Online.   You can receive your EIN by internet and use it immediately to file a return or make a payment. Go to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/businesses and click on Employer ID Numbers under topics.

Telephone.   You can receive your EIN by telephone and use it immediately to file a return or make a payment. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-4933. (International applicants must call 215-516-6999.) The hours of operation are 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The person making the call must be authorized to sign the form or be an authorized designee. See Signature and Third Party Designee on page 6. Also see the TIP below.

  If you are applying by telephone, it will be helpful to complete Form SS-4 before contacting the IRS. An IRS representative will use the information from the Form SS-4 to establish your account and assign you an EIN. Write the number you are given on the upper right corner of the form and sign and date it. Keep this copy for your records.

  If requested by an IRS representative, mail or fax (facsimile) the signed Form SS-4 (including any Third Party Designee authorization) within 24 hours to the IRS address provided by the IRS representative.

  

  Taxpayer representatives can apply for an EIN on behalf of their client and request that the EIN be faxed to their client on the same day. Note: By using this procedure, you are authorizing the IRS to fax the EIN without a cover sheet.

Fax.   Under the Fax-TIN program, you can receive your EIN by fax within 4 business days. Complete and fax Form SS-4 to the IRS using the Fax-TIN number listed on page 2 for your state. A long-distance charge to callers outside of the local calling area will apply. Fax-TIN numbers can only be used to apply for an EIN. The numbers may change without notice. Fax-TIN is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

  Be sure to provide your fax number so the IRS can fax the EIN back to you. Note: By using this procedure, you are authorizing the IRS to fax the EIN without a cover sheet.

Mail.   Complete Form SS-4 at least 4 to 5 weeks before you will need an EIN. Sign and date the application and mail it to the service center address for your state. You will receive your EIN in the mail in approximately 4 weeks. See also Third Party Designee on page 6.

Phone.   You can order forms, instructions, and publications by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). You should receive your order or notification of its status within 10 workdays.

Personal computer.   With your personal computer and modem, you can get the forms and information you need using the IRS website at www.irs.gov or File Transfer Protocol at ftp.irs.gov.

CD-ROM.   For small businesses, return preparers, or others who may frequently need tax forms or publications, a CD-ROM containing over 2,000 tax products (including many prior year forms) can be purchased from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS).

  To order Pub. 1796, Federal Tax Products on
CD-ROM, call 1-877-CDFORMS (1-877-233-6767) toll free or connect to www.irs.gov/cdorders.

IRS-sponsored Small Business Workshops provide information about your Federal and state tax obligations. For information about workshops in your area, call 1-800-829-4933.