EIN
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is the unique nine-digit number the IRS assigns to a nonprofit, formatted like 12-3456789 — its permanent tax ID.
An EIN identifies an organization the way a Social Security number identifies a person. It never changes, so it's the most reliable way to look up a specific nonprofit and to confirm a donation went to the organization you intended.
Keep an organization's EIN with your donation receipt for your tax records.
Related terms
- Form 990 — Form 990 is the annual information return that most U.S. tax-exempt organizations file with the IRS, disclosing their finances, governance and programs.
- 501(c)(3) — A 501(c)(3) is a U.S. tax-exempt organization operated for charitable, religious, educational, scientific or similar purposes, to which donations are generally tax-deductible.
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