Before you can file your 2290 Form, you MUST have an Employer Identification Number (EIN). An EIN is a 9-digit number issued to you by the IRS. This number recognizes you or your company as a business identity. Since the 2290 Form is a business tax, the IRS wants a business ID on the form. Though the IRS has accepted Social Security Numbers in the past, they no longer accept them for this tax. Even if you are a Sole Proprietor, you still need an EIN.
Ways To Get An EIN
There are 2 ways to apply for an EIN:
- By paper: To apply for an EIN by paper, fill out the IRS Form SS4. You can mail this document in or fax it directly to the IRS. If you fax it in, we recommend you call the IRS at (800) 829-4933 and confirm that they received it. Once they receive it, they will fax you back with your new EIN.
- Online: If you wish to file for your new EIN online, follow this link: https://sa2.www4.irs.gov/modiein/individual/index.jsp. This form takes roughly 15 minutes to fill out.
It takes about 2 weeks for an EIN to become active for e-File. Since the new 2290 Form tax season begins in about 2 weeks, now is the perfect time to apply for your EIN if you don’t already have one.
Please contact us at (909) 596-0050 if you had any questions regarding EIN’s. We would be happy to help!
Written by Molly Harris