How to Apply for a State Tax ID Number

Running a successful business begins with setting up a proper legal framework, and setting up a tax ID is a crucial step. There are separate, federal and state tax IDs, and you may need to get both. You can easily find out detailed information about tax implications from your state's tax department by logging onto your state's website. The process is fairly straightforward. In most cases, once you have your ID, you are ready for business.

• 1

  Obtain a federal tax ID number from the Internal Revenue Service. You can not apply for a state tax ID until you have a federal tax ID, also known as an EIN, or employer identification number. You can do this online or over the phone through IRS.gov.

• 2

  Find the appropriate website for your state's tax information (see Resources), and locate the forms for applying for a tax ID. This may vary from state to state, and most will offer electronic services.

• 3

  Submit the form with the application fee. This also varies from state to state. You will need to provide your Social Security number, your federal tax ID, your business name, phone number and address, and other pertinent details, such as start date and type of business.