Alaska Tax ID (EIN) Number Application | How to Apply Online

Looking to obtain your Tax ID (EIN) Number in Alaska? This short Alaska Tax ID Application Guide will walk you through the basic steps you need to follow to apply for your Tax ID (EIN) Number in the state of Alaska. Whether you own a Partnership, multi-member LLC, Corporation, Non-Profit, Trust or Estate, this guide will help you learn what you need to know to obtain your official IRS Tax ID Number within minutes.

Steps to Obtain your Tax ID (EIN) Number in Alaska:

1. Prepare Required Information
2. Apply for a Alaska Tax ID Online
3. Apply for a Alaska Tax ID by Phone, Mail or Fax
4. Is an Entity Number the Same as an EIN?
5. Is the Alaska Business License the Same as a Tax ID?
6. How Do I Get an Alaska State Tax ID Number?

1. Prepare Required Information

The first thing you'll want to do is gather all the information required for you to fill out the tax ID application. The tax ID application is going to prompt you with many questions on your business, so if you want to complete the application as quickly as possible, you'll want to have this information on standby.

You'll need:

• Names and addresses. This one should be easy. Gather all the full legal names and legal addresses of your founders and business partners.
• Social security numbers. You'll also need to gather social security numbers (SSNs) for those business contacts.
• A business name. Finally, you'll need to decide on your business's name. This process will register your business with the government, so it's important to have a name in place.

2. Apply for a Alaska Tax ID Online

When you've gathered the requisite details, you'll be ready to start the tax ID application. There are a few different options available to you, including some traditional options like applying via phone, mail, or fax. However, the best application method is applying online, by far.

Applying online is immediately more convenient. You won't have to obtain any paperwork in advance; instead, you can access the online application with any device that has an internet connection. The application itself shouldn't take long to fill out. If you've gathered all the above pieces of information on your company, you should be able to complete it in 5 minutes or less. But the biggest benefit of applying online is the time it takes to receive your tax ID. After you finish the application, you should receive your tax ID via email in an hour or less, meaning you can start your business officially and begin generating revenue faster.

3. Apply for a Alaska Tax ID by Phone, Mail or Fax

Other application methods aren't nearly as fast or convenient as applying online, but they do exist if you're so inclined to pursue them. You could, for example, apply over the phone, answering many of the same questions about your company in a kind of interview format. You could also fill out a paper application by hand, if you have the time to do so, then mail that application in or send it via fax.

In any case, these methods are inconvenient, and will cost you significant time. With these methods, it can take up to 4 to 6 weeks to receive your tax ID via traditional mail.

4. Is an Entity Number the Same as an EIN?

If you're starting a business in Alaska, you may have heard that you need an Alaska entity number, which on the surface sounds very similar to a tax ID, but are these really the same thing?

A "tax ID," referred to generally, usually refers to a federal tax ID, otherwise known as an employer identification number, or EIN. This is the number your business will need if it has more than one member (such as if it is a partnership, LLC with multiple members, or corporation). You'll also need this number if you're going to hire employees, or if you're going to apply for various business licenses or permits. Most banks and financial institutions also require your business to have an EIN when it applies for a loan or line of credit.

Your Alaska entity number is similar to an EIN in that it serves as a unique identifier for your business, but it operates at a state level. Many states require their businesses to have a state tax ID number so they can register for sales taxes, but there's no state-level sales tax in Alaska. To have an Alaska business, you must have a physical mailing address in Alaska, you must have an Alaska entity number, and you will almost certainly need an EIN.

5. Is the Alaska Business License the Same as a Tax ID?

If you're starting a business in Alaska, you will also likely need a business license. This license covers both corporate entities like corporations and LLCs and individual professionals. It's not the same as a tax ID; it serves as a kind of registration for the state of Alaska, like a tax ID, but applies at the state level, rather than the federal level, and can't be used as a substitute for applications that require an EIN.

In addition to this general business license, you may need to have one of several other business licenses, permits, or certifications to operate legally. These are usually regulated at the county and city level, rather than at the state level, so you'll need to consult with your local Chamber of Commerce to determine which permits and/or licenses you need. No matter what, when you apply for a business license or permit, you'll need to have an EIN in place.

6. How Do I Get an Alaska State Tax ID Number?

Alaska's state tax ID number is called an Alaska entity number, and you'll need one if you're going to conduct business in Alaska. Because Alaska doesn't have a state-level sales tax, you won't need one for sales tax purposes (like you would in most other states). To get one, you'll first need to have your federal tax ID (EIN). At that point, you can apply for your Alaska entity number online or through a traditional method, similar to what you did with your federal tax ID.

If there's a common thread in all these considering factors, it's your federal tax ID. You'll need a federal tax ID number if you're going to hire employees, if you're going to apply for business licenses or permits, if you're going to get a business loan, or if you're going to get an Alaska entity number. It should be your first step when building a business.