Tax Return 2021: how to check my tax number on the IRS site
To file your taxes you need to know your Taxpayer Identification Numbers. Here's everything you need to know to find your Social Security or Employer Identification Number online.
Tax season 2021 is now well underway and millions of Americans will need to submit their tax returns for the past year before the 15 April deadline. This year’s filing has slightly higher stakes than usual with eligibility for the third round of stimulus checks likely to be based on the information contained in your tax returns.
For more information on why this is the case, check out: Tax return 2020: does it affect third stimulus check?
There are a few details that you will need to get your tax returns submitted properly, most of which will be related to your personal situation and employment status. However you will also need some other details specific to the tax filing process. Here’s everything you need to know about Taxpayer Identification Numbers.
What is a Taxpayer Identification Number?
Your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is used by the IRS to link you to your personal tax affairs. Most are issued by the IRS but the Social Security Number (SSN) is issued by the SSA. A TIN of some sort must be included on all tax returns, statement and other related documents.
It will also appear on the withholding certificate for claimants of tax treaty benefits and exemptions for effectively connected income and for certain annuities. There are five types of Taxpayer Identification Numbers:
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S. Adoptions (ATIN)
- Preparer Taxpayer Identification Number (PTIN)
If you have not filed before and have not yet received a Taxpayer Identification Number, there are full instructions on how to do so on the IRS Taxpayer Identification Numbers webpage.
How do I check my Taxpayer Identification Number?
The TIN is a vital part of the tax return, and fortunately it should not be too difficult to find if you have filed tax in the past.
If you need to find your Social Security Number, which is issued by the SSA, you can check on the physical social security card or on letters and other correspondence you have received from them. If you cannot find any documentation related to your SSN you will need to apply for a new one, which can be done easily online.
For all other TINs the issuing organisation will be the IRS, who oversee the tax returns process. They too will have included the relevant TIN on any letters and correspondence that you have received from them. The number will also be on last year’s tax returns, if you can find a copy of previous filings.
If you can’t find the relevant documents then you will have to apply for a new one, which can also be done online.