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Official form guide
Form W-13: ExSTARS Reporting Information Request for Employer Identification Number and Certification
IRS Form W-13 is the ExSTARS Reporting Information Request used by entities engaged in Excise Summary Terminal Activity Reporting System to obtain or confirm their employer identification number (EIN). Failure to provide a correct EIN incurs a $50 penalty per violation.
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IRS Form W-13 - ExSTARS Reporting Information Request for Employer Identification Number and Certification
IRS Form W-13 is the ExSTARS Reporting Information Request used by entities engaged in Excise Summary Terminal Activity Reporting System to obtain or confirm their employer identification number (EIN). Failure to provide a correct EIN incurs a $50 penalty per violation.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Submitting an incorrect EIN can result in a $50 penalty per failure.
- 2Using a Social Security Number instead of an EIN, which is not permitted for ExSTARS reporting.
- 3Leaving the federal tax classification box unchecked on the Name line.
- 4Providing the owner’s EIN instead of the disregarded entity’s EIN when a disregarded entity applies.
- 5Failing to sign Part II or omitting the signee’s name, title, or date.
Plain English
Form W-13 lets a business give its EIN to a requester who needs it for ExSTARS reporting. You write the business name, tax type, address and the EIN, then an owner signs to certify it’s correct.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2014-01-24 00:00:00
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when you need to request or confirm an EIN for Excise Summary Terminal Activity Reporting System (ExSTARS) reporting.
- Do not use it when you only have a Social Security Number and no EIN, as SSNs are not permitted in ExSTARS reporting.
- Check Form SS-4 instead when you need to apply for a new EIN.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Applying for a new EIN
An EIN is required before completing Form W-13
✓ Confirm you have no existing EIN
Providing EIN for ExSTARS reporting
The form collects the EIN for ExSTARS
✓ Verify the EIN matches the ExSTARS entity
Updating EIN after a change
Changes must be reported on a new W-13
✓ Ensure name and EIN are current
Deadline or filing window
Not stated in the official source.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Name (as shown on tax returns)
Business name as on tax documents · Form W-13 Name line
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Valid EIN for ExSTARS entity · Form W-13 Part I
Federal tax classification box
Selection of correct classification code · Form W-13 classification section
Signature of U.S. person
Owner or principal officer signature · Form W-13 Part II
Date
Date of signing · Form W-13 Part II
Before you submit
- 1Verify the Name line matches tax return records.
- 2Confirm the EIN entered is the ExSTARS entity’s EIN, not a Social Security Number.
- 3Check the federal tax classification box and enter the correct code.
- 4Ensure the signature of an owner or principal officer is present.
- 5Enter the signer’s printed name and title.
- 6Date the form on the signature line.
- 7Review that no Social Security Number is entered.
- 8Confirm no required fields are left blank.
How to file this form
- 1Obtain a valid EIN using Form SS-4 if you do not already have one.
- 2Complete the Name and Business name fields on Form W-13.
- 3Enter the correct EIN and select the appropriate federal tax classification.
- 4Sign and date the certification section as an owner or principal officer.
- 5Submit the completed Form W-13 to the requester as instructed.
- 6Retain a copy of the signed Form W-13 for your records.
Known limitations
- 1The form cannot be used with Social Security Numbers; only EINs are accepted.
- 2Form W-13 is not a tax return filing form.
- 3It applies only to entities engaged in ExSTARS reporting activities.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Personal Info
2 items
Your legal name and current mailing address.
Your taxpayer identification number — must match IRS records.
Filing Status
1 items
Single, Married Filing Jointly, or Head of Household (for withholding purposes).
Dependents
1 items
Number of qualifying children and other dependents.
Adjustments
1 items
Additional income not from jobs or adjustments to withholding.
Withholding
1 items
Additional amount you want withheld from each paycheck.
Certification
1 items
Your tax entity type: Individual, Corporation, Partnership, etc.
Signatures
1 items
Sign and date to certify under penalty of perjury.
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form W-13 (January 2014) revision date is 01/14. The source points to a latest information page at www.irs.gov/formw13 for updates.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the form shows revision date January 2014 (01/14).
- Fee — Not stated in the official source.
- Mailing address — Not stated in the official source.
- Signature — confirm the form is signed by an owner or principal officer as required.
Quick Facts
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After you file
- 1Keep a copy of the signed Form W-13 for your records.
- 2Provide updated information to the requester if the name or EIN changes.
- 3Expect the requester to use the EIN for ExSTARS information returns.
- 4If an error is found, contact the requester to correct the form.
- 5Do not send the form to the IRS address listed; send it to the requester.
Sources
- SRCForm p.1 — revision date reads January 2014 (01/14).
- SRCForm p.1 — latest information page URL is www.irs.gov/formw13.
- SRCForm p.1 — purpose: request a valid EIN for ExSTARS reporting.
- SRCForm p.1 — penalty of $50 for each failure to furnish correct EIN.
- SRCForm p.2 — instructions to apply for an EIN using Form SS-4.
- SRCForm p.2 — signature must be by an owner or principal officer.
- SRCForm p.2 — Social Security Numbers not permitted in ExSTARS reporting.
- SRCForm p.2 — do not send the form to the IRS address listed; send to the requester.
Common confusion points
Do I need to enter my Social Security Number?
SSNs are not permitted for ExSTARS reporting.
→ Verify you are entering an EIN, not an SSN.
What if I don’t have an EIN yet?
The form requires an EIN; you must obtain one first.
→ Apply for an EIN using Form SS-4 before completing W-13.
Which box should I check for my tax classification?
Multiple classification options and codes are listed.
→ Select the box that matches your entity type and enter the corresponding code.
Do I need to send this form to the IRS address listed?
The address on the form is for comments, not submission.
→ Send the form to the requester as directed, not to the IRS address.
Can I use a ‘Applied For’ EIN placeholder?
‘Applied For’ designations are not valid on the form.
→ Ensure you have an actual EIN before filing.
Do I need to include my phone number?
Phone number is suggested for comments, not required for the form.
→ Include a phone number only if providing comments.
Workflow map
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Questions about IRS Form W-13
What is IRS Form W-13 used for?
Form W-13 lets a business give its EIN to a requester who needs it for ExSTARS reporting. You write the business name, tax type, address and the EIN, then an owner signs to certify it’s correct.
Who must file IRS Form W-13?
Businesses or other U.S. entities that participate in ExSTARS reporting must file IRS Form W-13.
What information does IRS Form W-13 require?
Part I gathers the entity’s name, business or disregarded‑entity name, federal tax classification, address and the EIN; Part II requires the owner or principal officer’s signature, date, name and title to certify the EIN.
How do I complete IRS Form W-13?
Enter the entity’s name as shown on tax returns, any different business or disregarded‑entity name, select the appropriate federal tax classification and provide the address on the Name line. In Part I, enter the EIN that is associated with the ExSTARS activities. In Part II, an owner or principal officer signs, dates, and types or writes their name and title to certify the EIN is correct.
What happens if IRS Form W-13 is filed incorrectly?
Providing an incorrect EIN can trigger a $50 penalty for each failure and may lead to civil penalties for false information.
Do I need to enter my Social Security Number?
SSNs are not permitted for ExSTARS reporting. Verify you are entering an EIN, not an SSN.
What if I don’t have an EIN yet?
The form requires an EIN; you must obtain one first. Apply for an EIN using Form SS-4 before completing W-13.
Which box should I check for my tax classification?
Multiple classification options and codes are listed. Select the box that matches your entity type and enter the corresponding code.
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