Does the California Secretary of State issue my EIN?

No, and this is a common mix-up: your EIN comes from the IRS, a federal agency, not the California Secretary of State, which handles your state entity registration. You need both, the California filing to create the entity and the federal EIN to bank and file taxes. We obtain the EIN and complete the California registration together so nothing is missing.

Can a non-US founder get an EIN for a California entity?

Yes: you do not need an SSN to obtain an EIN for a California LLC or corporation; the IRS has a process for foreign responsible parties, though it takes longer than the online route. It is a common step for international owners. We obtain the EIN for your California entity even without an SSN so you can bank and operate.

What do I use my EIN for after forming in California?

To open a business bank account, hire employees, file federal and often California taxes, and identify the business instead of your SSN. It is the entity's federal tax ID. We make sure your California entity has its EIN in hand so banking and payroll are not held up after formation. Link llc-bank-account? no hub. Link get-an-ein.

Does each California entity need its own EIN?

Generally yes: each separate LLC or corporation you register with California should have its own EIN, since sharing one across entities blurs the tax and liability lines. A single-member LLC with no employees can sometimes use the owner's SSN, but a distinct EIN is cleaner. We obtain an EIN per California entity so each stands on its own. Link holding-company.

Do I need a separate California state tax ID too?

Often, if you have employees or collect sales tax: the federal EIN is one number, and California issues its own state tax or employer account number when you register for payroll or sales tax. They are different IDs for different filings. We obtain the EIN and complete the California state tax registrations you actually need. Link sales-tax-registration.

What if my EIN information does not match my California filing?

A mismatch between the name on the EIN and the California Secretary of State record can cause bank and tax problems, so the two should agree exactly. It usually happens when the EIN is obtained before or separately from the entity. We align the California filing and the EIN so the federal and state records match.

Can File.Business get my EIN with my California formation?

Yes. We form or register your entity with the California Secretary of State and obtain the federal EIN in the same process, including for non-US founders without an SSN, so you leave with both the state registration and the federal tax ID rather than chasing the IRS separately.

Home/Secretary of State directory/Federal EIN/Get a Federal EIN for your California business

California . EIN / Federal Tax ID

Get a Federal EIN for your California business.

An Employer Identification Number is your business's federal tax ID. California entities need one to open a business bank account, hire employees, file federal taxes, and apply for most business credit. The IRS issues it free. File.Business handles the application end-to-end.

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When you need an EIN in California

Opening a business bank account. Every major bank requires an EIN for California entities.
Hiring employees or running payroll.
Filing federal taxes (1065, 1120, 1120-S, 941, 940).
Establishing business credit separate from personal credit.
Applying for SBA or commercial loans.
Registering for California sales tax or payroll tax accounts.

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