A Federal Tax Identification Number, sometimes referred to as an Employer Identification Number, is a number given to your company by the federal government for taxation purposes. You can not hire employees or open a bank account in your company's name without obtaining an Employer Identification Number. Think of it as a social security number for your business.

A number given to a business entity by the federal government for tax purposes.

A required number issued by the IRS to the business for tax, banking and identification purposes. Sometimes called the "TIN" or "EIN", this number acts for the corporation in much the same way that a social security number acts for an individual.

The Social Security number of an individual or the Employer Identification Number (EIN) of a business, fiduciary or other organization. The federal government gives an EIN for tax purposes. Banks generally require a tax identification number to open bank accounts.