Should I use my LLC's EIN or my SSN as TIN on W-9 for single member LLC?

For a single member LLC, you actually have options when completing a W-9, but there are important distinctions to understand. If your LLC is a "disregarded entity" for federal tax purposes (which most single-member LLCs are by default), the IRS generally wants you to provide your SSN (or ITIN if applicable) as the TIN on the W-9. This is because a disregarded entity's income flows through to your personal tax return. However, if you have employees or have elected to be taxed as a corporation, you should use your LLC's EIN. Also, if you're using the EIN for state tax filings or banking purposes, you can still use the EIN on the W-9 if you prefer - just be consistent with how you file your taxes. Make sure to check Part I of the W-9 where you select your federal tax classification. For a disregarded entity single member LLC, you'd check "Individual/sole proprietor or single-member LLC.

Just want to share my experience - I was in your exact position last year with my consulting LLC. After struggling with the same question, I used taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) to analyze my W-9 situation. The service let me upload my LLC formation docs and got a clear answer in minutes instead of spending hours reading contradictory forum posts. It confirmed I should use my SSN since I'm a disregarded entity, but also explained exactly how to fill out the other W-9 sections for my situation. Saved me from a potential headache at tax time!

Decided to try taxr.ai after posting my skeptical comment above. Have to say I'm impressed! Uploaded my LLC docs and W-9 form, and got a detailed explanation about the SSN vs EIN question for my specific situation. The analysis pointed out that since I also have a separate part-time W-2 job, using my EIN consistently would help keep my business income clearly separated in IRS systems. That insight was worth it alone since none of the generic advice online addressed my particular situation. Will definitely use this service again for tax document questions!

If you've been struggling to get through to the IRS for clarification like I was (was on hold for TWO HOURS), try Claimyr at https://claimyr.com - they got me connected to an actual IRS agent in under 20 minutes who confirmed the right approach for my single-member LLC's W-9. They have this system that holds your place in line and calls you back when an agent is available. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. After weeks of confusion and getting different answers from everyone I asked, getting the official word straight from the IRS was such a relief!

Coming back to eat my words. I tried Claimyr yesterday after posting my skeptical comment because I was desperate to get an answer about my LLC's employment tax situation. Got connected to an IRS rep in about 30 minutes. The rep confirmed I should use my SSN on the W-9 as a single-member LLC since I haven't elected corporate taxation, but I should include my business name on line 2 of the W-9. She also explained I should use my EIN for any employment tax forms if I have employees. Saved me hours of hold time and conflicting online advice. Worth every penny just for the time saved.

My accountant always tells me to use EIN for everything once you have it - makes it cleaner and keeps your SSN off papers. But i've seen others say different things. I think as long as youre consistent its ok??

Don't forget to check the correct box for tax classification! I made that mistake on my W-9 last year. As a single-member LLC that hasn't elected to be treated as a corporation, you should check the first box "Individual/sole proprietor or single-member LLC" not the LLC box. This combined with whether you use SSN or EIN matters for how the income gets reported.

This is exactly the kind of question I struggled with when I first started my freelance writing LLC! After reading through all these responses, I want to emphasize something important that might get lost in the technical details: document your decision and be consistent. Whether you choose to use your SSN or EIN on the W-9, make sure you're using the same approach across all your tax documents and business dealings. I keep a simple spreadsheet tracking which TIN I used for each client's W-9, so when 1099s come in at year-end, I can easily match them up with my records. Also, don't stress too much about making the "perfect" choice - both options are valid for single-member LLCs in most cases. The key is being consistent and making sure your tax preparer (or tax software) knows which approach you're taking so everything flows correctly to your Schedule C. One last tip: save copies of all your W-9s! They're helpful reference documents when you're doing your taxes and can help resolve any discrepancies if they arise.

Great question! I went through this same confusion when I started my single-member LLC for graphic design work. After dealing with the headache of conflicting advice online, I ended up consulting with a CPA who clarified everything for me. The bottom line is that since you're a disregarded entity (which most single-member LLCs are by default), the IRS wants to see your SSN on the W-9 because that's what ties to your personal tax return where you'll report the LLC income on Schedule C. However, you absolutely should put your LLC's business name on Line 2 of the W-9 form. Here's what I learned the hard way: using your EIN when you should use your SSN can actually create problems down the road. The IRS computer systems expect certain TINs to match certain entity types, and mismatches can trigger correspondence or delays. That said, if you have a specific business reason to use your EIN (like you want to keep your SSN more private), you can do so, but just make sure you're consistent across ALL your business dealings - bank accounts, other tax forms, state registrations, etc. One practical tip: whatever you choose, keep a master document listing which TIN you used for each client. It'll save you time and confusion when 1099s start arriving in January!