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Tax Identification (ID) Number

On December 22, 2017, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law. The information in this article predates the tax reform legislation and may not apply to tax returns starting in the 2018 tax year. You may wish to speak to your tax advisor about the latest tax law. This publication is provided for your convenience and does not constitute legal advice. This publication is protected by copyright.

Tax Identification (ID) Number
For most individuals, their tax identification number is their Social Security number (SSN). It is used when filing tax returns and must be given to financial institutions, employers and other income payers so that appropriate information reporting forms can be completed. Failing to do so can result in a penalty or mandatory back-up withholding. A SSN is also required for a dependent, regardless of age, in order to claim the dependent's exemption allowance and certain tax credits, such as the earned income credit. Nonresident or resident aliens may apply to the IRS for an “individual taxpayer identification number” (ITIN) if they are not eligible for a SSN. A special “adoption taxpayer identification number” (ATIN) may be obtained when a taxpayer is in the process of adopting a U.S. citizen or resident child and a SSN cannot be obtained; the ATIN cannot be used once the adoption is final – a SSN must be obtained for the child. Individuals who have household employees or who are self-employed with employees are required to obtain and use a Federal employer identification number (FEIN) as well. A self-employed taxpayer who has a Keogh plan must have an FEIN, even if no other person is employed in the business.

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