What Is a Tax Identification Number? Definition, How to Get One

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What is a tax ID number?
- Federal: $79 to $139. Free version available for Simple Form 1040 returns only.
- State: $0 to $69 per state.
- Expert help or full service filing is available with an upgrade to Live packages for a fee.
Types of TIN numbers
Individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN)
- You can’t claim the earned income tax credit if you’re using an ITIN to file your taxes.
- ITINs always begin with the number 9.
- Expirations: Any individual tax ID number not used on a tax return at least once for tax years 2020, 2021, and 2022 expired at the end of 2023. ITINs with middle digits containing 70 through 88, and 90 through 99 (if assigned before 2013), have also expired.
Employer identification number (EIN)
- Your business may also need a separate state employer ID number.
- Only one EIN can be issued to a responsible party per day.
- If you lose track of your EIN, the IRS has a tool that can help you to locate it.
- Federal: $79 to $139. Free version available for Simple Form 1040 returns only.
- State: $0 to $69 per state.
- Expert help or full service filing is available with an upgrade to Live packages for a fee.
Adoption taxpayer identification number (ATIN)
- You cannot claim the earned income tax credit with this tax ID number (you can only use a Social Security number to do that).
- It takes four to eight weeks to get an ATIN once the IRS gets your Form W-7A, so ask for it well before your tax return is due.
- Unless you notify the IRS that the adoption is still pending, the IRS will automatically deactivate an ATIN after two years.
Preparer tax identification number (PTIN)
- Volunteer preparers don’t need PTINs.
- You can look up the preparer on the IRS' PTIN directory.
Article sources
- 1. Internal Revenue Service. Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN). Accessed Dec 4, 2023.
- 1. Internal Revenue Service. Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN). Accessed Dec 12, 2024.
- 1. Internal Revenue Service. Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN). Accessed May 15, 2023.
- 4. IRS. Individual Taxpayer Identification Number: Expired ITINs. Accessed Dec 12, 2024.
- 5. Internal Revenue Service. Do You Need an EIN?. Accessed May 15, 2023.
- 6. Internal Revenue Service. Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number. Accessed Dec 12, 2024.
- 7. Internal Revenue Service. Ptin Requirements for Tax Return Preparers. Accessed Dec 4, 2023.
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