How to Fill out IRS Form SS-4

Step-by-step instructions on how to fill out Form SS-4. Many different types of businesses need to fill out IRS form SS-4, better known as the “Application for Employer Identification Number” form. This is the form that will give your business its EIN, which you need to pay and file taxes. You might also need an EIN to open a business checking account or get a business loan. To help you fill out the form quickly and accurately, follow along with our video. Want more? Check out our complete guide on filling out IRS form SS-4: bit.ly/2UVsMlK
Our video covers:
Line 1: Legal name of entity (0:39)
Line 2: Trade name of business (0:51)
Line 3: Executor, administrator, trustee, “care of” name (1:13)
Line 4a, 4b: Mailing address (1:45)
Line 5a, 5b: Street address (2:08)
Line 6: County and state where principal business is located (2:20)
Line 7a 7b: Name of responsible party (2:30)
Line 8a, 8b, 8c: Application for a limited liability company (3:23)
Line 9a: Type of entity (4:11)
Line 9b: If corporation, name the state or foreign country where incorporated (6:06)
Line 10: Reason for applying (6:16)
Line 11: Date business started or acquired (7:09)
Line 12: Closing month of accounting year (7:32)
Line 13: Highest number of employees expected in next 12 months (7:50)
Line 14: Employment tax liability (8:29)
Line 15: First date wages or annuities were paid (9:15)
Line 16: Principal activity of business (9:31)
Line 17: Principal line of merchandise sold, construction work done, products produced (9:57)
Line 18: Has applicant or entity ever applied and received an EIN (10:13)
Third-party designee (10:39)
Applicant signature and date (10:55)
Online EIN application (11:45)
EIN application via LegalZoom (12:18)
Apply for an EIN with LegalZoom: bit.ly/2XICzBh
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In this video, we provide a basic overview on filling out Form SS-4. This video is not intended to provide legal advice or to form a professional relationship. We suggest contacting a business lawyer for advice specific to your circumstances.

[@kevinthomas5506]

I watched so many videos and still had questions afterwards, but this was very easy to follow. Thank you for posting this!

[@FunderaLedger]

Hi Kevin, We're so glad you found this helpful!

[@SD-rg5mj]

Hello, I did it but I received an error message, could you help me

[@SD-rg5mj]

Hello, as french I can only apply by fax?

[@angel.7.7.7.7]

FINALLY !! Thank you so much!! for your help!! I got my EIN #

[@FunderaLedger]

Of course! We appreciate your kind comment :)

[@be1Wiser]

Congrats! Did IRS send you back SS-4 form with EIN?

[@fiorellagarcia9453]

@@be1Wiser where I can fax the form ss4

[@massterrbarber]

Thank you 🙏 really I appreciate your time and I have not done your steps yet but I will soon and it’s always good for me to see the actual fill in the blanks for my ein number 💎💎

[@yulondaconsultants8401]

You did a phenomenal job in explaining what is needed a why! Thank you so much for your High level professionalism executed!

[@FunderaLedger]

Thank you for the kind words Yulonda. We're glad you found our video helpful :)

[@gemini2butterfly215]

This was step by step and described every line. PERFECTION!!!

[@FunderaLedger]

Glad we could be helpful :)

[@SD-rg5mj]

hello, I'm french I have an issue with the IRS can u help me

[@SD-rg5mj]

hello can I send it to the irs thu their form

[@Mma-fc9mq]

​@@SD-rg5mj check how to do your strawman

[@user-ob5zb5zr5n]

This is awesome and highly informative

[@stevenburton7922]

Wow...FANTASTIC instructional video! You are a very, very good teacher/instructor. Also, you have a great voice for instruction. You don't sound like a school teacher(drone)....you kept my attention the entire time...Thank you!

[@gabbyortiz1670]

Thank You A Million!!! I had already downloaded the form and filled it out but it was incorrect and incomplete! I normal don’t search for help because I know I will not find the correct way but I am so happy I did it anyway! ❤️

[@anthonyryan7660]

Really useful. Been puzzling over this for days.

[@yogofo01]

best video of all the ones that I saw, THANKS

[@aminshahbaz5399]

Thank you for preparing this helpful video!

[@investmotivation1014]

Thanks for sharing! Happy holidays and happy new year!

[@Me-yj4ki]

Thank you for this guide! It really helped me out and got it done quickly online.

[@dianamasuoka6305]

This was a fantastic video. We're starting a new business and this was definitely needed. Thank you so much.

[@wherewhat]

Hello, have you got your LLC incorporated? If yes, can I ask for some guidance?

