How to Get an EIN (Tax ID Number) in Virginia
Anyone who employs staff in the Old Dominion needs to know how to get a Virginia EIN number. An EIN is a tax ID number for sole proprietors, corporations, or other entities that gives them legal designation as employers for tax filing reasons. You also need this number for corporate and partnership federal tax returns and business banking purposes.
However, it’s not just big businesses in VA that need to get an EIN – if your entity hires anyone on a W-2 basis, then it applies to you. You will also need this number to file tax returns for estates, retirement accounts, non-profit organizations, and a few other types of entities.
Even if you’re just a family who hired a nanny. If you’ve had staff or employees and issued wages to them, then you must get an EIN. Luckily, it’s relatively simple and fast to apply for an EIN online in Virginia.
How to Apply for a Tax ID Number in Virginia
If you need an EIN number Virginia makes it easy to apply. All you have to do is complete the Form SS-4, which is the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) official application for an EIN.
Prepare the Required Information
Start by collecting the information that you’ll need in order to proceed with the application. The Form SS-4 details all the necessary information, including:
● Legal and trade name of the business, entity, or individual receiving the EIN
● Location of the entity, including mailing address, street address, and county
● Type of entity, e.g. sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, church, or nonprofit
● The principal activity of the business (e.g. construction, real estate, healthcare, transportation, leasing)
● LLC (Limited Liability Company) information
● Reason for applying for an EIN (e.g. new business, new employees, compliance with IRS withholding, banking reasons. etc.)
● The highest number of employees expected in the next 12 months
● The first date that the entity paid wages or expects to pay wages
● Third-party designee’s name, if any
On the application, you will have to note why you’re applying for this number. Likely, several reasons will apply. Simply choose the option that is your main reason for getting this number.
Apply Online
You can apply for a Virginia tax ID number online, which is quick and convenient since there is no processing time.
To apply online for an EIN number Virginia residents can simply follow the process as they’re prompted on the online application. The online form uses the same information as the paper form, so the details you prepared in the previous step will come in handy.
As soon as you finish the application, you’ll receive your EIN instantly. That makes online applications a great choice for individuals and businesses that need to receive their tax ID numbers fast.
Submit Your Application Via Mail
When applying for an EIN number Virginia residents can submit their applications by mail. Make sure that you submit your paper application four to five weeks before you’ll actually need the EIN number to be active. That’s because it takes up to five weeks for the IRS to process your application and send your EIN by mail.
When you’ve completed the paper application, check the included instructions to find the correct address to mail it to. There are two addresses for the IRS to receive applications: one for applicants who reside within the US and one for those who don’t have a US residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s common to have some questions about an EIN, especially if you’ve never applied for one before. Here’s what you need to know about Virginia EIN numbers:
A tax ID number is a 9-digit number that the IRS uses to identify taxpayers who file federal tax returns for their businesses. You need an EIN in Virginia if you employ staff of any kind, whether you’re a small biz employer, a nonprofit, or a family with house staff.
No, EINs are not issued by the Virginia Secretary of State. Instead, all EINs are issued directly from the IRS. That’s true of EINs in every state.
An EIN is the same as a Virginia tax ID number for employer purposes. For non-employers and individuals, a tax ID number may refer to a TIN (taxpayer identification number) or SSN (social security number).