The Federal Tax Identification Number is also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN). EINs are nine-digit numbers, such as 12-3456789, assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS assigns EINs for free to businesses, including employers, sole proprietors, corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts, for tax reporting and filing purposes.
For businesses in Florida, the federally issued EIN is the equivalent of the Florida Federal Tax Id Number. People who have applied for and received EINs for their businesses but who have since forgotten the number can find it several ways.
Finding a Federal Tax ID Number on Federal Documents
One way is to look at the EIN confirmation notice. If the IRS online application was used to apply for an EIN, then a confirmation notice was immediately generated upon completion. Applicants are advised to download, save and print the confirmation notice, which contains the EIN.
Another way to find the EIN is to look at previously filed federal tax returns. While people filing individual tax returns enter their Social Security numbers, business entities filing their business tax returns enter their EINs. Certain federal tax returns for business entities, such as the U.S. Return of Partnership Income (Form 1065) and the U.S. Corporate Income Tax Return (Form 1120), have a line for the EIN. Copies made of previously filed tax returns should have the EIN on them.
People can also call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line, at 800-829-4933, and request them to search for their EINs. The line is open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., local time, Monday through Friday. After asking for identifying information, a phone representative will provide the EIN over the phone if the caller is someone who is authorized to receive it. People who are authorized to receive the EIN include a corporate officer, an executor of an estate, a sole proprietor, a trustee of a trust and a partner in a partnership.
Read More: How to Get a Federal Tax ID Number
Finding a Federal Tax ID Number on Florida Documents
Businesses in Florida who have filed a Florida Corporate Income tax return (Form 1120) should be able to find their EINs on the previously filed return. The box for the Federal Tax Identification Number is on the top left corner. Other Florida Department of Revenue tax forms, such as the Tentative Income/Franchise Tax Return and Application for Extension of Time to File Return (Form F-7004) and the Declaration/Installment of Florida Estimated Income/Franchise Tax (Form F-1120ES), also have a line for the EIN at the top.
People needing assistance with their EINs can also try calling the Florida Department of Taxpayer Assistance at 850-488-6800, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The line is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., EST.
Searching Florida's Corporation Records
Luckily, the Florida Department of State maintains a corporation records database where people can search for corporate records of businesses incorporated in Florida. People can search the database by EIN, entity name, officer/registered agent name, trademark name, trademark owner name, zip code and/or street address. A person missing the EIN can simply enter the business name or any of the other search criteria and get a result that lists the EIN.
In addition to the corporation's EIN, the search result may also list the principal address, the mailing address, the registered agent name and address, the officer/director name and address, and any filed annual reports.