{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/employer-identification-number","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/employer-identification-number","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"employer-identification-number","term":"Employer Identification Number","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"A unique nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify a business entity. It's like a Social Security Number for your business.","what_it_means":"Your new business entity will need an EIN for tax purposes, opening bank accounts, and hiring employees. You'll apply for this with the IRS after forming your entity. This number is crucial for all financial and legal documentation related to the business, including loan applications and tax filings.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/employer-identification-number","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"social-security-number","term":"Social Security Number","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/social-security-number"},{"slug":"taxpayer-identification-number","term":"Taxpayer Identification Number","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/taxpayer-identification-number"},{"slug":"new-business-entity","term":"New Business Entity","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/new-business-entity"},{"slug":"irs-transcripts","term":"IRS transcripts (4506-T)","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/irs-transcripts"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Can a partial equity injection come from a deferred management bonus from my current employer?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-a-partial-equity-injection-come-from-a-deferred-management-bonus-from-my-current-emplo"},{"question":"Does my business need to have been operating for a certain number of years?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/does-my-business-need-to-have-been-operating-for-a-certain-number-of-years"},{"question":"Does the SBA have requirements for the minimum number of employees a business must have?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/does-the-sba-have-requirements-for-the-minimum-number-of-employees-a-business-must-have"},{"question":"Does the SBA 7(a) loan program have a requirement for a minimum number of employees?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/does-the-sba-7-a-loan-program-have-a-requirement-for-a-minimum-number-of-employees"},{"question":"What is the maximum number of years I can take to repay an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-the-maximum-number-of-years-i-can-take-to-repay-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"Is there a minimum number of years my business must be operating to get an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/is-there-a-minimum-number-of-years-my-business-must-be-operating-to-get-an-sba-7-a-loan"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Employer Identification Number","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/employer-identification-number","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}