Glossary · People and paperwork
Taxpayer Identification Number(TIN)
In short
A nine-digit number used by the IRS to identify individuals and businesses for tax purposes. You'll need this for all official financial and tax documents related to the business.
What it means in a deal
For individuals, your TIN is usually your Social Security Number (SSN). For businesses, it's an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Both you and the business you're buying will have one, and they are required on SBA loan applications, tax forms, and many other legal documents during the acquisition process.
Related terms
Common questions about Taxpayer Identification Number
- Does my business need to have been operating for a certain number of years?
- Does the SBA have requirements for the minimum number of employees a business must have?
- Does the SBA 7(a) loan program have a requirement for a minimum number of employees?
- What is the maximum number of years I can take to repay an SBA 7(a) loan?
- Is there a minimum number of years my business must be operating to get an SBA 7(a) loan?
- Does my business need to have a certain number of employees to qualify for an SBA 7(a) loan?
Defined by CapBench SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
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