How to Get an EIN for a Revocable Trust

A revocable trust exists as an agreement that indicates how to distribute a person’s property while he is alive and when he dies, as explained by the Missouri Bar website. An employer identification number, also known as a federal tax ID number, is a nine-digit number used to identify a trust for taxation purposes. All revocable trusts, with the exception of certain grantor-owned revocable trusts, must get an EIN from the Internal Revenue Service. Also, a bank uses an EIN to identify a trust for banking purposes.

Apply online using the IRS website. The easiest way to get an EIN for a revocable trust is to complete Form SS-4 online. Input the legal trustee name, address and Social Security number. A trustee is the party responsible for managing the trust resources and dispersing assets to trust beneficiaries. Check the box indicating the EIN is for a trust. Indicate the reason for applying for an EIN and the date when the trust was established. Sign and date Form SS-4. An EIN is assigned to the revocable trust at the conclusion of the online session.

Dial 800-829-4933 to reach the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line. Call Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. Provide information about the trust to an IRS assistor. The assistor captures the information to complete Form SS-4 over the phone. The IRS assistor will provide the trust with an EIN after the telephone interview is complete.

Print Form SS-4 from the IRS website. Complete all sections of the form. Include a coversheet that details the contact name, address, telephone number and return fax number. Fax Form SS-4 to the IRS at 859-669-5760. A revocable trust that submits Form SS-4 by fax will receive an EIN within four business days, as long as a return fax number is provided.

Mail Form SS-4 to the Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999. Using this method takes the longest for a revocable trust to receive an EIN. It may take as long as four weeks for a revocable trust to receive an EIN by mail, according to the IRS website.