How to Get an EIN (Tax ID) Number in South Carolina
If you’re a business owner or looking to open a business, you need to have a South Carolina EIN number to comply with tax regulations. It’s a simple process for South Carolina residents to get a tax ID number – all it takes is three steps. Simply gather the information for your application, apply, and then wait for your EIN to show up! Now, to point you in the right direction, let’s take a deeper look at those steps.
How to Apply for a Tax ID Number in South Carolina
When in need of an EIN number South Carolina residents can submit the Form SS-4. This allows you to apply for a federal tax ID in South Carolina (or anywhere else). You can submit this form through the mail, or you can apply for your tax ID number online. In either case, you need key details about your business to complete the application.
Note that once you apply for a South Carolina EIN number, you must report any changes to your address, location, or responsible party by filling out and submitting the Form 8822-B within 60 days of the change. It’s also important to note that while EINs don’t expire, they also shouldn’t transfer. If you’re buying a business from someone who has an existing EIN or if you’re changing the structure of your business, you will need to get a new EIN.
Prepare the Required Information
Make sure to have all your required information and data on hand before you start the application process. You’ll need to have:
● Legal name of the entity or individual in the case of an estate
● Business trade name
● Executor, administrator, or trustee name
● Mailing address, street address, and county location
● Limited Liability Company (LLC) information
● Type of entity
● The date your business was acquired or formed
● Your accounting year’s closing month
● The highest number of employees you expect to have this year
● The first date you paid wages
● Your third-party designee, if any
Apply Online
You can apply for an EIN online. However, if you apply online, you must qualify first by:
● Having a principal business in the U.S. or U.S. territory
● Having a valid Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN)
● Not applying for another EIN on the same business day
As long as you qualify, you can follow the online application, which will prompt you through the process. You must finish the Form SS-4 online in one sitting, since the application times out after 15 minutes or so and you can’t save it. Once it times out, you must start over from scratch.
When in need of an EIN number South Carolina residents should use an online application to get their EIN the quickest. As soon as you finish your application, you’ll receive your South Carolina tax ID number immediately.
Submit Your Application Via Mail
Applying by mail takes longer than applying for an EIN online. While online applications are instant, mail applications take 4-5 weeks to process. For that reason, it’s important to apply with plenty of time before you actually need to use the EIN number South Carolina issues you.
You can apply for an EIN by mail by printing and completing the application. Then mail the application to the IRS using the address indicated on the instruction section, Where to File or Fax. There are two separate addresses to use depending on whether you have a legal residence in the United States or the District of Columbia.
Frequently Asked Questions
A South Carolina EIN number is a nine-digit identifier for taxpayers who have employer status. It takes the format 12-3456789. It may apply to you if you are an employer such as a sole proprietor, corporation, partnership, estate, or trust in South Carolina.
No, EINs are not issued by the South Carolina Secretary of State. EINs are issued by the IRS as of 2023, and that holds true for all states.
Yes, an EIN is the same as a South Carolina tax ID number for those with employer status. However, it’s not the same as a TIN, or taxpayer identification number, which is used for individuals regardless of their employer status.