Apply Online

1. To Apply for Business Code (Professional Activity Code), the applicant can make the application via the following link – link
2. The applicant has to click the “Apply for EIN Online” and read the instruction and click “Apply Online Now”
3. If the applicant is a new user, click the “Create account” button.
4. Enter the details and click the “Sign up”.
5. Now the applicant has to enter the email id, and password and click the “Sign In” button.
6. The applicant has to select the type of application.
7. Enter all the necessary details in the application form.
8. Make sure that the applicant has to upload all the necessary documents that are mentioned in the “Required Documents” section of this page.
9. After completion of all the steps click the “Submit” button.
10. The applicant has to pay the prescribed fee as requested.
11. Once the verification process gets completed, the applicant will get the notification through mail.
12. Now the applicant can download the certificate through login to the account.
13. The processing time for this procedure is up to 3 – 4 weeks.

Apply by Mail

1. To Business Code (Professional Activity Code), the applicant has to mail the application to U.S. Internal Revenue Service – link
2. The applicant has to download the application form from the following link – link
3. The applicant has to enter all the details in the application form.
4. Make sure that the applicant has to attach all the necessary documents that are mentioned in the “Required Documents” section of this page.
5. The applicant has to attach the photocopies of the required documents along with the application form while submitting.
6. Submit all the necessary documents along with the completed form to the nearest office.
7. The mailing address is given in the “Office Locations & Contacts” section of this page.
8. Make sure that the applicant has attached all the necessary documents that are mentioned in the “Required Documents” section of this page.
9. The applicant has to attach the photocopies of the required documents along with the application form while submitting.
10. Submit all the documents with the completed form to the IRS office.
11. The mailing address are given in “Office Locations and Contacts” section of this page.
12. After receiving the application, the concerned authority will check the submitted application and document set. If all are in place, the application will be accepted.
13. Then the applicant will be contacted regarding the fee payment.
14. All applications are processed within a reasonable time, having regard to the particular circumstances of each application, including the completeness of information and documents submitted to the authority by the applicant.
15. The authority may seek additional information from an applicant if this is necessary to assess the application. The authority does not need to deal further with an application until the applicant has provided this additional information.
16. The processing time for this procedure is up to 3 – 4 weeks.

Apply by FAX

1. To Business Code (Professional Activity Code), the applicant has to Fax the application to U.S. Internal Revenue Service
2. The applicant has to download the application form from the following link – link
3. The applicant has to enter all the details in the application form.
4. Make sure that the applicant has to attach all the necessary documents that are mentioned in the “Required Documents” section of this page.
5. The applicant has to attach the photocopies of the required documents along with the application form while submitting.
6. Submit all the necessary documents along with the completed form to the nearest office.
7. The mailing address is given in the “Office Locations & Contacts” section of this page.
8. Make sure that the applicant has attached all the necessary documents that are mentioned in the “Required Documents” section of this page.
9. The applicant has to attach the photocopies of the required documents along with the application form while submitting.
10. Submit all the documents with the completed form to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
11. The Fax address are given in “Office Locations and Contacts” section of this page.
12. After receiving the application, the concerned authority will check the submitted application and document set. If all are in place, the application will be accepted.
13. Then the applicant will be contacted regarding the fee payment.
14. All applications are processed within a reasonable time, having regard to the particular circumstances of each application, including the completeness of information and documents submitted to the authority by the applicant.
15. The authority may seek additional information from an applicant if this is necessary to assess the application. The authority does not need to deal further with an application until the applicant has provided this additional information.
16. The processing time for this procedure is up to 3 – 4 weeks.

• Application form – link
• Business license
• Articles of incorporation
• Business plan
• Tax returns
• Industry codes

Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999
Fax: 855-641-6935


Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN International Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999
Fax: 855-215-1627 (within the U.S.)
Fax: 304-707-9471 (outside the U.S.)
Contact details – link

• Any person who runs a business is eligible to Apply for a Business Code (Professional Activity Code)

• The fee for this procedure has to be paid as per the authority request.

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

• Application form – link

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

• The processing time for this procedure is up to 3 – 4 weeks.

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

• Applicants must complete the application form before submitting it. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Applicants must provide genuine information while applying for this procedure.
• Complete instruction for applying this form is given below the form page.
• Instructions for filling application form – link

• Legal name of entity (or individual) for whom the EIN is being requested
• Trade name of business (if different from name on line 1)
• Executor, administrator, trustee, “care of” name
• Mailing address (room, apt., suite no. and street, or P.O. box)
• City, state, and ZIP code (if foreign, see instructions)
• Street address (if different) (Don’t enter a P.O. box.)
• City, state, and ZIP code (if foreign, see instructions)
• County and state where principal business is located
• Name of responsible party
• Type of entity
• Reason

• In the United States, a Business Code, also known as a Professional Activity Code, is a standardized code used to identify the type of business or profession being conducted. The codes are used by federal and state government agencies for statistical purposes, and they are used to collect and analyse data about businesses and industries.

• Guidelines – link link

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

link