For tax purposes, are the EIN and the federal tax id# the same thing?

Question

On the W9 form, there is a spot to enter either your SS# or your EIN #........is the EIN also known as the federal tax # for your business operation?

Answer 1

Short answer--yep.

Answer 2

You use the social security number if you are an individual taxpayer. You use the EIN or the employer federal tax number if you are a business. The ein and federal tax number are the same thing. A business filing could be a schedule C you file with your 1040 or a partnership or corporation.

Answer 3

EIN is Employers Identification Number
TIN is Taxpayers Identification Number
You, personally have a TIN - which is the same thing as your SSN - Social Security Number.
If your business operation is a sole proprietorship, you can use your SSN.
If you have employees, you must have an EIN for your business. I believe that you must also have an EIN for a corporation you have whether or not you have employees.

Answer 4

Yes.