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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Good Morning,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you ever need to obtain an EIN, likely because of banking purposes, please use the link to access the on-line form: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/uac/form-ss-4-application-for-employer-identification-number-ein">https://www.irs.gov/uac/form-ss-4-application-for-employer-identification-number-ein</a> and click on the link: Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online. Do not use any other link. They have several third party sites that will offer to do this for a small fee. From what I’ve read online, that small fee can be as little as $75 and as great as $195. When you fill out the form using one of these third party websites to obtain your EIN including disclosing your social security number, they act as your agent or liaison, and they hold the reply (your new EIN) from the IRS until you pay the fee. It’s not illegal, because you have read and signed their disclosure at the end of the application authorizing them to act in this capacity. Bottom line is that it’s not worth paying the “small fee” to obtain your EIN. The form takes about 15 minutes to complete and there is no charge to go directly through the IRS portal. The form is also accessible! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Best Regards,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Todd<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>