How To Get A EIN (Tax ID) Wisconsin
Anyone who pays employees needs to know how to get an EIN in Wisconsin. An EIN is an employer identification number (EIN), or a tax identifier that shows that you’re an employer in the state of Wisconsin.
You may need an EIN if you’re any of these:
● An individual who pays an employee (or employees)
● A partnership
● A corporation
● A nonprofit
● A church
Luckily, it’s easy and simple to get an EIN – we’ll walk you through how.
How to Apply for a Tax ID Number in Wisconsin
When you get ready to apply for an EIN number, Wisconsin residents should prepare themselves and get to know the process. You just have to gather your details, complete the Form SS-4 (which acts as an application for an EIN), and turn it in to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) online or through the mail. Here’s a breakdown of the steps involved.
Prepare the Required Information
You’ll need to collect all the information that the Form SS-4 will ask for, including:
● Your entity’s trade name
● Your entity’s legal name, if different from the trade name
● Your entity’s location, county, and mailing address
● Your entity’s principal activities
● The reason you’re applying for an EIN
● The highest number of employees you think you’ll have over the next 12 months
● The first date you paid (or expect to pay) employees through this entity
● Your third-party designee’s name
Before getting started, note that the list above is generic, and you might not have to fill in every line. For instance, if you’re a household head that’s paying a W-2 housekeeper, you don’t really have an entity trade name or principal activities to report, so those fields are moot. If you’re applying for an EIN for a church, similarly, you also don’t have to fill in the principal activities or main merchandise sections.
Apply Online
It’s super fast and simple to apply for a Wisconsin EIN number online. You don’t have to worry about getting your hands on a Form SS-4, and the best part is, you’ll get your EIN number instantly after you apply. That’s a great option if your entity needs an EIN fast.
The online application is straightforward and easy to complete, even for a tax novice. All you’ll need to do is follow the online prompts to fill in the form’s lines. The online form will help guide you in answering the correct lines. Then, you’ll submit the application and get your EIN right away.
Just make sure that you set aside a block of time to complete your online application without interruptions. That’s because the EIN application can’t be saved and it times out after 15 minutes, so if you step away for a moment, your progress can be lost.
Submit Your Application Via Mail
To get an EIN number Wisconsin residents can also apply by mail. Get your application ready around 5 weeks before you’ll need the EIN, since it takes that long for the mail to reach the IRS, then get processed, then have an EIN mailed back to you.
The actual application process is just as quick and easy as the online process. Just acquire the Form SS-4, either by downloading it, checking your local library (many libraries offer free-to-the-public tax forms), or requesting it from the IRS. Then fill in the lines that apply to you, sign it, and ship it off for processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re still wondering about EIN numbers Wisconsin residents can check out the most commonly-asked questions below:
An EIN is a tax ID number that’s specifically designated for employers in the state of Wisconsin (or anywhere else – EINs are federal). If you’re an entity or an individual who pays employees in Wisconsin, then you do need an EIN.
No, EINs are actually issued by the IRS, not the Wisconsin Secretary of State. That’s because EINs are federally issued, not issued on a state level. The Secretary of State can help you register your LLC or trade name, however.
Yes, an EIN is a type of Wisconsin tax ID number for entities and individuals who are employers. There are other types of Wisconsin tax ID numbers, like taxpayer identification numbers (TINs) and social security numbers (SSNs).