Bookkeeping and Accounting Setup
Assess whether your new business has a bookkeeping system, chart of accounts, and process to keep clean records from the start.
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For founders, new owners, and anyone starting out
EIN and Federal Registration
Confirm whether you need a federal EIN and other federal registrations, and what information to gather before applying.
5 guided steps
Private in your browser
Official guidance links
Start the free checker
Your free guided checker
Answer a few quick questions below. It is private - nothing is submitted or stored - and takes about a minute.
Informational business-formation diagnostic only; not legal, tax, accounting, or investment advice. Confirm entity, tax, and state decisions with a qualified attorney and CPA.
The questions this tool walks you through
Here is what the checker asks and why each step matters. Prefer to talk it through? Contact us and we will help directly.
Will your business have more than one owner, operate as any kind of corporation, hire employees, or owe federal excise tax?
Any of these makes an EIN mandatory - the IRS requires one for every corporation and partnership, and for any business that runs payroll or files an excise return.
Use the interactive tool above to see how this applies to your situation.
Official guidance: IRS employer identification number (EIN)
Even though an EIN is not strictly required, would you rather not put your Social Security number on W-9s, invoices, and bank paperwork - and do you want a business bank account?
A single-member LLC or sole proprietor with no employees can use an SSN, but an EIN keeps it private, and most banks ask for one to open a business account.
Get an EIN even though it is optional, to shield your SSN and open a business account. Get an EIN even though it is optional, to shield your SSN and open a business account.
Official guidance: IRS employer identification number (EIN)
Will you sell fuel, tires, air transport, heavy trucks, indoor tanning, or similar goods that carry a federal excise tax?
Excise activities require both an EIN and a separate federal excise registration (often Form 637), filed on top of the ordinary EIN application.
Apply for the EIN and complete the additional excise or regulated-activity registration.
Official guidance: IRS employer identification number (EIN)
Will you manufacture, import, or sell alcohol, tobacco, or firearms, or does your activity need a federal permit from an agency such as the TTB or ATF?
These industries need a federal operating permit before you open, in addition to the EIN - the EIN alone does not authorize the activity.
Apply for the EIN and complete the additional excise or regulated-activity registration.
Official guidance: IRS employer identification number (EIN)
Does the person who will be the responsible party on the application have a U.S. Social Security number or ITIN?
The responsible party is the individual who controls the entity; if they have no SSN or ITIN, the online EIN tool is closed to you and you must file Form SS-4 by fax or mail.
Apply for the EIN online now and name a responsible party with an SSN or ITIN. File Form SS-4 by fax or mail because the responsible party has no U.S. taxpayer ID.
Official guidance: IRS employer identification number (EIN)
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