Which form is used to request an employer identification number?

• A. I-9
• B. SS-4
• C. SS-5
• D. SS-8

Answer: (B)

The form used to request an Employer Identification Number is the SS-4. An EIN serves as the business’s tax ID for payroll, tax reporting, and opening accounts, so when a new business needs one, the SS-4 is submitted to the IRS. The SS-4 collects essential details such as the business’s legal name and address, entity type, reason for applying, date the business started or was acquired, principal activity, contact information, and, for many entities, the number of employees and expected employment taxes. Once processed, the IRS issues an EIN for use on filings and payroll records. You can apply online for quick processing, or by mail or fax if that suits you better. The other forms have different purposes: the I-9 verifies employee eligibility to work in the U.S., the SS-5 is for applying for a Social Security card, and the SS-8 determines worker classification for federal tax purposes. None of these are used to obtain an EIN.