What is a Trust?

A trust is a legal entity that allows one to transfer property, wealth, and other assets to beneficiaries without going through the public probate process. The giving party (“trustor” or “grantor”) transfers stewardship to the holding party (“trustee”), who manages all relevant assets, tax obligations, debts, and liabilities for the receiving party (“beneficiary”).

Trusts are created under state law but are taxed under federal law. Thus, a Federal Tax Identification Number is typically required. It’s important to meet requirements and create trust in accordance with the law because trusts help safeguard estates. They ensure that assets are properly distributed according to the trustor’s instructions.

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Why You Need a Tax ID to Form a Trust

Tax filing requirements for trusts vary depending on how and for what purpose the trust is officially formed. In many cases, you must apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) before you can create a new trust.

Also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number or Tax ID Number, this unique ID is what both state and federal government agencies use to track your tax status. The number identifies a trust (and other types of entities) similarly to the way a Social Security number identifies you as an individual. 

If a trust has $600 or more as income or if its beneficiary is a non-resident person, the trust needs to file taxes. It’s required to use IRS Form 1041 to report:

Income
Gains
Deductions
Losses

The exception to this is a grantor trust, which need not file Form 1041 as the grantor must report their income & expenses using Form 1040.

Banks and other financial institutions may also ask for a Trust EIN number before doing business with any of the parties involved.

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Benefits of Starting a Trust

Creating a trust lets you conveniently control assets and reduce the entity’s tax liability. Besides this, it also comes with its benefits, especially for a trustor who sets up the fund and its beneficiaries.

Some of these benefits include:

Beneficiaries may access trust assets faster than they would via a will, which typically has long legal asset allocation procedures.

The trustor has more freedom and control over their assets. For instance, they can specify how and when these assets are distributed.

It’s an effective way to protect a beneficiary’s assets against poor management or creditors.

A trust maintains privacy as there are no public court proceedings involved during asset distribution to beneficiaries.

Forming a trust to distribute assets saves on costs that may be involved in public probates such as court and legal fees.

Forming a trust has many benefits, but you need a trust tax ID number to use these benefits and GovDocFiling can help with that.

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Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts

Although there are a number of different uses for trusts, the two basic types are revocable and irrevocable.

Irrevocable Trust

An irrevocable trust entails transferring an individual’s assets to the trust and surrendering all rights of ownership.

The terms of the trust cannot be changed or terminated unless the beneficiaries grant permission.

All irrevocable trusts must have a Federal Tax ID Number, while the same is not the case with a revocable trust.

Revocable Trust

With a revocable trust, the trustor’s Social Security number and tax return are used to report the trust’s income.

The trustor can change or cancel the terms of a revocable trust, which is also sometimes referred to as a living trust.

When a trustor dies, the trust becomes irrevocable. Then their estate needs to get a Federal Tax ID Number.

If you have an irrevocable trust, you need to apply for an EIN for your trust and GovDocFiling can help make the process quicker and easier.

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How Trusts are Used

In addition to ensuring that assets are distributed according to an individual’s wishes, a trust can also shield the parties from estate taxes, help keep financial information private and protect property from the creditors of the trustor’s heirs.

There are several types of special trusts, including (but not limited to) the following:

Conservatorships

These involve a court-appointed individual or organization managing the financial affairs of an individual who the court determines to be incapable of making financial decisions.

Custodianships

These involve a financial institution holding an individual, usually a minor or incapacitated person, typically for safekeeping.

Guardianship

This involves a court-supervised administrator overseeing the assets of a minor or an individual who is incompetent in the eyes of the law.

Charitable Lead Trust

Here, the grantor gives all their income to charity while alive. Upon their death, the principal amount passes to their beneficiary.

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Why Apply for a Trust EIN Number Through GovDocFiling

Applying for a Trust EIN involves filling out complex paperwork with the IRS. However, very few estate planners are prepared to navigate these confusing application forms or deal with lengthy delays.

Fortunately, there is an easier and faster way to apply for a Trust Tax ID Number with GovDocFiling. Here’s why you should choose our services.

Streamlined Process

Rather than wade through complex legalese, you can use our form to easily apply for a Trust Tax ID. We guarantee same-day delivery if the application is received by 3 pm PST, with most trust applicants receiving their EINs in just a few hours.

Simpler Application Form

Our EIN application takes only a few minutes to complete. And it asks all the relevant questions for securing a Tax ID. All the required fields in our EIN application are written in easy-to-understand English to minimize confusion and help you fill out the form quickly and easily.

Excellent Customer Support

Our online EIN form is available 24/7, allowing you to start the application process at your leisure. This is in sharp contrast to the IRS portal, which is only available for select hours during weekdays and is closed during evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Expert Guidance

Our tax experts will carefully review your Trust EIN application for accuracy to ensure there are no errors that might delay the approval process. Our support team is also available 24/7 to answer your questions, explain the process, or provide you with great advice.

GovDocFiling offers a full range of filing, formation, and tax support to help you get your trust up and running as quickly as possible.

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Frequently Asked Questions

You will not need a new EIN (employer identification number) for your trust if your trustee changes. This is regardless of the circumstances under which you get a new trustee—whether you remove or add a trustee, or if a new trustee takes over from their predecessor.

No. With a revocable trust, the Tax ID Number will be the grantor’s Social Security Number. Income earned from the trust is taxed as part of the grantor’s personal income. However, when the grantor dies, the trust becomes irrevocable, and will need to apply for an EIN or tax ID number.

Every irrevocable trust needs an EIN if it generates income as it’s treated as a separate entity from the grantor by the IRS (Internal Revenue Service).

For a revocable living trust, you’ll need an EIN after the creator dies, it can no longer use their Social Security Number. As it now becomes a separate taxable entity, an EIN is needed for tax filing purposes.

A responsible party is a person or organization in charge of managing all the financial decisions related to the property or assets in the trust, including their disposal. Apply for an EIN for your trust online using the form below.

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Whenever you’re ready, click on the button below and start the EIN application process. It takes just minutes to complete. Our tax-savvy customer service team is readily available by phone or chat during business hours or by e-mail to answer any questions.

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