The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) processes over 150 million tax forms from individuals and businesses annually in the United States. All correctly processed returns share an accurate tax number.
Without tax numbers, processing tax returns would be slow. We explain the purpose of the tax numbers below.
What are the exact tax numbers?
Because tax numbers are unique IDs, the IRS and other tax-processing bodies, such as state tax offices, can easily tell who is sending in forms and returns. Social Security Numbers (SSNs) and Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) are the two main types of government tax numbers. In contrast, some tax numbers, like state tax ID numbers or individual taxpayer identification numbers (ITINs), may only apply to certain people or businesses.
A tax number is needed when?
Tax numbers are very important because they let the IRS and other tax-processing agencies quickly link a person’s or business’s tax return or other tax-related paperwork to these numbers. Primarily, the need for these numbers arises from the unreliability of names, birth dates, and other forms of personal information.
Someone may have the same first, middle, and last name, for instance. With that information, the IRS can’t just look at those numbers to figure out whose tax returns it’s handling. Using tax numbers, which are completely unique, can expedite the processing of tax returns and reduce the likelihood of crediting the wrong person or business for a tax filing.
In what ways do you use your tax ID?
There are different uses for tax numbers. People usually use it for paying taxes. All tax papers require the entry of an individual tax number to associate returns and other filing materials with the appropriate individual or business.
Nevertheless, tax numbers are also very important for many other reasons. For instance, tax numbers are typically required when performing certain financial or income-related tasks.
To open a new bank account, certain types of tax numbers are required. Typically, one needs a person’s SSN or ITIN to open a bank account. Usually, sole proprietors can use their SSNs instead of EINs to start a business bank account. Similarly, applications for personal or business loans and credit cards often require tax numbers.
Finally, when searching for a new job, tax numbers are required. For payment purposes, an employer requires an employee’s SSN, which is required by their employer. Also, this lets them make sure that any taxes collected go to the right person and gives them the information they need to make accurate W-2s during tax season. Contractors, freelancers, and other self-employed workers require tax numbers to monitor their income and prepare a 1099, if necessary, at the end of the year.
Companies may need an EIN to obtain a business license or establish specific types of partnerships. Furthermore, obtaining certain types of business licenses frequently requires an EIN.
Ultimately, having the right tax numbers is important for many things. Therefore, it is very important to quickly get the ones you need if you don’t already have them.
