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Form SS-4

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Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, is used by businesses wishing to be assigned a tax identification number that identifies them as an employer. When completed, this form is submitted to the IRS. If approved, the IRS will then issue an employer identification number (EIN) that the business will use with their tax returns.

Form SS-4

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Form 540 › Form 8109-B › Form 8109-B ›

What is a SS-4?

A Form SS-4 is also called an Application for Employer Identification Number. These forms are provided by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and are related to tax reporting and filing purposes. The form will be used by employers, sole proprietors, corporations, estates, partnerships, and trusts. Using this form, these parties can request an EIN, or Employer Identification Number, a nine digit number that is required for tax filing and reporting.


In order to receive an Employer Identification Number, an employer must completely fill out this form. This includes the name and the address of the business or other entity. More detailed information about the entity will also be needed, as well as the reason for the new application for an EIN. The form must be signed and dated by the applicant before it can be sent to the IRS for approval and distribution of the number. 

Who needs a SS-4?

Any organization that needs an EIN and is filing for the taxpayer identification number for the first time needs a Form SS-4.  If you need an EIN for a sole proprietorship, non-profit, trust, partnership, corporation, or estate of a deceased individual, you need to fill out Form SS-4.

Why do you need a SS4?

Any organization that requires an EIN needs to fill out an SS-4.  EINs are assigned to organizations by the IRS to identify them for tax purposes.  You must fill out Form SS-4 if you do not have an EIN for your organization and it pays wages to any employee(s), you need an EIN for use on an IRS return or statement, you are required to withhold taxes on income that is not wages or income paid to a non-resident alien, or you are planning to file Schedule C (Profit or Loss From Business), Schedule F (Profit or Loss From Farming), or Form 1040 (US Individual Income Tax Return), and the IRS requires you to file employment, excise, tobacco, alcohol, firearms, or Keogh plan returns.

How to complete a SS-4 (Step by Step)

To complete a Form SS-4 Application for Employer Identification Number, you will need to provide the following information:

  • Legal name of entity or individual
  • Trade name of business
  • Executor, administrator, trustee, “care of” name
  • Mailing address
  • Name of responsible party
  • SSN, ITIN, EIN
  • Whether this is an application for an LLC
  • Number of LLC members
  • Whether LLC was organized in the United States
  • Type of entity: sole proprietorship, corporation, personal service corporation, church or church-controlled organization, other nonprofit organizations, estate, plan administrator, trust, military/national guard, state/local government, farmers’ cooperative, federal government, REMIC, indian tribal governments/enterprises, or other 
  • Name of state or foreign country of incorporation
  • Reason for applying
  • Date business started
  • Closing month of accounting year
  • Highest number of employees
  • Indicate if you expect your employment tax to be $1,000 or less in a full calendar year and want to file Form 944 annually instead of Forms 941 quarterly
  • First date wages or annuities paid
  • Principal activity of business
  • Principal line of merchandise sold, specific construction work done, products produced, services provided
  • Whether applicant has ever received an EIN
  • Third party designee information
  • Signature

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Form SS-4 2010

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Form 540

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Form 8109-B

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Form 8109-B

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Sample Form SS-4

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Sample Form SS-4

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