Quickly Receive an EIN Tax ID Number Online

You can apply easily online at www.irs.gov for a personal EIN number. Choosing Sole Proprietor is a good choice, if you prefer not giving out your social security number, as an Independent Contractor, or as an Affiliate for sites like ShareASale and others, who require a social security number on the tax forms you file with them. Here is how easy it really is to get your own personal EIN, which I highly recommend, since so many places other than your 'income source' uses your social security number.

1. Start here at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98350,00.html and read all the information first. Evaluate your own situation and your state business vendor laws to find out more on this subject.

2. You can next apply for the EIN number by clicking on the Apply Online, or one of the Apply For an EIN Online, link which takes you to a page with additional important information on the subject. Read all the tax responsibilities of a Sole Proprietor to understand fully how it would apply in your situation. A Sole Proprietor is NOT a separate entity from your personal assets, so make sure you understand it for tax purposes. You have 20 minutes from this point on to complete the application or it will timeout.

3. If you continue then press the "APPLY ONLINE NOW" link near the bottom of the page. This page explains some additional important information on the subject. They really are very informative online providing extensive information to you.

4. The next part is the "Begin Application" button that takes you to the actual forms you fill out. It only takes a few minutes to fill them out and receive your number. You will have to submit your social security number on the online form, unless you prefer to print out a form to mail. They have both options. Make sure to finish filling out the online form, and submit it, within 20 minutes or you will be disconnected forcing you to start over. It is rather short though so hopefully the kids can stay occupied for at least that 20 minutes :).

The best part of having your own personal EIN is to hide your social security number from online income locations, where hackers might be prone to attack, knowing people have to fill out tax forms. This is just one more way you can protect your personal information from identity thieves. As the Internet grows into more of an income producing norm, where your boss could be literlly anywhere in the world; you have less control of your private information that your boss has to collect. You still have to pay taxes on that income, and your boss still has to report it. Why not protect your social security number whenever you can by researching and applying for your own personal EIN number?