Employer ID Number (EIN)
Definition: An Employer ID Number (EIN) is a number assigned to a business by the IRS to identify the business for purposes of taxation. A business must include its EIN on bank account applications, income tax forms, and employment tax reports and payments. An Ein for a business serves the same purposes as a Social Security number for an individual. The term “Employer ID Number” is something of a misnomer, because even businesses without employees may need an EIN. It is alternatively called a “Tax ID Number” or just “Tax ID”. A business uses IRS Form SS-4 to apply for an Employee ID Number. This form can be completed online or by phone or mail.
