We have two options for you to provide us with your required signature. The preferred method for fastest processing is a secure electronic signature right on our website. Or if you prefer, we also make the prepared form available for you to print, sign by hand, and then fax or mail back to us. Simple instructions are provided on the site immediately after you submit payment. Or you can sign later by going to the Existing Customers page, or by clicking the links in one of the signature reminder e-mails we will send you.

Yes. The ID can be used immediately for most of your business needs including opening a bank account, applying for local business licenses, and filing a tax return by mail.

However it can take up to 15 days after receiving your ID to receive official documents in the mail from the IRS, which indicate that your ID has become part of the Internal Revenue Service's permanent records. You must wait until this occurs before you can file an electronic tax return, make an electronic tax payment, or pass an Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Identification Number matching program.

Below are some common issues that can delay the delivery of a Federal Tax ID, along with solutions to them. Please check to see if one of them applies to you and if not, please contact us:
• Have you provided your signature to us on the form SS-4 that we prepared after you submitted payment? This signature is necessary to comply with IRS regulations, and you can provide it in two ways. The recommended method is a fast and secure electronic signature that you can provide right on our site. Or you can also print the form to sign by hand and then fax or mail back to us. To access both options, go to the Existing Customers page.

• Have you been watching the inbox of the e-mail address you provided with your order? Sometimes clarification and/or additional information are required from you and if that is the case, we will attempt to contact you by e-mail from TaxID@SimpleFilings.com. One thing that might cause this is a name and social security number not matching due to marital name changes that was never properly filed with the Social Security Administration. Another is the use of LLC or Inc. in the business name without having properly filed the creation of that LLC or Corporation with the state first.

• Have you checked the Spam/Bulk/Blocked folder of your e-mail? Sometimes (especially with @excite.com e-mail addresses), our e-mails to you from TaxID@SimpleFilings.com are automatically routed to there by accident. Remember, we send all correspondence by e-mail, including the delivery of your Federal Tax ID.

Simply contact us. If your Federal Tax ID has not yet been assigned we will be happy to cancel your order and issue you a refund per the Limited Money Back Guarantee in the Terms of Service you agreed to when placing your order.

We're sorry that you are experiencing this issue.
• First, check for typos. It's a long number (9 digits, such as 12-3456789) and accidental typos when transcribing it are not uncommon.

• Second, remember that your ID can be used immediately for most of your business needs. However it can take up to 15 days before your ID becomes part of the Internal Revenue Service's permanent records. And you must wait until that occurs before you can file an electronic tax return, make an electronic tax payment, or pass a Taxpayer Identification Number matching program such as some banks and credit/loan offices use.

• Third, we have seen an issue before where some banks (especially smaller ones), are using antiquated software which gets Federal Tax IDs mixed up with Social Security Numbers. If you have waited past the 15 days from receiving the ID and seem to be having this issue, please contact us.

SimpleFilings customers need only to visit the Existing Customers page of this site. You will need your transaction ID to retrieve it. If you have misplaced your transaction ID, please contact us.

To keep you from having to re-enter your information if you decide to come back to finish placing your order later, your information displays only on your computer for a period of 48 hours from the last time you access the application. To clear this information on your computer sooner, simply delete your cookies. Cookies are small temporary files stored onyour computer, and deleting them can usually be done through the Tools or Options menu of your Internet browser.

SimpleFilings is a secure solution for several of the most common new business filings, like LLC Formation or Incorporation, DBA Registration, and obtaining your Federal Tax ID. But there can be numerous other filings for you to perform both before and after starting business. As a courtesy, we've listed some below:

