A federal tax identification number (TIN), also known as an employer identification number (EIN), is used to identify a business entity — similar to a social security number for an individual. It simply provides a mechanism for any reportable transactions to be accumulated under a single identification number.

As Alumni Association clubs and affiliates are legally distinct from the organization, each is required to obtain its own TIN and use its TIN to open its bank account(s), secure state/local licenses, and generally conduct business. Clubs and affiliates should NOT use either the Alumni Association’s TIN (23-7206591) or the University’s TIN (38-6006309) to open bank accounts or otherwise conduct business.

Though TINs are issued by the IRS, obtaining a TIN says nothing about an organization’s tax status, including whether the organization is for-profit, not-for-profit, or tax exempt (though an organization needs a TIN in order to apply for tax exemption). In other words, obtaining a TIN does not trigger an obligation to pay taxes or file a tax return.

Clubs and affiliates are responsible for spending their annual funding from the Alumni Association on engagement programming throughout the year. Club bank accounts should not carry over significant balances from year to year. Thus, even in the unlikely scenario that a club/affiliate has an interest-bearing bank account, the amount of interest earned in any given year by that account should not meet the minimum threshold for a bank to report such income to the IRS. The bank is not reporting interest income for these small accounts to the IRS. The IRS generally does not question why a tax return has not been filed.

If your club/affiliate does not already have a TIN, you can apply for one online.

During the online application process, you will be asked for the club’s legal structure. Your answer will depend on whether your club/affiliate is incorporated in your respective state. If yes, you should select “Corporation.” If no, you should select “Community or Volunteer Group.”

If you fill out form SS-4, question 9a asks for “Type of entity.” If your club/affiliate is incorporated, select “Corporation” (you may leave blank the “form number to be filed” field). If not incorporated, select “Other” and enter “community volunteer group.”

As to your reason for applying, you should specify “banking purpose” and specify (if asked) “opening bank account.” The form asks for a responsible individual to sign it and provide their social security number. This is simply to identify yourself as a club leader; it does not give you any control over or liability for club/affiliate funds.