This number is issued by the Internal Revenue Service. All businesses that pay employees must have one.

The application form for this ID number is called an SS-4, and may be obtained by visiting your local IRS office, by calling 1-800-829-3676 (TAX-FORM) or by visiting the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov.

This number must be used on all employment forms and correspondence relating to the business. If a form must be filed prior to the time a number is issued, then write "Applied For" in the space allotted for the EIN.