XL EagleEIN (Employer Identification Number)
EIN stands for Employer Identification Number. An Employer Identification Number is a 9-digit tax ID the IRS assigns to a business, written as 12-3456789. Corporations, partnerships and LLCs with employees generally need one, and it is free to get from the IRS website.
In federal contracting, your EIN is the tax ID that SAM.gov verifies with the IRS, and it is what you put on W-9 forms for primes and customers. Some states issue their own separate tax ID numbers, which are not the same thing.
Why it matters to a small contractor
Make sure the EIN on your SAM registration, W-9 and invoices is always the same federal number. Mixing in a state tax number by mistake is a common error that can hold up payment.
Example
A sole proprietor doing handyman work gets a free EIN from the IRS so she does not have to give her Social Security number to every prime contractor that asks for a W-9.
EIN: common questions
Do I have to pay to get an EIN?
No. The IRS issues EINs for free. Sites that charge are third-party services.
Is a state tax ID the same as an EIN?
No. Your state may assign its own tax or taxpayer number. For SAM and federal W-9 forms, use the federal EIN.
Want the contract without the paperwork? Send XL Eagle your price on an open government job. We write and submit the bid under our registrations, free to you. Find open jobs →