What is Form SS-4?
Form SS-4 is the IRS application businesses and organizations file to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN), the unique nine-digit number the IRS uses to identify a business for tax purposes.
Why does Form SS-4 matter?
A business generally cannot open a bank account, run payroll, or file certain tax returns without an EIN, making Form SS-4 one of the first administrative steps in setting up a company or hiring employees.
How does Form SS-4 work?
A business submits Form SS-4 to the IRS, either online, by fax, or by mail, providing details like the entity’s legal name, structure, and reason for applying; the IRS then issues an EIN, often immediately for online applications.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get an EIN after filing Form SS-4?
Online applications typically receive an EIN immediately; fax and mail applications can take several days to weeks.
Does every business need to file Form SS-4?
Most businesses with employees, or those structured as a corporation or partnership, need an EIN and must file Form SS-4; some sole proprietors without employees may not.
How BrightMove helps
BrightMove’s Back Office module keeps your organization’s tax and entity information organized alongside billing and payroll data. See BrightMove’s Back Office billing and invoicing.