Small Business Resources, Business Advice and Forms from AllBusiness.com

Employer ID Numbers (EIN) - Do You Need an EIN?

From the Internal Revenue Service

You will need an EIN if you answer "Yes"

to any of the following questions. For your convenience, clicking on the "Yes" option will take you directly to How to apply for an EIN.

Additionally, if you provide health insurance for your employees, you may need a National Standard Employer Identifer (NSEI) for your electronic health transactions. To determine if you need an NSEI, refer to the Department of Health and Human Services' NSEI frequently asked questions .

Do you have employees?
NO
Do you operate your business as a corporation or a partnership?
NO
Do you file any of these tax returns: Employment, Excise, or Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms?
NO
Do you withhold taxes on income, other than wages, paid to a non-resident alien?
NO
Do you have a Keogh plan?
NO

Are you involved with any of the following types of organizations?

  • Trusts, except certain grantor-owned revocable trusts, IRAs, Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Returns
  • Estates
  • Real estate mortgage investment conduits
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Farmers' cooperatives
  • Plan administrators
NO
Creating a Successful Company with Good Employee Benefits
Host Hattie Bryant of Small Business School interviews Bart Mahan of Buggies Unlimited, a Richmond, Kentucky-based company that sells gear for golf carts.