EIN vs. TIN vs. SSN vs. ITIN: Which Number Is Which
Last updated September 3, 2026 · Written by the EIN Registration filing team
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| Number | Identifies | Issued by | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSN | A person eligible for Social Security | Social Security Administration | 3-2-4 digits |
| ITIN | A person who must file U.S. taxes but cannot get an SSN | IRS, on Form W-7 | 3-2-4 digits, starts with 9 |
| EIN (FEIN) | A business, estate, trust, nonprofit or plan | IRS, on Form SS-4 | 2-7 digits |
| ATIN, PTIN | A child pending adoption; a paid tax preparer | IRS | Specialised, rarely relevant |
EIN vs. SSN
An SSN belongs to a person; an EIN belongs to an entity. A sole proprietor is a person, so a sole proprietor may use their SSN for the business and is not required to have an EIN, though most get one to keep the SSN off business paperwork. When a sole proprietor needs an EIN. An LLC, corporation, partnership, estate or trust is not a person, and needs an EIN whenever a form asks for the entity’s number.
EIN vs. ITIN
Both are issued by the IRS and both are for taxpayers who cannot use an SSN, which is why they are confused. An ITIN is for an individual; an EIN is for an entity. A foreign founder might have an ITIN for their personal return and an EIN for their U.S. LLC, and the ITIN can be the responsible party’s number on the LLC’s EIN application. EIN with an ITIN.
EIN vs. FEIN vs. tax ID
The same number. “Federal employer identification number” is the full name; FEIN, EIN, federal tax ID and business tax ID all refer to it. The word “employer” is historical; an entity with no employees still gets an EIN. State tax IDs are different: each state issues its own account numbers for sales tax, withholding and so on, and those are not the EIN.
Which number a form is asking for
- W-9. Either. A sole proprietor gives their SSN or EIN; an entity gives its EIN.
- W-2 box b. The employer’s EIN.
- 1099, payer box. The payer’s EIN, or SSN if the payer is a sole proprietor without one.
- Form 1040. Your SSN or ITIN. Never an EIN.
- Schedule C. Your SSN at the top; the business’s EIN in its own box if you have one.
- Business bank account, entity. The EIN.
- State tax registration. The EIN, and the state then issues its own account number.
Quick answers
Is a TIN the same as an EIN?
An EIN is one kind of TIN. Every EIN is a TIN; not every TIN is an EIN.
Can a business have an SSN?
No. A sole proprietorship uses the owner’s SSN because it is not separate from the owner. Any other business uses an EIN.
Can a person have an EIN?
A person acting as a sole proprietor or household employer can obtain one. It identifies their business activity, not them; their personal return still uses the SSN.
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Related guides
- What Is an EIN Used For? (And Who Needs One) The 7 things an EIN unlocks, who the IRS actually requires to have one, and when an SSN is enough.
- Do I Need an EIN? (Every Situation, Answered) Banks require one in almost every case and the IRS requires one in six. Single-member LLC, sole proprietor, DBA, no employees, contractor, rental property, and the bank account question, each answered plainly.
- Can You Get an EIN With an ITIN? Yes. An ITIN works as the responsible party's number on Form SS-4. Which application methods accept it, which do not, and what to do when you have neither an SSN nor an ITIN.
- EIN Lookup: How to Find Your EIN (or Another Company's) Your own EIN is on five documents you already have. Another company's EIN is public only in specific cases. Where to look, in order, and the one route that always works.
EIN Registration is an independent document preparation and filing service and is not affiliated with the IRS or any government agency. You can also apply for an EIN directly with the IRS at irs.gov at no cost.