[@dianamasuoka6305]

@@wherewhat Sorry, my company is a Partnership, not an LLC so I can't offer any advice. I would make sure that you listen to this video and pause it frequently so you can write down each of the questions and then get your answers later so that when you fill out the SS-4 you have everything handy. That is what I did. Trying to get thru to the IRS after you finish completing this form can be time consuming and tedious so you don't want your attempt at completing this application to raise any red flags or questions. You want to get it right the FIRST time. Hope this helps.

[@wherewhat]

@@dianamasuoka6305 Thank you!

[@SATXinPasadena]

Wish there was more around the Estate filing. This was really focused on Business LLC. Questions I'd have on 1.) suggested name of the estate 2.) what happens when you have multiple executors. is it only 1 person 3.) the address should be if the executor is out of state. do you use the deceased address or other? Just a few thoughts given my needs are a bit different.

[@abrahamrai]

Greatest video I have watched in between all, what detailed video and informative the way all should be, I would`ve liked to know what to write on the Fax section at the end which I left in blank but great video overall. Thank you.

[@thinkforyourselfjohn3163]

This video was beyond informative. Thank you so much. God Bless you. Great job !

[@crazydwarfer]

Thanks for the video, very informative. Can you please clarify, what to include for non-US citizens, in field 7b who does not have SSN or ITIN? Additionally, can you please also help on what box to check in the 9a field (1 member LLC - a disregarded entity, the owner is a non-US resident)? Thank you so much for your answer in advance.

[@pelaezjuan022]

Impressive. Thank you for such valuable information. Can you make a video of what the process would be like with a person who does not have a SSN or ITIN. Thanks 👏💯

[@Doctorartpt]

Hi! Thank you so much for posting this thorough video. It saved me from making some mistakes. I am wondering how to fill out Box 15 if you are a Single-Member LLC, planning to file as an S-corp. I will be the only employee and will hire 1099 Contractors. I will likely not be able to pay myself a reasonable wage for at least a few months as business ramps up. Based on IRS website instructions It seems like I can't enter N/A since I plan on having employees I can't enter a date of the first wage since I haven't paid myself yet Any suggestions? Thanks!

[@RicoMinovo]

Thank you for the clear instructions. Online wasn't possible. Now I just have to figure out how to receive faxes. Silly!

[@liammiller9296]

Thank you very much for your video. It was very helpful to me. Thanks

[@rhondatedder7496]

This was extremely helpful!

[@rudolphcirton362]

I believed I filled it out right on recieving as estate ein but can you make one for that

[@O.C.D0311]

If my employees are going to be 1099 do I still mark line 14?

[@sandeedee8891]

Thank you sooo much for this video, it was incredibly helpful!

[@dommyzee2483]

Do I have to attach Articles of Organisation with the form?

[@manuelsilentnite]

Thank y’all greatly for your videos

[@FunderaLedger]

Glad you enjoy them!

[@sparkbark7640]

Wow thank you! This was super helpful.

[@markoribich]

this is awesome what is the FAX # to fas in Form SS-4 ?

[@yummyfatkid3825]

can you file this without a social security number?

[@oasimford9923]

Could please explain line 14 more specific I am bit confuse 🤔

[@original_baltimore_odawg7399]

Great video. I live in Maryland and I’m trying to start a holding company, but I really need help in this process to get my ein number. The issue is that I don’t know what to categorize the holding company as. If you have any insight I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks and have a good day.

[@wherewhat]

Have you got your LLC up & running with this guide?

[@shannonmalayajones7649]

Try this form with TD books spending form Vancouver liabilities for IRS until Jan 15 2022.

[@skirmisher1901]

Life saver, thanks.

[@Noibitheprof]

Thank you so much for this video...... I am the only person doing the business for now so how do I fill out the form that's asking for employees?

[@SharlenesJourney]

What does household employees mean? If I’m the only employee and a sole proprietor with a online business where would I put my number would it go under other?

[@FunderaLedger]

Are you referring to section 9a? We believe you would check off "sole proprietorship and enter your SSN there.

[@ScandleBar]

He is talking about box 13. I think if you don’t have any employees, and don’t expect to have any employees within the next 12 months you write in 0

[@mustafaali4437]

Thanks for your help. I have a question, as brand new single member s corp when filing for a EIN do i file form 2553 or 1120s before or after the SS- 4 form?

[@delmerbanegas5497]

No

[@DecemberJay_]

Thank you!

[@rappertaji]

Hello thanks for your info. Quick question. Does line 7a and 7b still separate an individual from their LLC and getting personally sued?

