Fill and sign Form SS-4 online
Applies for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for a business, estate, trust or other entity.
Form SS-4 at a glance
- Official name
- Application for Employer Identification Number
- Issued by
- IRS
- Country
- United States
- Category
- Business and companies
- Language
- English
- Who uses it
- New businesses, LLCs, estates and trusts.
- Signature
Check with the recipient
Not stated. The IRS instructions say an SS-4 sent by mail or fax must be signed and dated, but do not say whether an electronic signature is accepted. Applicants with a US address can get an EIN online instead.
- Instructions
- Official IRS page
Form SS-4 is the application for an Employer Identification Number (EIN), the federal tax ID for businesses, LLCs, estates, trusts and other entities. Applicants with a US address can apply online at IRS.gov/EIN; the paper form is for fax or mail, and for applicants abroad. Open the official form from irs.gov in BunnyDoc's free Sign PDF tool straight from this page, type into its fillable fields, add your signature and date, and download it. Everything runs in your browser, so the PDF never leaves your device.
How to fill in and sign Form SS-4
Open the current form
Use the button on this page to open fss4.pdf from irs.gov in Sign PDF. Have the IRS instructions for Form SS-4 open alongside it.
Name and addresses (lines 1 to 6)
Line 1 is the legal name exactly as on the entity's formation documents, line 2 any trade name, and line 3 an executor, trustee or "care of" name. Lines 4a to 5b are mailing and street addresses (no PO box on line 5a), and line 6 the county and state of the business.
Responsible party and LLC details (lines 7a to 8c)
Line 7a names the responsible party, generally an individual who controls the entity, with their SSN, ITIN or EIN on line 7b. Lines 8a to 8c ask whether the entity is an LLC and how many members it has.
Entity type and reason for applying (lines 9a to 10)
Tick one entity type on line 9a, such as sole proprietor, corporation, partnership or trust. This is not a tax election. Tick one reason on line 10, for example started a new business or hired employees.
Business details (lines 11 to 18)
Give the start date, the closing month of your accounting year, the highest number of employees expected in the next 12 months, whether you want to file Form 944, the first date wages are paid, your principal activity, and whether the entity ever had an EIN before.
Sign, then fax or mail it
Sign and date the form, and fill in the third-party designee section only if someone else will receive the EIN for you. Fax or mail it to the IRS number or address in the instructions for your location. By fax the EIN usually comes back within 4 business days; by mail allow about 4 weeks.
What you need before you start
- The entity's exact legal name and any trade name.
- Mailing and street addresses, and the county and state where the business is located.
- The responsible party's name and SSN, ITIN or EIN.
- The entity type, start date, accounting year end and expected number of employees.
- The IRS instructions for Form SS-4, which list the current fax numbers and addresses.
Online, fax or mail?
The IRS instructions list four routes. Online at IRS.gov/EIN is for applicants with a US or US territory address, and the EIN is issued at once. Fax returns the EIN in about 4 business days. Mail takes about 4 weeks, so apply 4 to 5 weeks before you need the number. Telephone is only for international applicants with no US address.
The paper form is still useful if you prefer a record of what you sent, if you are outside the US, or if a third-party designee is applying for you.
Common mistakes
- A legal name on line 1 that does not match the formation documents.
- Naming a company instead of an individual as the responsible party, when an individual is required.
- Treating line 9a as an S corporation election. That needs Form 2553.
- Leaving line 13 blank when you expect no employees. Enter zero.
- Forgetting to sign, which the instructions require for fax and mail applications.
Form SS-4: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get an EIN?
Online the EIN is issued immediately. By fax it usually comes back within 4 business days, and by mail it takes about 4 weeks.
Where do I send Form SS-4?
Fax or mail it to the IRS fax number or address for your location listed in the SS-4 instructions. Domestic paper applications go to the EIN Operation in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Is there a fee for an EIN?
No. The IRS does not charge for an EIN. Be careful with websites that charge to apply on your behalf.
Can I sign Form SS-4 electronically?
The IRS instructions say a mailed or faxed SS-4 must be signed and dated but do not say whether an electronic signature is accepted. If you want to avoid the question, apply online at IRS.gov/EIN if you are eligible.
Who signs Form SS-4?
An individual signs for themselves. For a corporation it is the president, vice president or other principal officer; for a partnership or other unincorporated body, an authorized member or officer; for a trust or estate, the fiduciary.
Is BunnyDoc connected to the IRS?
No. BunnyDoc is not affiliated with the IRS. We link to the official form on irs.gov and give you a free tool to fill and sign it in your browser.
BunnyDoc is not affiliated with IRS. Check that the recipient accepts electronic signatures.
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