Obtain a Federal Tax ID (EIN) Number in California | Tax ID Application
Are you a new Corporation that needs a California Tax ID (EIN) Number? Do you know the process to go through to obtain such documentation? If you do not have the answers or are unsure of the process, you need the California Tax ID Application Guide. Having the guide, you can go through the process with ease no matter the type of LLC or other type of organization you have. The online application process can let you get an EIN number in less than one hour!
Steps to Obtain your Tax ID (EIN) Number in California :
- Prepare Required Information
- Apply for a Federal Tax ID Number Online
- Apply for a Federal Tax ID Number in California by Phone, Mail or Fax
- How Do I Get a Tax ID Number in California?
- How Long Does It Take to Get a Tax ID Number in California?
- How Do I Get a California State Tax ID Number?
Prepare Required Information
If you want to make things as easy on yourself as possible, start by gathering the information you’ll need during the application process. No matter which steps you take to complete your tax ID application, you’ll need to answer the same questions about you, your business, and your cofounders; if you have that information on hand, things will go much quicker.
For starters, you’ll need the full legal names and addresses of everyone associated with the business (i.e., partners or founding members). You’ll also need to gather the social security numbers of all those members and the legal name of your business. This process shouldn’t take long.
Apply for a Federal Tax ID Number Online
Once you’ve got that information in place, you’ll have several options for how to complete the application process. While traditional methods are available, including applications over the phone and via mail or fax, you’re much better off completing your tax ID application online. The online process is much faster than other traditional methods, which means you’ll be able to get your tax ID faster and begin operations and generating revenue faster.
The online application process is much easier than other methods. As long as you have an internet connection and a device to take advantage of it, you can gain access to the questionnaire. And since you can answer the questions easily online, you should be able to complete the application in record time. Beyond that, online processing times are much faster than those associated with phone, mail, or fax; in fact, after completing the application, you should get your tax ID via email in an hour or less.
Apply for a Federal Tax ID Number in California by Phone, Mail or Fax
It is possible to apply for your tax ID through other methods, however; you can apply through one of a few other processes. You can call a representative and answer the application questions over the phone, or you can fill out a paper application by hand. After completing a physical application, you can mail or fax it in. This usually takes longer than applying online, but the real disadvantage here is the processing time. Compared to the hour it takes to process an online application, these applications can take up to 4 to 6 weeks to finish processing, at which point you’ll receive your tax ID via traditional mail.
How Do I Get a Tax ID Number in California?
Many California businesses will need a tax ID, also referred to as an employer identification number (EIN). You’ll need this tax ID number if you’re operating a business with more than one person (such as an LLC with multiple partners, a partnership, or a corporation). You’ll also need one if you plan on hiring employees, as the name suggests. You’ll be using this ID number for a variety of financial and logistical applications as well. For example, you’ll need one if you’re going to apply for a business bank account or significant business loan, or if you’re getting some types of business licenses and permits. If you’re ready to get your tax ID, you’ll need to follow the application process. This process will register your business with the federal government and provide you with a tax ID you can use for these purposes. While there are several options for obtaining a tax ID, the best option is applying online, since it’s more convenient and you’ll get your tax ID much faster.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Tax ID Number in California?
There are a few factors that can affect how long it takes to get your tax ID in California. For starters, you need to consider how long it will take you to fill out the application. If you have all the information in front of you already (as advised by the first section of this article), it should only take you a few minutes. If you’re applying online, filling out the questionnaire should be even faster.
The real-time constraint becomes a serious factor when considering the processing time for your application. If you’re applying online, the processing time for a tax ID can be as little as one hour. However, if you’re applying via mail or fax you may face a much worse processing time, sometimes up to 4 to 6 weeks. It’s one of many reasons why applying online is advantageous.
How Do I Get a California State Tax ID Number?
In addition to your EIN, or federal tax ID, your business may also need a California state tax ID. Though the names are similar, these are two distinct IDs, with two different purposes. You’ll need a California state tax ID if you’re going to owe excise taxes on certain regulated products (like alcohol or tobacco products), if you’re selling taxable goods and services in the state of California, or if you’re going to hire employees in the state of California.
Fortunately, obtaining a California state tax ID is a similar process to getting your federal tax ID, or EIN. You’ll need to fill out an application, covering many of the same pieces of information, then wait for that application to process. However, state tax IDs often take much longer to process than their federal counterparts. Even applying online, it may take several days to several weeks to get your California state tax ID. Even so, online applications are much faster than traditional applications.