How To Get an EIN (Tax ID) Number in Pennsylvania
Forbes magazine has ranked Pennsylvania in the top five states to start a business for several years in a row. That’s because the state has twice the average amount of funding for new businesses, and although it has a high cost of living compared to the rest of the country, it’s relatively inexpensive compared to many neighboring states like New York.
If you’re thinking about starting a business in the Keystone State, you will need to take care of many different tax and administrative requirements. One of the first things you need to do is to get a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) and a Pennsylvania tax ID number.
Wondering about the steps involved? Then keep reading. To get an EIN number Pennsylvania residents just need to do the following:
How To Apply For A Tax ID Number In Pennsylvania
To apply for a tax ID number in the business-friendly state of Pennsylvania, you simply need to gather the right information and then submit your application online or through the mail. The following sections give you a step-by-step breakdown of the process.
Prepare The Required Information
To get an EIN number, Pennsylvania residents need to gather several key details about their company. This includes the business’s name, address, principal line of merchandise or services, entity structure, and details for a responsible party who can make financial decisions and talk with the IRS on behalf of the company.
You will also need to answer questions about your employees including the number of employees, the type of employees, the date of first wages, and if you think you will owe more than $1,000 in payroll tax during the year. The EIN application also requests the reason that you want an EIN.
There are several common reasons such as hiring your first employee, buying an existing business, changing the structure of your business, or dealing with bank purposes. The application lists out the reasons and allows you to choose one. If multiple reasons apply, then, you should just pick the reason that is the most important to you. Don’t worry. This won’t affect your ability to get the number. As long as you fill out the form correctly, the IRS will generate a number for you.
Apply Online
Once you’ve got all your details, you can sit down in front of a computer and apply for a Pennsylvania EIN number online. Give yourself at least an hour, but keep in mind that most people complete the process much faster. You should get your EIN right away. As soon as you have it, you can start putting it on tax forms. There is no delay in using the number.
Submit Your Application Via Mail
Alternatively, if you like, you can apply on paper through the mail. To get a mailed EIN number Pennsylvania business owners need the above information and a paper copy of Form SS-4. Then, you just write out the answers and mail in the form. Generally, you should get your number mailed to you in six to eight weeks. Note that if you apply online, the IRS will also send you a paper copy of the form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about the process. To help, the following sections break down the differences between state and federal tax ID numbers and explain where to get these numbers.
A Pennsylvania EIN number is a nine-digit number that identifies your business on federal tax forms. Most PA businesses need this number. Non-profits, estates, trusts, and other entities may also need this number.
No, the PA Secretary of State (SOS) does not issue EINs. The IRS issues EINs, but you can work with an accountant or business formation specialist to get one. You may need to contact the SOS about establishing an LLC, registering a trade name, or other essentials.
No, an EIN and a Pennsylvania tax ID number are not the same. An EIN is a number that you use on tax forms for the IRS and bank documents. A PA number is for state tax forms such as sales tax or withholding forms.