How to Get a Tax ID for a Trust

A tax ID number, or Employer Identification Number, is a nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service to trusts and other taxable entities for tax purposes. The EIN uniquely identifies your trust to the IRS. You can get an EIN for your trust by completing an online application on the IRS website. You can also fill out a paper application to get a trust EIN and submit it by mail or fax.

Navigate to the Internal Revenue Service EIN Assistant website (see Resources).

Click "Begin Application."

Click the "Trusts" radio button, then click "Continue."

Click the radio button for the trust type for which you want an EIN, for example, conservatorship, escrow or qualified funeral trust. If you don't see your trust type, click the "Trust (All Others)" radio button.

Complete the rest of the interview-style application, which will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. Once you have entered all of your information, you'll be issued an EIN immediately.

Download and print Form SS-4 (see Resources).

Complete the form.

Mail the form to Internal Revenue Service Center, Attn: EIN Operation, at one of the following addresses. If your trust is located in one of the 50 states or in the District of Columbia, mail your form to Cincinnati, OH, 45999 or fax to 859-669-5760; if your trust has no principal place of business in any state, mail the form to Philadelphia, PA, 19255 or fax to 215-516-1040. If you apply by mail, you will receive your EIN in 4-5 weeks. If you apply by fax, you'll receive the EIN within 4 business days.