# EIN

Concept · [Fundraising and equity](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/fundraising)

Also called: employer identification number, federal tax ID, tax ID, tax ID number, FEIN, TIN

Employer Identification Number. A tax ID number that the US tax agency, the IRS, issues to a business. A company generally needs one to hire [employees](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/contractor-vs-employee) and to handle its business taxes.

**For example:** A new [corporation](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/c-corp) applies to the IRS for an EIN before it hires its first [employee](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/contractor-vs-employee).

## Connects to (8)

- [C-corp](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/c-corp): C corporation.
- [LLC](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/llc): Limited liability company.
- [Incorporation in Delaware](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/delaware-incorporation): Forming a company as a corporation under the law of the state of Delaware.
- [S-corp](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/s-corp): A corporation that has chosen a US tax status in which profits and losses pass through to the owners' own tax returns.
- [Stripe Atlas](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/stripe-atlas): A service from Stripe that forms a US company for founders.
- [Payroll](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/payroll): Paying employees on a schedule, and the work that goes with it: withholding income and payroll taxes from each paycheck, paying the…
- [NAICS code](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/naics-code): A number from the North American Industry Classification System that labels what industry a business is in.
- [Relay](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/relay-financial): An online business banking app for small businesses, with several accounts and cards to organize money by purpose.

> This glossary is plain-language orientation, not legal or financial advice. Before you decide on a company structure, a contract, taxes or a fundraising deal, talk with a lawyer or an accountant.

Map view: https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/ein