What Is a Taxpayer Identification Number and How Do I Get One?

Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA, is a freelance writer with a background in accounting and income tax planning and preparation for individuals and small businesses. Her work has appeared in Business Insider and The New York Times. Janet has been nominated a.

Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA Taxes Expert

Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA, is a freelance writer with a background in accounting and income tax planning and preparation for individuals and small businesses. Her work has appeared in Business Insider and The New York Times. Janet has been nominated a.

Written By Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA Taxes Expert

Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA, is a freelance writer with a background in accounting and income tax planning and preparation for individuals and small businesses. Her work has appeared in Business Insider and The New York Times. Janet has been nominated a.

Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA Taxes Expert

Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA, is a freelance writer with a background in accounting and income tax planning and preparation for individuals and small businesses. Her work has appeared in Business Insider and The New York Times. Janet has been nominated a.

Taxes Expert Caren Weiner Personal Finance Editor

Since her first tax article appearing more than three decades ago in Money magazine, Caren Weiner has written and edited stories about money management topics ranging from investment fees and health costs to household budgets. Her finance- and invest.

Caren Weiner Personal Finance Editor

Since her first tax article appearing more than three decades ago in Money magazine, Caren Weiner has written and edited stories about money management topics ranging from investment fees and health costs to household budgets. Her finance- and invest.

Caren Weiner Personal Finance Editor

Since her first tax article appearing more than three decades ago in Money magazine, Caren Weiner has written and edited stories about money management topics ranging from investment fees and health costs to household budgets. Her finance- and invest.

Caren Weiner Personal Finance Editor

Since her first tax article appearing more than three decades ago in Money magazine, Caren Weiner has written and edited stories about money management topics ranging from investment fees and health costs to household budgets. Her finance- and invest.

| Personal Finance Editor

Updated: Feb 23, 2024, 9:30am

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What Is a Taxpayer Identification Number and How Do I Get One?

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Each taxpayer in the U.S. needs to have a unique nine-digit number that can identify them to the IRS. Many Americans use their Social Security number, or SSN, to confirm their identity on tax returns and other IRS correspondence.

But those without SSNs—whether they’re individuals, businesses or other organizations—also need nine-digit numeric IDs that enable the IRS to keep track of their accounts.

The umbrella term “taxpayer identification number” (TIN) signifies all tracking numbers used by the IRS to organize tax filings by individuals and entities.

Taxpayer Identification Numbers

Several varieties of TIN exist. You may even need more than one, depending on your circumstances.

Social Security Number

For individuals, the most commonly used TIN is an SSN. The Social Security Administration issues SSNs to individuals, monitoring their earnings and determining their eventual Social Security benefits. At the same time, the IRS uses SSNs to track individuals’ tax returns, forms and other documents.

How To Get an SSN

  1. Determine eligibility. Any U.S. citizen can request an SSN. Some noncitizens can get an SSN if they work or attend school in the U.S. or have a valid reason unrelated to work. Additional eligibility information can be found at the Social Security Administration’s website.
  2. Gather the required documentation. Collect documents that prove your citizenship, age and identity. This can include a U.S. birth certificate, a U.S. passport, a state-issued driver’s license or identification card, or an identification card from your employer or school. The SSA requires you to provide at least two separate documents. The documents must be either originals or certified copies from the agency that issued them.
  3. Apply online. You can request an SSN at the SSA website. You’ll need to answer questions about your citizenship and provide some basic information, such as your legal name, date of birth, state of residence and parents’ names.
  4. Take your documents to a Social Security office. If you’ve submitted your request online, you must provide documentation within 45 calendar days by visiting a local Social Security office. Or, instead, you can choose to go through the full application process during the in-person visit.
  5. Wait for your card. After your application is approved, a Social Security card with your number on it will arrive by mail. Expect it within 14 days.

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Taxes Expert

Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA, is a freelance writer with a background in accounting and income tax planning and preparation for individuals and small businesses. Her work has appeared in Business Insider and The New York Times. Janet has been nominated as a top Woman in Accounting by Practice Ignition and honored as a Top 100 Innovative Women in Tax by Canopy Tax.

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