Below are guidelines of what business information commonly matches with the IRS, sorted by business type.

These are general guidelines; each business case is unique and this list is not a guarantee of a Tax ID match. See Using IRS documentation as reference when entering business name and tax ID number (TIN) for US-based businesses for instructions and additional information on how to find and enter your name and EIN.

Common identification guidelines by business type

• Individual: Individual Name and Social Security Number (SSN)
• Sole Proprietorship: Individual Name and SSN (or EIN, if your Sole Prop has one)
• Single Member LLC that is disregarded for federal tax purposes:
  • If owned by an individual: the owner’s individual name and SSN or EIN. The LLC’s name or EIN should not be used.
  • If owned by a corporation or partnership: the owner’s name and EIN. The LLC’s name or EIN should not be used
• LLC that is treated as Corporations or Partnerships for federal tax purposes: The LLC’s name and EIN
• Corporation: Business Name and Entity’s EIN
• Partnership: Business Name and Entity’s EIN
• Tax Exempt Organization (e.g. Nonprofit organization): Organization Name and Entity’s EIN as found on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool. The Nonprofit organization business type should only be used for tax exempt organizations registered as a 501(c)(3) organization. Other 501(c) organizations should not select the Nonprofit organization business type and should select one of the other available business types.
• Other Entities: Enter your name and EIN as shown on required U.S. federal tax documents. This name and EIN should match the name and EIN shown on the charter or other legal document creating the entity.

For additional information on what name and TIN to provide, please see instructions in the IRS Form W-9.