What is an EIN?
Writing is a creative pursuit and for many, it will never be more than an outlet—and this is completely okay. However, if you’re planning to publish (or freelance work), you’ll need to start thinking about the business side of things. One such example is deciding whether you need an EIN. An EIN (employer identification number) is a 9-digit number that’s assigned by the IRS to be used to identify taxable accounts of businesses. It’s similar to your social security number, but rather than identify you, it’s specific to your business. Is it completely necessary to get an EIN if you’re doing freelancing work? No, you don’t absolutely need it, especially if you’re not planning to expand your business and hire people. But I would argue it’s worth checking into. If nothing else, at least you know things like this exist. It can be helpful if you’re planning to self-publish this year or expand your freelance business.
