How to locate a company’s EIN (Employer Identification Number)

As a company manager, you know how important it is to keep track of your business’s legal documents. One such document that you should always have on hand is your Employer Identification Number (EIN). An EIN is a nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to businesses operating in the United States. It is used to identify the business for tax purposes, and it is required for opening a bank account or applying for credit.

Why You Need an Employer Identification Number

Before we dive into the steps for locating your company’s EIN, let’s first understand why you need one in the first place. An EIN is required for many reasons, including:

• Opening a bank account: Most banks require an EIN to open a business checking account.
• Applying for credit: When applying for credit, lenders may require an EIN to verify your business’s identity and creditworthiness.
• Filing taxes: An EIN is used to identify your business for tax purposes. You will need an EIN to file your business’s taxes.
• Hiring employees: If you plan on hiring employees, you will need an EIN to pay them taxes and withhold their benefits.

How to Locate Your Company’s EIN

Now that we have established the importance of having an EIN let’s discuss how to locate it. There are several ways to find your company’s EIN, including:

1. Check your business formation documents: If you formed your business as a corporation or limited liability company (LLC), your EIN should be included in your formation documents. You can access these documents by logging into the state agency where you filed your business registration.
2. Contact the IRS: The IRS maintains a database of all EINs issued in the United States. You can contact the IRS to request your company’s EIN if you are unable to find it in your formation documents.
3. Check with your bank or financial institution: Your EIN may be on file with your bank or financial institution. You can contact them to request your EIN.
4. Contact your business attorney or accountant: If you are still unable to locate your company’s EIN, you can contact your business attorney or accountant for assistance. They may have access to your formation documents or be able to help you locate your EIN through other means.

Tips for Keeping Track of Your Company’s EIN

Now that you know how to locate your company’s EIN, it’s important to keep track of it. Here are some tips for keeping your EIN safe and easily accessible:

1. Keep a copy of your formation documents: As mentioned earlier, your EIN should be included in your formation documents. Keep these documents in a secure location and make sure you have access to them.
2. Store your EIN digitally: You can also store your EIN digitally by scanning it and saving it on your computer or cloud storage service.
3. Use a password-protected database: If you prefer to keep physical copies of your formation documents, consider using a password-protected database to store them securely.
4. Keep your EIN up-to-date: Make sure your EIN is still valid and has not expired. You can check the status of your EIN on the IRS website.

Case Study: The Importance of Having an Employer Identification Number

Let’s take a look at a case study to illustrate the importance of having an Employer Identification Number.