[@forkanramim]

I Non- Residence in USA. I'm from Bangladesh. Thanks for Your video. I fill in according to your instructions. But the problem i face is The "Signature and Date section" How i fix this? I can't Write something there. Do i have to do Manually? After print? And Then what's the process? I Have stacked with this. Please help me. Thanks in advance

[@mansa-musa]

Thank you, may god bless your heart sweet lady

[@alejandraavalos5718]

Good video! Tks. Quick question: In #11 Date business started or aquired, I received my Articles of Organization from the Dept. Of the Secretary of State on May 25,2022 but in the same paper says, These articles will be effective upon filing,unless a future date is specified: August/16/2022. So what date is the correct to write down in the EIN Form?

[@rafaelesparza226]

What form can I send to change my business name

[@lvwilliams7669]

Awesome video and thanks for the help🎉

[@almanzarimprovement]

I had to leave my like and kindly THANK YOU!

[@larryturner2701]

When I received my ss 4 the 8 b had a 0 in it

[@agustinvilleda7961]

HELP.! i just registered a new businesses of construction as sole proprietor . on the 9a type of entity ,should i pick corporation with form 1120 ?

[@soniasicotte9018]

Hi! I'm looking to fill out the form for a foreign trust but some of the instructions remains unclear to me!! Thank you for your help!

[@themillionairediy]

For line 11, If the bussiness has’t started yet. What would be the date entered in this section? As a MLLC.

[@KamalShariff]

Excellent! Thank you.

[@FunderaLedger]

You're welcome, Kamal!

[@umeransari9767]

Can we sign the form digitally using any PDF Editor? Would IRS accept that?

[@iotoro6148]

I havre question on line 17. What if I write "selling goods online". Then after sometime i will start affiliate marketing. In affiliate marketing i dont sell goods. Do i have to file additional EIN?

[@alleyhudsonn]

If we are converting from SMLLC TO MMLLC which box to check in line 10? And do we have to put the old EIN in line 7b and 18?

[@ehsanahmadyar2681]

Hey. I live in Sweden and I would like to open a company in the USA. LLC Company. so I have made the ss4 form but I don't know where I need to send the Fax number to get the EIN Number. and the service must be used to fax.

[@bamse5279]

Hello. Im a non US citizen and i live in Europe, i want to form an LLC and apply for the EIN. On the SS-4 form, can i put on the mailing adress the adress of my registred agent?

[@testtor2714]

Most enter a NAICS code at number 10.

[@muzammilhussain4605]

Hi,Where changes required when we fill this form as non USA resident ?

[@sheilafranks9779]

Can you please explain how to fill this out for an S corporation? I got lost about 3 mins in because I am not filing for an LLC.

[@gamlielu]

very nice job. I still have a question. My friend from has a company overseas has asked me to sign the SS4 form. He puts my name in Line 7a and my Social security number in 7b. In the Third Party Designee, he puts another person's name and his address. below "Third Party Designee", he puts my name and writes next to it that I am the POC (point of contact). at the bottom he wants me to sign the SS4. I do not get paid or have any position in this company, and I am a government employee. can i sign this ss4 as a government employee? do i need to report to the IRS every year although I do not work there?

[@varun531]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@agbordaniels]

What if it’s a sole proprietorship with no employees?

[@jmirvinggbooks]

So what's the address we send it to once we're done? I just want to make sure that I send it to the right place!

[@johnsweeney8061]

Thank you Betty Business

[@OmindiGamage]

is this recommend using ALL UPPERCASE letters ?

[@jeanetteosorio6134]

hi can you do one for partnership

[@OrincyWhyteDesigns]

THANK YOU!!! Thank you thank you!!

[@martinhvezda6535]

Great video Fundera! I'm actually working on getting EIN for a foreign equivalent of LLC. We are a multimember LLC and all have limited liability. I suppose that we are then classified as a corporation? Also, I looked into it and 1120 is a form for S Corporation not a C Corporation, as you mentioned in the video. Anyway keep up the good work:)!

[@FunderaLedger]

Hi Martin! Thanks for the compliment. By default, a multi-member LLC is treated as a partnership under U.S. federal tax law. If your business is sticking to the default classification, then you'd check off partnership in item 9a of Form SS-4. However, if you'd like your LLC to be taxed as a corporation, you'd check off the corporation box in item 9a, write "multi-member," and the form associated with the type of corporation. The form is 1120 for a C-corp and 1120S for an S-corp. Hope that helps, and of course, we highly recommend confirming all of this information with a business lawyer and tax professional.

[@hasdrubalsosamarquez5430]

Shhhh! 🤫

[@kiar4585]

Thank u!!!

[@awmin2145]

hi Priyanka, that was very informative thanks a lot. can I file as a foreign individual? and put my home address instead? I don't have a company, It's an e-commerce website. thanks again

[@OLBAP_ZEVAHC-0991]

Thank you 🙏

[@latinamamai18]

Thank you! ❤️

[@sweetestaria]

How does it work if you filed the LLC in one state. No longer live there and looking to obtain an ein. Does it matter if the address you use to obtain the LlC differs from the address you are using to obtain the ein?

