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Whether starting a business, a trustee to an irrevocable trust, or an estate administrator, you’ll need to get an EIN (Employer Identification Number) to help you file taxes, protect your business identity, enable growth, and look more professional. This 9-digit identification number is essential to every business as it separates your business finances from your personal finances.
While it’s not necessary for several business entities, having one comes with tons of advantages that outweigh the process of obtaining one. You can file for an EIN application once your state has approved your business LLC. We’ve listed down the most crucial reasons why you need to get an EIN for your LLC business formation.
What Is An EIN?
An employer identification number is known for many as EIN is your business identity. It separates personal finances from business finances and offers legitimacy for any organization. If you’re a sole proprietorship owner, EIN doesn’t seem essential, but the advantages should help you weigh your options appropriately.
Social Security Numbers come with 9-digits, but EIN offers distinction as their format is different. While the SSN comes with an xxx-xx-xxxx pattern, your EIN comes with the xx-xxxxxxx pattern. Every business entity requires an EIN and must only obtain one.
If you’re a single-member LLC, you can use an SSN to file your taxes, but your business must not have any employees. Every LLC with employees or has two or more members/owners must use their EIN when filing taxes. The irs tax id application procedure is easy to process and will take a little time out of your busy schedule.
The IRS then issues your business a copy of your EIN details which you can take to banks or present to vendors, clients, or license boards. Regardless of how big or small your business is, part-timer project or not, the EIN is a crucial tool you must have.
Who Needs An EIN – Employer Identification Number?
Employer Identification Number is a vital tool for every business. Assuming you already build your business, there is a variance of use for an EIN and who needs them:
- LLCs
Most LLCs are required to get an EIN. For instance, if it has a couple or more owners or members, you can decide how your business will be recognized as a corporation or partnership; neither EIN is still required.
- Corporations
Corporations need an EIN as it is responsible for its debts and obligations and a separate legal entity. An already existing corporation must get a new EIN on several scenarios like the business transitions to a subsidiary corporation, change its name, transition to partnership or single-proprietor, or create a new chartered corporation.
- Sole Proprietorships
Most single-proprietor businesses are not required to get an EIN. However, it’s still their choice to get one
- Partnerships
Business partnerships are required to obtain a new EIN, except a specific joint understanding for a single purpose to share expenses.
- Estates of a deceased person
For instance, if someone dies, their localities or state may require an EIN. This is needed to check the assets that require probation before distribution.
- Personal service corporations
For business entities that offer personal activities that provide personal services from the owner, including architecture, accounting, engineering, consulting, health, performing arts, law, etc., it requires having an EIN.
- Employee benefit plans
For employee benefits, including retirement and health plans, are required to present or have their EINs. Some of these include profit-sharing plans, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, and more.
- Household employers
For people employing household help or assistance on their home, you are required to obtain an EIN to provide a payroll report that comes with tax withholding. Furthermore, if you’re an acting agent for employing household help, you must apply an EIN for the specific person.
- Tax-exempt organization
Every non-profit organization must get its own EIN before tax-exemption status application.
- Trusts
Fiduciaries or trustees are required to obtain EINs for specific trust types. The EIN purpose for trusts umbrella includes custodianship, receiverships, guardianships, and more.
What Are The Benefits Of Having An EIN Number?
Limited liability company (LLC) requires having their own EIN. Here are several important reasons why:
- Business Taxes
A notable reason why most businesses get an EIN to make it conveniently easy to file your state and federal taxes, both quarterly and annually. Several startups and single-proprietors use their personal accounts for the taxes and businesses. This process then creates a pass-through process for the organization—which means the money is passed through their personal bank mechanism.
- Professionalism
With an EIN on the side, it creates legality and professionalism on your end. Potential vendors and clients look forward to doing business with serious partners.
- Protects Your Identity
EIN provides great identity protection. This maintains any personal information from potential identity theft and other malicious attacks.
- Licenses
If your business requires licensing, you’ll be required to have an EIN. It helps the local and state authorities with the details they need for your business or organization and helps with validation procedure.
- Separates Business And Personal Finances
Hoping to grow your business and hire employees, or if you already have, getting an EIN is vital. With an EIN, this gives you an option to pay federal and state agencies and ensure you’re earning credits for the paid amounts.
- Business Growth
Finally, EIN showcases business growth and what all entrepreneurs are aiming for. This allows them a loan expansion application. EIN is vital for banking transactions to help secure your funds when growing your business.
Conclusion
As a business owner, you and other members or owners are solely responsible for using your EIN. You are only required to use your EIN on a business basis alone.
You may also like: How to Choose a Registered Agent for Your LLC
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