Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online
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Return due dates provided on CP575 notices
Due to a change in return due dates for Partnerships and certain Corporations, your CP575 notice may be incorrect for tax periods ending after 12/31/2015. When filing any tax return, use the most current version of the form and instructions for your entity type to ensure timely filing.
Important
We cannot process your application online if the responsible party is an entity with an EIN previously obtained through the Internet. Please use one of our other methods to apply. See How to Apply for an EIN. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Purpose of an Employer Identification Number
Employer Identification Numbers are issued for the purpose of tax administration and are not intended for participation in any other activities (e.g., tax lien auction or sales, lotteries, etc.)
Employer Tax Responsibilities Explained (Publications 15, 15-A and 15B)
Publication 15 provides information on employer tax responsibilities related to taxable wages, employment tax withholding and which tax returns must be filed. More complex issues are discussed in Publication 15-A and tax treatment of many employee benefits can be found in Publication 15. We recommend employers download these publications from IRS.gov. Copies can be requested online (search “Forms and Publications) or by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM.
Exempt Organization Information
If you believe your organization qualifies for tax exempt status (whether or not you have a requirement to apply for a formal ruling), be sure your organization is formed legally before you apply for an EIN. Nearly all organizations exempt under IRC 501(a) are subject to automatic revocation of their tax-exempt status if they fail to file a required annual information return or notice for three consecutive years. When you apply for an EIN, we presume you’re legally formed and the clock starts running on this three-year period.
Example: Your organization applies for an EIN in November 2014 and chooses a December accounting period. Your first tax period would end on December 31, 2014, and your first return or notice (if your organization does not meet one of the few exceptions to the annual reporting requirement) would be due May 15, 2015. You would be subject to automatic revocation of your exemption if you fail to file for the three periods that end December 31, 2016 (return/notice due May 15, 2017) or for any consecutive three-year period thereafter.