1225 Form SS-4 (PDF) — verbatim text

Official source: IRS Forms, Instructions & Publications (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf), retrieved 2026-10-03. U.S. Government work (17 U.S.C. § 105).

9a Type of entity (check only one box). Caution: If 8a is “Yes,” see the instructions for the correct box to check.

Sole proprietor (SSN) Estate (SSN of decedent) Partnership Plan administrator (TIN) Corporation (enter form number to be filed) Trust (TIN of grantor)

Church or church-controlled organization Farmers’ cooperative Federal government Other nonprofit organization (specify) REMIC Indian tribal governments/enterprises

Hired employees (Check the box and see line 13.) Created a trust (specify type)

15 First date wages or annuities were paid (month, day, year). Note: If applicant is a withholding agent, enter date income will first be paid to nonresident alien (month, day, year) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16 Check one box that best describes the principal activity of your business. Health care & social assistance Wholesale—agent/broker

Construction Rental & leasing Transportation & warehousing Accommodation & food service Wholesale—other Retail Real estate Manufacturing Finance & insurance Other (specify)

17 Indicate principal line of merchandise sold, specific construction work done, products produced, or services provided.

18 Has the applicant entity shown on line 1 ever applied for and received an EIN? Yes No

If “Yes,” write previous EIN here

Third Party Designee

Complete this section only if you want to authorize the named individual to receive the entity’s EIN and answer questions about the completion of this form. Designee’s name Designee’s telephone number (include area code)

Address and ZIP code Designee’s fax number (include area code)

Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this application, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true, correct, and complete.

Name and title (type or print clearly)

Signature Date

Applicant’s telephone number (include area code)

Applicant’s fax number (include area code)

For Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see separate instructions. Cat. No. 16055N Form SS-4 (Rev. 12-2025) Created 10/17/25

Form SS-4 (Rev. 12-2025) Page 2

See below to determine whether you need an EIN. However, for further information on applying for an EIN, including how to submit an EIN application, see the separate instructions at www.irs.gov/FormSS4.

Do I Need an EIN?¶

File Form SS-4 if the applicant entity doesn’t already have an EIN but is required to show an EIN on any return, statement, or other document. ¹ See also the separate instructions for each line on Form SS-4.

IF the applicant...	AND...	THEN...
started a new business	doesn’t currently have (nor expect to have) employees	complete lines 1, 2, 4a–8a, 8b–c (if applicable), 9a, 9b (if applicable), 10–14, and 16–18.
hired (or will hire) employees, including household employees	doesn’t already have an EIN	complete lines 1, 2, 4a–6, 7a–b, 8a, 8b–c (if applicable), 9a, 9b (if applicable), and 10–18.
opened a bank account	needs an EIN for banking purposes only	complete lines 1–5b, 7a–b, 8a, 8b–c (if applicable), 9a, 9b (if applicable), 10, and 18.
changed type of organization	either the legal character of the organization or its ownership changed (for example, you incorporate a sole proprietorship or form a partnership)2	complete lines 1–18 (as applicable).
purchased a going business3	doesn’t already have an EIN	complete lines 1–18 (as applicable).
created a trust	the trust is other than a grantor trust or an IRA trust4	complete lines 1–18 (as applicable).
created a pension plan as a plan administrator5	needs an EIN for reporting purposes	complete lines 1, 3, 4a–5b, 7a–b, 9a, 10, and 18.
is a foreign person needing an EIN to comply with IRS withholding regulations	needs an EIN to complete a Form W-8 (other than Form W-8ECI), avoid withholding on portfolio assets, or claim tax treaty benefits6	complete lines 1–5b, 7a–b (SSN or ITIN as applicable), 8a, 8b–c (if applicable), 9a, 9b (if applicable), 10, and 18.
is administering an estate	needs an EIN to report estate income on Form 1041	complete lines 1–7b, 9a, 10–12, 13–17 (if applicable), and 18.
is a withholding agent for taxes on nonwage income paid to an alien (that is, individual, corporation, or partnership, etc.)	is an agent, broker, fiduciary, manager, tenant, or spouse who is required to file Form 1042, Annual Withholding Tax Return for U.S. Source Income of Foreign Persons	complete lines 1, 2, 3 (if applicable), 4a–5b, 7a–b, 8a, 8b–c (if applicable), 9a, 9b (if applicable), 10, and 18.
is a state or local agency	serves as a tax reporting agent for public assistance recipients under Rev. Proc. 80-4, 1980-1 C.B. 5817	complete lines 1, 2, 4a–5b, 7a–b, 9a, 10, and 18.
is a single-member LLC (or similar single-member entity)	needs an EIN to file Form 8832, Entity Classification Election, for filing employment tax returns and excise tax returns, or for state reporting purposes8, or is a foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity and needs an EIN to file Form 5472, Information Return of a 25% Foreign-Owned U.S. Corporation or a Foreign Corporation Engaged in a U.S. Trade or Business	complete lines 1–18 (as applicable).
is an S corporation	needs an EIN to file Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation9	complete lines 1–18 (as applicable).

1 For example, a sole proprietorship or self-employed farmer who establishes a qualified retirement plan, or is required to file excise, employment, alcohol, tobacco, or firearms returns, must have an EIN. A partnership, corporation, REMIC (real estate mortgage investment conduit), nonprofit organization (church, club, etc.), or farmers’ cooperative must use an EIN for any tax-related purpose even if the entity doesn’t have employees.

2 However, don’t apply for a new EIN if the existing entity only (a) changed its business name, (b) elected on Form 8832 to change the way it is taxed (or is covered by the default rules), or (c) terminated its partnership status because at least 50% of the total interests in partnership capital and profits were sold or exchanged within a 12month period. The EIN of the terminated partnership should continue to be used. See Regulations section 301.6109-1(d)(2)(iii).

3 Don’t use the EIN of the prior business unless you became the “owner” of a corporation by acquiring its stock.

4 However, grantor trusts that don’t file using Optional Method 1 and IRA trusts that are required to file Form 990-T, Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return, must have an EIN. For more information on grantor trusts, see the Instructions for Form 1041.

5 A plan administrator is the person or group of persons specified as the administrator by the instrument under which the plan is operated.

6 Entities applying to be a Qualified Intermediary (QI) need a QI-EIN even if they already have an EIN. See Rev. Proc. 2000-12.

7 See also Household employer agent in the instructions. Note: State or local agencies may need an EIN for other reasons, for example, hired employees.

8 See Disregarded entities in the instructions for details on completing Form SS-4 for an LLC.

9 An existing corporation that is electing or revoking S corporation status should use its previously assigned EIN.

Exceptions & meaning →