A taxpayer identification number (TIN) is an identification number used by a governmental authority to identify an individual, company, trust, government, or other entity, for income tax purposes.
For U.S. tax purposes, federal and state governments use the following TINs:
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
Example U.S. Corporation with Federal EIN
Company Alpha, a Delaware corporation, was formed on June 30, 2020. The company applied for an EIN via IRS Form SS-4 (Application for EIN). The company is assigned a nine-digit EIN and uses the EIN to open its bank accounts, credit cards, and file federal and state income taxes. In order for the corporation to file its Form 1120 (US Corporation Income Tax Return), it must include its federal EIN.
Identification numbers used on a global scale include the following:
Other Information
Taxpayer’s can find more information on U.S. TIN’s by visiting the IRS website.