Massachusetts Tax ID (EIN) Number Application

Applying for a Tax ID (EIN) Number in Massachusetts? Learn more about how to apply online using this short Massachusetts Tax ID Application Guide. You will need to provide some personal information about each of your partners, even if you’re a Non-Profit, Corporation, Estate of Deceased, Trust, Partnership or multi-member LLC. Get more guidance on applying for your official Tax ID (EIN) Number in Massachusetts.

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Steps to Obtain your Tax ID (EIN) Number in Massachusetts:

  1. Prepare Required Information
  2. Apply for a Massachusetts Tax ID Online
  3. Apply for a Massachusetts Tax ID by Phone, Mail or Fax
  4. How Do I Get a Massachusetts Tax ID Number?
  5. How Do I Get a Resale Tax ID Number?
  6. How Do I Get a Massachusetts State Tax ID Number?

1. Prepare Required Information

The first thing you’ll want to do is prepare the information you’ll need while filling out your tax ID application. This process registers your business with the government, so you’ll need to provide all the right details, and you’ll be able to provide them more efficiently if you gather those details in advance. First, you’ll need the full legal names and addresses of all your founding members, which includes you and all your business partners. You’ll also need everyone’s social security numbers. Finally, you’ll need a business name to serve as the legal name for your business.

2. Apply for a Massachusetts Tax ID Online

Once you have all those details, you’ll be ready to apply for your tax ID. There are several ways to approach the application process, but not all of them are equal in terms of efficiency, approachability, or speed. Traditional methods like applying by phone, mail, or fax are terribly slow, which can put your business on hold if you follow through with them. It’s universally better to apply for your tax ID online.

You can apply for a tax ID on any device with an internet connection, making it approachable and accessible for practically anyone. Through this method, you’ll be able to fill out the questionnaire online, which should only take you 5 minutes or so to complete. One you’re done with the application, you’ll be emailed your tax ID number, which should be available in less than an hour. That way, you can get your business up and running as quickly as possible.

3. Apply for Massachusetts Tax ID by Phone, Mail or Fax

If you aren’t interested in applying for a tax ID online, you can also apply over the phone. In this method, you’ll provide the same details in an interview format in a phone conversation. You can also apply with a paper application, filling out the details manually, then mailing or faxing it in. These methods are less convenient, and usually take longer. When you’re done with the application, it can take up to 4 to 6 weeks to receive your tax ID via traditional mail. There are no real advantages to any of these methods.

4. How Do I Get a Massachusetts Tax ID Number?

You may need one or both of two different kinds of tax ID numbers. In general, the term “tax ID” refers to your federal tax ID, a unique identifying number that registers your business with the federal government. This is also called an employer identification number (EIN). You’ll need this number if you’re going to hire employees, if you’re going to create a business bank account or build business credit, if your business has more than one founding member, or if you’re going to apply for a business license or permit. You can get this number by following the steps above; once you have the right pieces of information, you can fill out the online application in a matter of minutes, and get your tax ID emailed to you in less than an hour.

You may also need a Massachusetts state tax ID number, which applies at the state level. It, too, is a unique identifying number, but it’s a different format and serves a different purpose than your federal tax ID number. You’ll need one of these if you’re going to hire employees in the state of Massachusetts, if you’re selling taxable goods and services in Massachusetts, or if you’re going to owe excise taxes in Massachusetts for certain types of regulated goods.

5. How Do I Get a Resale Tax ID Number?

You may have heard that you need a resale tax ID number for your business. This term actually refers to your Massachusetts state tax ID number, rather than a separate number. If you think you need a Massachusetts resale tax ID number, you’ll probably need a Massachusetts state tax ID number.

Remember, you’ll need a Massachusetts state tax ID number if you’re going to hire employees in Massachusetts, if you’re selling taxable products and services in the state, or if you’re going to owe excise taxes. If you need this number, you’re going to need to apply for it separately, and in addition to applying for your federal tax ID number. These two numbers are not interchangeable, and most businesses in the state of Massachusetts are going to need both to operate legally.

6. How Do I Get a Massachusetts State Tax ID Number?

If you determine that your business needs a Massachusetts state tax ID, you’re going to follow an application process similar to the one you followed to get your federal tax ID. You’ll also need to get a federal tax ID first, so you can complete the application process.

Like with your federal tax ID, the fastest and easiest way to get a Massachusetts state tax ID number is to apply for it online. You’ll be able to find and fill out the application quite easily so long as you have a device with an internet connection, and since you’ll be providing many of the same details, completing the application shouldn’t take long. However, you should know that waiting for your Massachusetts state tax ID will probably take longer than your federal tax ID. In fact, even if you’re applying online, it could take up to 4 to 6 weeks to receive your Massachusetts state tax ID by mail.

Written by Maurice Mallory