An Employer Identification Number, or EIN, is a federal tax identification number used by many estates and trusts. It is different from the deceased person's Social Security number and is generally requested through Form SS-4 or the IRS online application process.
Know what the EIN identifies
For an estate, the IRS instructions describe the estate as a legal entity created as a result of a person's death. For a trust, the correct identification setup can depend on the trust's type and tax status.
The EIN itself does not establish legal authority to act, open an account, distribute property, or interpret a trust. Those questions are separate and should be directed to the appropriate legal or financial professional.
Use the current IRS application instructions
Form SS-4 asks for information such as the legal name of the entity, responsible-party details, and the reason for applying. The IRS provides current instructions and online-application eligibility information.
For a decedent's estate, certain fields may use information about the person who died. The application should match the current IRS instructions and the entity's underlying legal documents.
- The exact legal name used for the estate or trust.
- The date of death or funding date when relevant to the entity type.
- The supporting documents or authorized professional needed for any uncertain field.
When to pause and ask
Do not guess if a trust's tax status changed, if a revocable trust is involved, or if you are unsure who is authorized to apply. A correct tax setup is more valuable than a fast one.
Official sources
Use current IRS material for forms, thresholds, and deadlines. Links open the primary source in a new tab.
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