Business Tax ID Number: Which One You Need and How to Get It
Last updated November 5, 2026 · Written by the EIN Registration filing team
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Start Now →Which number are they asking for?
| Who is asking | What they want | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Your bank | EIN | IRS |
| A client sending a W-9 | EIN, or the SSN for some sole owners | IRS |
| A payroll provider | EIN, plus state employer accounts | IRS and your state |
| A state tax agency | State tax account number | Your state revenue agency |
| A wholesaler | Sales tax or resale permit, often with the EIN | Your state revenue agency |
How to get the federal number
- Form the business first if it is an LLC or corporation, so the name matches the state record.
- Apply with the IRS. Online answers in the same session, and fax takes about 11 business days. How to apply for an EIN has the steps.
- Keep the CP 575 letter. Banks ask for it as proof of the number.
How to get a state number
You register with your state’s revenue or labor agency once you have the EIN, and only if you will collect sales tax or run payroll there. How to get a state tax ID number covers it.
When you may not need a separate number
A sole proprietor with no employees can use an SSN for federal taxes, though many get an EIN to keep the SSN off W-9s. Who needs a business EIN goes through each case.
Quick answers
Can I use my SSN as my business tax ID?
A sole proprietor or single-member LLC with no employees can for federal taxes. Banks and many clients will still want a business number.
How do I get a business tax ID number?
Apply to the IRS for an EIN. Then register with your state if you need a sales tax or payroll account there.
How long does it take?
Online, the IRS answers in the same session. By fax it takes about 11 business days, and by mail about 4 weeks.
Does a business have more than one tax ID?
It often does. It has one federal EIN and may also hold state numbers for sales tax and payroll.
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Related guides
- Federal Tax ID Number for a Business: What It Is and How to Get One A federal tax ID number for a business is the EIN. Which businesses need their own, when the owner's SSN is enough, what the number looks like, and the state numbers that are not the same thing.
- How to Get a State Tax ID Number for Your Business There is no single state tax ID. Which accounts your business needs, the steps to register, and each state's sales tax permit name and agency.
- State Tax ID vs Federal EIN: What Is the Difference? The EIN comes from the IRS and is one number per business. State tax IDs come from your state's revenue agency, there can be several, and you usually need the EIN first. Which is which on a W-2, a bank form and a sales tax permit.
- How to Apply for an EIN What to check before you apply for an EIN, where to send it, and what happens after you submit.
- Business EIN: Who Needs One and How to Get It Which businesses must have an EIN, which can skip it, and how to get one.
You can also apply for an EIN directly with the IRS at irs.gov at no cost.