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As you begin your blog, you will want to get a free EIN number (Employer Identification Number). An EIN number allows you to not have to use your social security number everywhere. I want to share with you how to apply for EIN number. Applying for EIN number is not a difficult process at all.
According to the IRS website…
“This EIN is your permanent number and can be used immediately for most of your business needs, including opening a bank account, applying for business licenses, and filing a tax return by mail.”
Get Free EIN Number
What I am finding is that many people don’t know that you can apply for an EIN for free. Actually, I didn’t know that either when I got my first one – I think I paid $45 to some company to get it. And just today I was talking to someone who was going to be charged $80 to get one.
The good news for us all is that you can just to go the IRS website and use their online application and within about 5 minutes you will have a PDF approval letter showing your newly created EIN for your business – without spending a dime.
Get your EIN Now
Want to get one now? You won’t believe how easy it is. Just follow these simple steps when applying for an EIN number…
- Go to the IRS EIN page and scroll down to the bottom and click the link that says “APPLY ONLINE NOW.” You will find the EIN number application.
- Click the “Begin Application” button to apply for EIN number
- Answer about 10-15 quick questions
- That’s it! You just got a free EIN number.
Note: Be warned that if you leave your computer for 15 minutes during the application process the EIN website will kick you out and you will have to start over.
After you submit your application, you will get a PDF document with your EIN. I suggest saving that you save it somewhere safe just so you don’t forget it. It isn’t very easy to look up your EIN number. Once you forget it – most websites out there want to charge you to do an EIN lookup. So save yourself the hassle and don’t forget it!
Apply for an EIN over the phone
If you have trouble with the online EIN application process, you can call the IRS and apply EIN over the phone at (800) 829-4933 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
another great post! I have some questions about when you create a business for a blog/youtube/googleadense/whatever income working for yourself? I should probly take some business classes..got any resources or going to do a future post about this? thanks! Love the site!
Jon, I think there is a bit on this topic that we can write about – can you give me some more specific questions or topics?
yeah sorry kinda vague.
So say I start making money via google adsense, youtube or blog.
Say it becomes substantial, at what point would I create a business, DBA?, or what I don’t know? For I’m assuming tax reasons, writing off equipment purchases.
Am I on the right track here?
I guess I feel it is not so easily answered, but maybe it is.
ok, got it, keep an eye out early next week for some posts addressing some of this…
Bob,
Thanks for this great info. I didn’t know you can get EIN for free. I thought you have to incorporate or form a company before you can get a EIN 🙂
How can someone blog and get paid? I don’t understand that.
Thanks! I almost paid for this service but I’m glad I found your blog. You just made my day brighter and the world a better place 🙂
Awesome. Glad it helped.
Thanks!
Thank you soo much for posting this. Your site saved me almost $200 for a service that is absolutly FREE.
Awesome! Great to hear!
Great info…extremely helpful…but a bit confused…I am planning to open a website business and was told that I would need to form a LLC first.. but in your article I read that you don’t need to form a LLC when you start all you need is an EIN number for tax purposes..I’m confused and don’t know what to do first
We added an LLC later. The EIN is more important for tax purposes and so that you dont have your social security number all over the web. Most affiliate programs are going to want info on taxes up front. The LLC just helps to remove you from any personal liability and some other tax advantages, but always consult a lawyer.
i WAS ABOUT TO BE CHARGED 179$$ FOR MY EIN NUMBER I GOOGLED IT ONE MORE TIME AND FOUND THIS BLOG THANKS SO VERY MUCH SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND THATS STOCK MONEY RIGHT THERE
WOW!! That was it now i can continue business as usual and get an actual business account to keep track of taxes and what nots im so glad i found this site before i made the mistake of paying 179$$$ for my EIN which by the way is free and you can get it in PDF> form thanks so much bloggers
Wow thank you very much I did not know it was that easy. I am so grateful for this information.
Thank you so much for this!!
I just used your instructions so I could become an affiliate with Amazon. Thank you for the information!
For my blog it’s my sister and I who run it. We should pick partnership right? Instead of sole proprietor.
Really useful information. I was searching for the same form some time ago and found a great service with a huge forms library. You’ll forget about paperwork when you try PDFfiller. a form can be filled out in 5-10 mins here
http://goo.gl/4qsIEuI’m trying to apply for EIN for my LLC, when getting to the screen where I need to insert my details (name, family, ITIN) I get an error message saying that the details are not matching the IRS records and I’m not able to continue
Any idea what’s going on and how I can solve this?
This was SO helpful. Thanks so much!!
Thanks! I need a “That was easy!” button! I appreciate it!
Hi Bob
I have read your blog i found it very interesting.
So how does it work for someone who live outsite of the US and who wants to blog legally?
Is there a way for him to get this number even if he doesn’t an ssn,