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Do I Need an EIN for My LLC? What are the Requirements?

By Genki Hirano

Published on 20 Feb 2023 6 min read

Forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) is an important decision for any business owner. But do you need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for your LLC?

If you want to open a business account, hire employees or apply for business licenses and permits, you may need an EIN.

Acquiring one also legitimizes your business and makes it easier for the IRS to categorize your company as a business entity.

This is important when it comes to filing taxes, adding members to your LLC, and fulfilling any requirements necessary to begin operations as a business. 

Read on to learn more about what you need for an EIN and your LLC.

What is an EIN?

Before we dive into the benefits and requirements of an EIN for an LLC, let’s go over exactly what it is.

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify a business. It is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number and is used for tax reporting and compliance purposes.

Businesses, including LLCs, need an EIN if they have employees, pay tax on certain types of income, or are required to file certain business tax returns.

Applying for an EIN is a simple process that can be done online, by mail, or by fax and is free. Once applied, the EIN is used to identify the business for tax purposes and is required for various business activities such as opening a bank account and filing taxes.

Do I Have to Have an EIN for my LLC?

Now that you know what an EIN is, you may be wondering if you have to have one for your LLC.

Single-member LLCs do not need an EIN unless they have employees or if they choose to be taxed as a corporation. Multi-member LLCs, however, do need an EIN. If you are the sole owner of an LLC, you can use your SSN in place of an EIN.

In general, if you are the owner of a limited liability company, you are required to obtain an EIN for your business, depending on the structure of your LLC and its tax filing status.

As mentioned earlier, for single-member LLCs, the IRS does not require an EIN unless the LLC has employees or if it chooses to be taxed as a corporation.

In this case, the owner of the LLC can use their own Social Security Number as the tax identification number for the LLC.

On the other hand, for multi-member LLCs, the IRS does require an EIN. The LLC is considered a separate entity from its owners and is required to file its own tax returns, so it must have its own EIN.

It’s always best to consult with a tax professional or the IRS to determine if an EIN is required for your specific LLC. They can help you understand the specific requirements and ensure that your LLC is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Read more on the legalities of an EIN here. 

Introduction to EINs and LLCs

It can be confusing to understand the purpose and uses of an EIN for an LLC, so here is a brief introduction.

An EIN is used to identify the company for federal, state, and local tax filings, as well as for other business and financial transactions. The most common reason LLCs use an EIN is to open a business checking account.

An EIN is also required to file taxes, hire employees, apply for business licenses and permits, and apply for business loans. 

An EIN is also beneficial if you want to enter into contracts, such as leases or loans, as it can give you a sense of legitimacy.

This helps to solidify the company and mark it as a reputable business structure in the marketplace.

By getting an EIN for your LLC, the opportunity to expand the company also becomes more viable from the validation of the legal structure within the business. 

In addition, an EIN adds a layer of legal protection from its members to the business entity of an LLC in the event of litigation or lawsuit. 

6 Benefits of Obtaining an EIN for an LLC

Obtaining an Employer Identification Number for an LLC is beneficial for a number of reasons. Below are the key benefits of obtaining an EIN for an LLC and how it applies to operating your business. 

Legitimizes your Business

If you need an extra layer of legitimacy, EINs play an important role. When an LLC obtains an EIN, it legitimizes the business in the eyes of the government, banks, and other financial institutions. Having an EIN also demonstrates that the LLC is a separate entity from its owners and is recognized by the IRS as a legitimate business entity.

Hiring Employees

When a business hires employees, it becomes responsible for certain tax obligations, such as withholding and remitting federal income taxes and Social Security and Medicare taxes from the employees’ wages. Additionally, the business must also file certain forms with the IRS, such as the W-2 and the 941, which report the taxes withheld and remitted to the government.

Business Banking

An EIN may be necessary for the LLC to open bank accounts, apply for business licenses, and file taxes. Banks and other financial institutions typically require an EIN as part of their due diligence process when opening a new business account. Additionally, many states and municipalities require an EIN as part of the process for obtaining a business license.

Protection Against Identity Theft and Fraud

An EIN also helps to protect an LLC’s business identity by providing a unique identifier for the business. This helps to protect the LLC from identity theft and fraud in the event an LLC member commits fraudulent activities. The legal separation from its owners makes it more difficult to manipulate or act against a company because it functions as a separate legal entity. 

Credit History

An EIN allows an LLC to establish a separate credit history, which can be beneficial when applying for business loans and other types of financing. Having an EIN is important for tax reporting purposes and is required for businesses to open a bank account, hire employees, and file taxes.

Tax Optimization 

Finally, an EIN for an LLC allows the business to make all necessary filings with the IRS and makes the business eligible for certain tax deductions. This can be beneficial to business owners who need to file taxes on behalf of their LLC.
Additionally, an LLC with an EIN can provide certain tax benefits, such as the ability to pass through income, losses, and credits to the owners, which can lower the overall tax liability for the business and its owners.

How to Obtain an EIN

The process for obtaining an EIN is relatively simple. You can get started with us, and we’ll file for your EIN and LLC at the same time or you can file online or by mail via the IRS website.

The LLC must provide basic information about the business, such as the business name, address, type of business entity, date of formation, and other relevant information.

Once an LLC has received an EIN, it is important to keep it in a safe place and use it when needed. An EIN must be included on tax returns, when filing for credit, and when entering into certain contracts.

It is important that the LLC use the same EIN when filing taxes or other documents to ensure accuracy and avoid potential penalties or fines.

Get protected and grow as a team

Whether or not your LLC needs an EIN depends on several factors, such as the number of members in the LLC and the way the LLC chooses to be taxed.

Obtaining an EIN for your LLC can provide certain tax benefits and help you stay compliant with IRS regulations. It is important to determine if your LLC needs an EIN and if so, to obtain it as soon as possible to ensure compliance and take advantage of any tax benefits.

If you’re having trouble understanding all the logistics of an EIN, you can form your LLC and apply for an EIN with Doola as part of a start-up package to fast-track your business formation.
Get started in under 10 minutes here!

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