to transportation.
Finance & insurance. Check this box if the applicant is
engaged in transactions involving the creation, liquidation, or
change of ownership of financial assets and/or facilitating
such financial transactions; underwriting annuities/insurance
policies; facilitating such underwriting by selling insurance
policies; or by providing other insurance or employee-benefit
related services.
Health care & social assistance. Check this box if the
applicant is engaged in providing physical, medical, or
psychiatric care or providing social assistance activities such
as youth centers, adoption agencies, individual/family
services, temporary shelters, daycare, etc.
Accommodation & food services. Check this box if
the applicant is engaged in providing customers with
lodging, meal preparation, snacks, or beverages for
immediate consumption.
Wholesale – agent/broker. Check this box if the
applicant is engaged in arranging for the purchase or sale of
goods owned by others or purchasing goods on a
commission basis for goods traded in the wholesale market,
usually between businesses.
Wholesale – other. Check this box if the applicant is
engaged in selling goods in the wholesale market generally
to other businesses for resale on their own account, goods
used in production, or capital or durable nonconsumer
goods.
Retail. Check this box if the applicant is engaged in
selling merchandise to the general public from a fixed store;
by direct, mail-order, or electronic sales; or by using vending
machines.
Other. Check this box if the applicant is engaged in an
activity not described above. Describe the applicant’s
principal business activity in the space provided.
Line 17. Use line 17 to describe the applicant’s principal
line of business in more detail. For example, if you checked
the “Construction” box on line 16, enter additional detail
such as “General contractor for residential buildings” on line
17. An entry is required. For mortgage REITS indicate
mortgage REIT and for equity REITS indicate what type of
real property is the principal type (residential REIT,
nonresidential REIT, miniwarehouse REIT).
Line 18. Check the applicable box to indicate whether or
not the applicant entity applying for an EIN was issued one
previously.
Third Party Designee. Complete this section only if you
want to authorize the named individual to receive the entity’s
EIN and answer questions about the completion of Form
SS-4. The designee’s authority terminates at the time the
EIN is assigned and released to the designee. You must
complete the signature area for the authorization to be valid.
Signature. When required, the application must be signed
by (a) the individual, if the applicant is an individual, (b) the
president, vice president, or other principal officer, if the
applicant is a corporation, (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 duly-authorized person (for example, division
manager) sign Form SS-4.
Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice. We
ask for the information on this form to carry out the Internal
Revenue laws of the United States. We need it to comply
with section 6109 and the regulations thereunder, which
generally require the inclusion of an employer identification
number (EIN) on certain returns, statements, or other
documents filed with the Internal Revenue Service. If your
entity is required to obtain an EIN, you are required to
provide all of the information requested on this form.
Information on this form may be used to determine which
federal tax returns you are required to file and to provide you
with related forms and publications.
We disclose this form to the Social Security
Administration (SSA) for their use in determining compliance
with applicable laws. We may give this information to the
Department of Justice for use in civil and/or criminal
litigation, and to cities, states, the District of Columbia, and
U.S. commonwealths and possessions for use in
administering their tax laws. We may also disclose this
information to other countries under a tax treaty, to federal
and state agencies to enforce federal nontax criminal laws,
and to federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to
combat terrorism.
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 information could subject you to
penalties.
You are not required to provide the information requested
on a form that is subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act
unless the form displays a valid OMB control number. Books
or records relating to a form or its instructions must be
retained as long as their contents may become material in
the administration of any Internal Revenue law. Generally,
tax returns and return information are confidential, as
required by section 6103. Section 6109 requires paid
preparers to provide their identifying number.
The time needed to complete and file this form will vary
depending on individual circumstances. The estimated
average time is:
Recordkeeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Learning about the law or the form . . . . . . .
Preparing the form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Copying, assembling, and sending the form
to the IRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8 hrs., 36 min.
42 min.
52 min.
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If you have comments concerning the accuracy of these
time estimates or suggestions for making this form simpler,
we would be happy to hear from you. You can write to
Internal Revenue Service, Tax Products Coordinating
Committee, SE:W:CAR:MP:T:T:SP, IR-6526, 1111
Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20224. Do not
send the form to this address. Instead, see Where to File or
Fax on page 2.

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