IRS has announced, on its employer identification number (EIN) online application website, that its online EIN application service will be closed until approximately 7 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021.
Background. All taxpayers are required to have taxpayer identification numbers. (Reg §301.6109-1(a)(1)(i))
Any person other than an individual (i.e., corporations, partnerships, nonprofit associations, trusts, estates, and similar nonindividual persons) required to furnish a taxpayer identification number must use an EIN. (Reg §301.6109-1(a)(1)(ii)(C)) In addition, an individual, whether U.S. or foreign, who is an employer or who is engaged in trade or business as a sole proprietor must use an EIN as required by returns, statements, or other documents and their related instructions. (Reg §301.6109-1(a)(1)(ii)(D))
IRS has an online application for employer identification numbers. (https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online)
IRS website is down. IRS has announced, on its EIN online application website, that its online EIN application service will be closed from Dec. 23 at approximately 5 pm Eastern Time until approximately 7 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021.
Observation. IRS generally brings down the website every year, from around the end of December through the beginning of January.
Reference: For employer identification numbers, see FTC 2d/FIN ¶ S-1501.
