Which form serves to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN)?

The form used to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) is Form SS-4. This form is specifically designed for businesses and entities to obtain their EIN from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). An EIN is necessary for various business functions, including opening a business bank account, applying for loans, and filing taxes.

Form SS-4 requires the applicant to provide essential details about the business structure, the responsible party, and the reasons for applying for the EIN. This information helps the IRS to accurately assign an EIN to the appropriate entity and manage their tax accounts effectively.

In contrast, Form SS-5 is used for applying for a Social Security card, Form W-9 is utilized to provide taxpayer identification information to a requester, and Form SS-8 is employed to request a determination of worker classification. Hence, these forms do not serve the purpose of applying for an EIN and are utilized for entirely different reasons.