As a business owner, you probably know your company needs an EIN (or Tax ID Number) issued by the IRS for tax purposes. But what if you own multiple businesses or operate different divisions of the same entity? Do you need more than one EIN? Is there a limit on how many you can have? Here are some explanations that might help clarify these questions.

Is There A Limit On How Many Eins I Can Have?

For Sole Proprietors, only one EIN can be issued to the individual. The Sole Proprietor may change the business type/name by filing the appropriate documentation with his or her local municipality. For all other entities, there are no limits on the number of EINs one may file for new businesses.

Do I Need More Than One EIN?

This also depends on how your business operates. Suppose your business is a single entity with different divisions. In that case, it does not require each division to have its own EIN. One EIN can be used for the entire entity.

Business owners should carefully consider how their business is operated. The best choice may be to operate it as a single entity if managing multiple separate entities would be too costly or complicated. Other issues like taxes, entity type, and ownership issues should also be reviewed before making a decision. Depending on the business owner’s situation, separating the business into different entities may also be beneficial. In this case, it would be necessary to apply for another or multiple EINs.

It is also important to note that if a business changes ownership or the structure of the business is re-organized, the owner may be required to apply for a new EIN.

Can I Have More Than One EIN?

If you run a business, you probably already have an EIN. However, as your company grows or you start new businesses, you may wonder, “Do I need a new EIN?” Here are some answers to help you understand when you can have multiple EINs

Can You Have 2 EIN Numbers For The Same Business?

If you only run one business entity, the IRS will only issue you a single EIN. Having multiple tax ID numbers for a single company is impossible or necessary.

Can You Have Multiple EIN Numbers For Different Divisions?

As your business expands or changes, you may decide to open different divisions. Depending on how you decide to structure your multiple subsidiaries, you may need several EINs. You may be able to operate multiple divisions under a single parent company, meaning you only need one tax ID number. However, if you decide it’s best to separate your divisions into distinct entities, you’ll need an EIN for each subsidiary.

Can You Have More Than One Ein If You Run Multiple Companies?

As an entrepreneur, you may start multiple entities such as corporations, limited liability companies, or partnerships. In this case, it’s necessary to obtain multiple EINs for each separate entity. This is because the IRS requires independent identification for tax purposes.

What If I Forgot My EIN?

Sometimes, business owners lose the paperwork with their EIN on it. It might seem most convenient to reapply and secure a new EIN; however, the IRS will decline your application because a single business entity cannot have more than one EIN. If you find that you have forgotten or misplaced your EIN, there are a few actions you can take:

· Look through your original business filing paperwork for the receipt

· Review old tax returns

· Look at your bank records to see if they list your EIN

· Talk with your accountant or tax preparer

· Check with the IRS

What Circumstances Require A New EIN?

Although an EIN is assigned to a business for the entity’s life, there are some situations in which you would need a new or additional EIN. The main reason that businesses find they need to apply for an EIN is that they have changed their business structure. For example, a partnership that dissolves into a Sole Proprietorship or decides to incorporate must apply for a new EIN.

Other Situations In Which You Need A New EIN To Include:

Sole Proprietorships undergoing bankruptcy
A statutory merger leads to the formation of a new corporation
A subsidiary of a Corporation
The Secretary of State issues a new charter for a corporation
A Partnership ends, and a new one begins
An existing Sole Proprietor business is purchased or inherited

Changes to the name or location of your business generally do not require a new EIN, although you might need to inform the IRS of these changes.

The simple answer to the question of how many EINs you are allowed is as many as the number of business entities you have. A single business or entity can have only one. However, there are situations where you will need to apply for a new one due to changes to your business.

If your business needs another or multiple EINs, Tax & Law Research Inc. can help. We remove the angst and aggravation of filing government documents, helping you avoid common mistakes to get things done right the first time. Contact us now.