[@FunderaLedger]

Hi there! Thanks for watching. First, you'd want to file Form 8822-b with the IRS to make your change of business address official. See the form here: www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8822-b Once that's processed, you should be able to obtain your EIN using your current business address. I suggest consulting with a tax professional to confirm.

[@wilmercruz5491]

Thank you so much,

[@roaddog1973]

Is "Owner" an acceptable title? I thought LLC's had to be "Members" or "Managers"

[@FunderaLedger]

Hi Chris, Member or Manager is technically more accurate for a responsible party of an LLC, but generally, the IRS allows you to use the title that you use on a daily basis while operating your business. There are no IRS instructions about specific titles that are valid or invalid. Thank you for your comment!

[@AlabanzasyAdoración7]

So in line one do I put my name or my small business name? And on number 2, what do I put there?

[@FunderaLedger]

Line 1 is where you put the name of your business (if you have made one yet) or your name if not. Line 2 is where you put the DBA (doing business as) name, if different from the legal name of your business. Hope that helps!

[@AlabanzasyAdoración7]

@@FunderaLedger thank you very much, appreciate it!

[@FunderaLedger]

@@AlabanzasyAdoración7 No problem :)

[@admirgerlek2709]

HI. I do not own a LLC in the US, but i have my company in Europe. I am starting FBA on AMazon USA and i need an EIN number to import my products to the USA. Is the procedure the same? Can i Import goods to the AMazon warehouse with my European company and can i get an EIN number??

[@dorisborjontax]

🎉

[@NSaadahMAli]

Hi fundera. I am doing droshipping business. what is the trade name of business is that? I am still confused actually.

[@FunderaLedger]

Hi Noorul, a trade name (also known as an assumed name, doing business as (DBA) name, or fictitious business name) is a business name that you might use for marketing or advertising purposes. For example, your business's legal name might be "ABC Bakery and Restaurant Company, LLC," but for simplicity, you might want to use the trade name "ABC Bakes" in marketing and advertising. If that's the case, most states require you to register the trade name. You would indicate that trade name on line 2 of Form SS-4. Hope that clears things up!

[@NSaadahMAli]

@@FunderaLedger hi, does that mean i need to apply for an LLC first? and i am staying in Malaysia but targeting US market. where do i apply my LLC? in malaysia or US? thanks

[@awmin2145]

@@NSaadahMAli same question

[@rebeccaann203]

Is this the form needed after receiving reference #101 On the online application for the ein

[@FunderaLedger]

Yes. If you receive reference 101, it means the IRS needs to manually file Form SS-4.

[@rebeccaann203]

@@FunderaLedger thank you so much!

[@FunderaLedger]

@@rebeccaann203 of course :)

[@roxanay6180]

muchas gracias😘

[@LeonHoward]

if i am not from the US, do i first register the LLC and then apply for the EIN, or first the EIN and the register the LLC?

[@tiktok--]

You have to register for the LLC first. Once the LLC is formed, you can then apply for the EIN by submitting SS-4 by fax. I got mine in 2 months (due to Covid delays)

[@bamse5279]

@@tiktok-- What do you wrote on the Mailing adress? Im not from US too. It is ok if i put my registred agent adress on the mailing adress?

[@tiktok--]

@@bamse5279 Since I have a Delaware virtual office address, I used that as the mailing address. Lookup LLCUniversity.com it has a lot of information about forming LLCs. Good luck.

[@BenjaminZenker]

Can you file to be both profit and non-profit?

[@FunderaLedger]

Hi Benjamin! Some non-profit companies choose to have a for-profit subsidiary in order to generate income. Subsidiaries of corporations need their own EIN, separate from the parent company's EIN. I hope that's helpful. Take a look at the IRS instructions about EINs for more details: www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/do-you-need-a-new-ein

[@rudolphcirton362]

An example

[@anu4384]

Hi there, I am an Indian, how can I get ITIN number regarding SS4 form?

[@madej1858]

ITIN is w7 form

[@Slimtstee]

I keep getting error 109

[@AlabanzasyAdoración7]

I need help fiiling one, is there a number I can call you?

[@rjfennessy1727]

Change the title. The title says how to fill out an SS4 form for an estate. You’re talking about a business not an estate.

[@angelnava7504]

😑🙏

[@forkanramim]

I Non- Residence in USA. I'm from Bangladesh. Thanks for Your video. I fill in according to your instructions. But the problem i face is The "Signature and Date section" How i fix this? I can't Write something there. Do i have to do Manually? After print? And Then what's the process? I Have stacked with this. Please help me. Thanks in advance

[@md.mainularefin3621]

important