How Do I Get an EIN for a Trust or Estate in Maryland?

Trusts and estates in Maryland need their own EIN (tax ID number) after someone dies — banks require it to open an estate account. Pre-fills IRS Form SS-4. Free.

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What Do You Need?

The IRS requires a separate tax ID number (EIN) for a trust or estate after someone dies.

Settling an estate?Checklist, accounting, and forms in one plan.

What type of entity needs a tax ID number?*

If the person who died had a revocable living trust, choose Trust. If there is no trust and you are the executor or personal representative handling probate, choose Estate.

Trust — a revocable trust that became irrevocable when someone diedEstate — going through probate or need to manage assets outside a trust

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Frequently Asked Questions About EINs in Maryland

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit tax ID issued by the IRS. Trusts and estates need their own EIN to open bank accounts, file tax returns, and manage assets after someone dies.

Yes. When the grantor of a revocable trust dies, the trust becomes irrevocable and needs its own EIN. The successor trustee applies.

Yes, if the estate will earn income, open an estate bank account, or file a tax return. Banks require the estate's EIN — not the decedent's Social Security Number — to open an estate account. The executor or personal representative applies.

The IRS issues EINs immediately through their free online assistant (Monday-Friday, 7 AM-10 PM Eastern). There is no fee.

A trust EIN is for a trust that became irrevocable after the grantor's death. An estate EIN is for the probate estate. If someone had both, you may need two separate EINs.

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Frequently Asked Questions About EINs in Maryland

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit tax ID issued by the IRS. Trusts and estates need their own EIN to open bank accounts, file tax returns, and manage assets after someone dies.

Yes. When the grantor of a revocable trust dies, the trust becomes irrevocable and needs its own EIN. The successor trustee applies.

The IRS issues EINs immediately through their free online assistant (Monday-Friday, 7 AM-10 PM Eastern). There is no fee.

A trust EIN is for a trust that became irrevocable after the grantor's death. An estate EIN is for the probate estate. If someone had both, you may need two separate EINs.

How Do I Get an EIN for a Trust or Estate in Maryland?

What Do You Need?

Frequently Asked Questions About EINs in Maryland