Obtain a C-Corporation Tax ID (EIN) Number | Online EIN Application
When you incorporate a business, you establish the business as a separate entity from yourself. That means that the business itself is liable for its debts and legal concerns, and you are not personally liable for those issues. In other words, your business structure protects your personal assets. In this vein, the main two options are S-corporations and C-corporations. As a general rule of thumb, relatively small businesses tend to become S-corporations, while larger businesses become C-corporations, but of course, there are exceptions to this rule. If your business is a C-corporation, you need to apply for a C-corporation Tax ID (EIN) Number online or through one of the other application options. To help you prepare for the process, here’s a look at the details.
Steps to getting a C-Corporation Tax ID (EIN) Number
- Prepare Business Owner Information
- Apply for a C-Corporation Tax ID (EIN) Number Online
- Apply for a C-Corporation Tax ID (EIN) Number by Phone, Mail or Fax
- How Do I Get a Corporation Tax ID Number?
- How Do I Get a Tax ID Number for a Small Business?
- What is the Difference Between a Corporate ID Number and a Corporation Tax ID Number?
1. Prepare Business Owner Information
To apply for a C-corporation tax ID number, you should start by gathering the information you need on your application. To prepare business owner information, make sure that you have your personal details such as your Social Security Number (SSN), address, and phone number. If the C-corporation has multiple owners or shareholders, you may need details from them as well. You also need your business name and your business activities as well as contact details (address, phone number, email address, fax number, etc.).
2. Apply for a C-Corporation Tax ID (EIN) Number Online
If you want your tax ID number as quickly as possible, you should apply for a C-corporation tax ID (EIN) number online. With the online application process, you simply need to gather a few details about yourself and your business. Then, you need to fill out the online application. As soon as everything is submitted, the processing starts, and in most cases, you receive your C-corporation EIN the same day. At that point, you can start using your number immediately on tax forms, loan applications, and other documents.
3. Apply for a C-Corporation Tax ID (EIN) Number by Phone, Mail or Fax
If you are an international applicant, you can apply for your C-corporation tax ID number over the phone. As of 2019, if you apply over the phone, you need to call between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday. You can’t apply on the weekend or in the middle of the night.
Applicants who are U.S. residents or whose businesses are based in the United States can apply over fax or through the mail. In both cases, you need to ensure that all the details you submit are correct, or you may face delays in the processing time. If everything is submitted correctly, you can receive an EIN over fax within about four business days as long as you remember to include your fax number. If you use the mail, you should expect the process to take up to four weeks. Due to these time constraints, most small businesses apply for a Tax ID number online.
4. How Do I Get a Corporation Tax ID Number?
As explained above, if you’re wondering, “How do I get a corporation tax ID number?” The answer is fairly straightforward – you can apply for a C-corporation tax ID (EIN) number by phone, mail or fax, but the best option is usually to apply online.
When you apply for a tax ID online, you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home or office. You can complete the process at your leisure, even while fielding business calls or taking care of your children. You don’t have to drive anywhere, you don’t have to stand in lines, and most importantly, you don’t have to wait for your new EIN number to be mailed or faxed back to you.
5. How Do I Get a Tax ID Number for a Small Business?
Are you wondering, “How do I get a tax ID number for a small business?” Here’s a quick overview of the steps. To obtain your tax ID, you need to prepare your information. Then, you need to decide if you want to apply through the mail, over fax, or using an online application. If you are an international applicant, you may be required to apply for an EIN over the phone.
On the application, you have to note your business structure. That may be a sole proprietorship, a corporation, a personal service corporation, or a partnership. However, you can also apply for an EIN for a non-profit organization, a church-controlled organization, an estate, a trust, a farmer’s cooperative, or select other entities. In all cases, you need to select this structure before you apply.
If you don’t use the calendar year as your accounting year, you need to know your business’s closing month. You should also have a sense of whether or not your employment tax liability is going to be over $1,000 in the upcoming year – if you are over or under that threshold, your filing requirements differ. Then, you simply enter these details, hit apply, and wait for your EIN to be delivered to you as quickly as possible.
6. What is the Difference Between a Corporate ID Number and a Corporation Tax ID Number?
When you run a business, you may end up using a range of different numbers. To help you understand which numbers you need, you should learn what is the difference between a corporate ID number and a corporation tax ID number. In some cases, these phrases can be used interchangeably, but in most cases, a corporate ID number refers to a business number you receive when you incorporate your business. Generally, that number is issued by your state government, and you may end up using that number on state tax forms, legal documents, and banking paperwork.
In contrast, a corporation tax ID number usually refers to the identification number issued by the federal government. Also called an Employer Identification Number (EIN), this number is required on a range of tax forms including sales and excise tax forms, corporate income tax returns, and payroll tax forms.