• Internal administration - LLCs require fewer administrative formalities than Corporations, but both require some. For example, LLCs must write and keep a document called an Operating Agreement which outlines basic ownership and management information. Many books have been written on the subject of LLC and Corporation administration, and they often include useful document templates. Find them at your library or bookstore.
• Federal government filings - The IRS needs to know how to tax your new business. Filing forms such as IRS 8832, IRS 2553, and IRS 1023 can accomplish this. Other IRS filings, and filings with other Federal government agencies may be required as well. Local tax professionals can be good sources of information on this.
• State government filings - Each state you do business in will have filing requirements such as state tax ID numbers, state tax returns, foreign business entity registration (if it is not the state you formed your LLC or Incorporated in), and annual business entity reports. Offices in each state such as the Secretary of State and Department of Revenue can help you determine which ones apply to your business.
• Local government filings - Each local jurisdiction you do business in may have filing requirements such as licenses, permits, etc. Offices in each jurisdiction such as the County Courthouse and City Hall can help you determine which ones apply to your business.
• Insurance and trade requirements - Depending on the nature of your business, other non-government filings such as obtaining insurance may be necessary to comply with all applicable laws. Consult your insurance agent and applicable trade association.

Starting and running a business is a richly rewarding but never-ending process, and the responsibility for research and compliance is solely yours. But remember that the profits are solely yours as well.

The online form is available for all business entity types including:
• Individuals/Sole Proprietors
• Limited Liability Companies (LLC)
• Corporations
• S-Corporations
• Partnerships
• Trusts
• Estates
• Non-Profits
• Other employers and business entity types

The only restrictions are:
• The primary address must be in the United States, and
• The owner, principal officer, trustor, grantor, etc. must have a valid Taxpayer ID Number (Social Security Number, Individual Taxpayer ID Number, or Federal Tax ID) to enter on the form.

The ID can be used immediately for most of your business needs including opening a bank account, applying for local business licenses, and filing a tax return by mail.

However it can take up to 15 days after receiving your ID to receive official documents in the mail from the IRS, which indicate that your ID has become part of the Internal Revenue Service's permanent records. You must wait until this occurs before you can file an electronic tax return, make an electronic tax payment, or pass an Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Identification Number matching program.

You can stay updated on the status of your order 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Simply enter your transaction ID on the Existing Customers page or contact us.

LLCs are a type of business entity created by state law instead of federal law and the Internal Revenue Service has not created a tax classification specifically for LLCs. Instead, other existing federal tax classifications are applied: Corporation, Partnership, or Sole Proprietor. An LLC is classified by the IRS as one of these types of entities for federal tax purposes.

Once a Federal Tax ID has been assigned, it cannot be cancelled. However, you can request the Internal Revenue Service to close your business account, if your new business never started for example. To do this, mail a written request to Internal Revenue Service, Cincinnati, Ohio 45999. Include the complete legal name of the business entity, the business address, Federal Tax ID, and reason you wish to close the account.

If you haven't provided your signature on the prepared SS-4 yet, simply contact us to update your application information. We will prepare another SS-4 and provide it to you for your review and signature.

If you have provided your signature, your Federal Tax ID is already on the way if you haven't received it already. Options for updating information now are:

• When you receive your official documents in the mail within 15 days of signing, you can hand write corrections and mail them back to the address provided.

• If you have had your ID for a while and wish to change your address, we can help you file form 8822, Change of Address, with the Internal Revenue Service. Click here for more information.

• If you have had your ID for a while and wish to change your business name, you must mail a request to the Internal Revenue Service at the address where you file your tax return. The request must be signed by an authorized individual in the business and additionally, businesses that had to file their creation with a state like LLCs and Corporations must include a copy of the Articles of Amendment or equivalent which was filed with the state that authorized the name change.

Yes. The information you submit is secured using SSL encryption technology. The "s" in the "https://" at the start of the address of pages that collect or display your information is what identifies this security. Click here for more information about our data security practices.

A Sole Proprietor can have as many different businesses as they want for as long or as short as they want, but the Internal Revenue Service will only issue one Federal Tax ID for all of them. For example, if a Sole Proprietor started business A in 1980 and got a Federal Tax ID for it but never used it, and then started the completely unrelated business B today... business B will use the same Federal Tax ID as was issued for business A in 1980, since both businesses are Sole Proprietorships under the same Sole Proprietor.