Obtain An Employer Identification Number
What is an Employer Identification Number?
An Employer Identification Number, or EIN, is like a Social Security Number, but for your business. You might also see an EIN referred to as a Federal Tax Identification Number, FTIN or TIN. It helps both you, and those you do business with, identify your business as a unique entity.
Why does my business need an EIN?
US businesses require an EIN for a variety of reasons. An EIN helps the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, identify your business quickly and easily. If you want to do business with the City or any other governmental agency, you will need an EIN to complete various forms and applications.
How do I obtain an EIN?
- EINs are easy to obtain and entirely free. They are issued by the IRS. The application to obtain an EIN can be completed online. Simply visit IRS Website - Employer ID Numbers and click “Apply for an EIN Online."
- You can also apply for an EIN via fax, mail, or phone, but the process will generally take a little longer. The directions for each of these methods can be found on this page.
- If you require additional assistance with registering for an EIN, you may consult the Resource Library.
How long does it take to obtain an EIN?
- The online application takes minutes. After you have completed the application successfully, an EIN will be issued to you right away. However, please note that the online EIN service is only available on weekdays between 6AM and 9PM Central Time.
- Applying for an EIN via fax takes about a week, while applying by mail takes between four and five weeks.
Identify Your Industry Codes
What are industry codes?
Industry codes, also referred to as North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes, help describe what your business does. For example, if your business is a Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction, then your NAICS code is 237310.
Why does my business need NAICS codes?
Cities and government agencies use industry codes for things like taxation and licensing, which means you’ll need them in order to do business with the City of . These codes help the government quickly and correctly identify what your business does. Many of the forms you’ll encounter in this process will require an industry code.
How can I identify the NAICS codes for my business?
You can determine the NAICS code(s) for your business in just a few clicks. Visit the NAICS Search online tool and write down the applicable codes for your scope of work.
- You may contact a resource partner if you require additional assistance with NAICS identification.
Obtain a SAM.gov account
- Register online (free)!
- Especially important for businesses seeking government contracts.