What is the difference between an EIN, TIN, and ITIN?

The acronyms that the IRS uses to identify the different types of taxpayer identification numbers can be confusing, and we get a lot of questions about these three in particular. Let's break it down:

EIN

This is a tax ID for businesses. It stands for "Employer Identification Number," and is a nine-digit number used to identify a business entity (like a corporation or an LLC) for tax purposes. There are no really any hard-and-fast differences between an EIN and its counterpart, a TIN, other than that TINs are generally only assigned to companies that have employees.

TIN 

This is a tax ID for businesses. It stands for "Taxpayer Identification Number," and it is basically the same thing as an EIN. Usually, TINs are assigned to businesses that have employees.

ITIN

This is a tax ID for individuals. It stands for "Individual Taxpayer Identification Number," and is a nine-digit number used to identify individuals for tax purposes. An ITIN is only assigned to individuals who are required to have a taxpayer identification but are ineligible to get a Social Security Number (SSN).

For purposes of filing bankruptcy you would use...

• your Social Security Number or ITIN to identify yourself, and

• your EIN or TIN to identify your business.

Related Reading

• Why does the bankruptcy court need my social security number? 

• Guide to Bankruptcy Relief for Small Businesses

• Bankruptcy and Immigration