Form SS-4 applies for an EIN
The IRS Form SS-4 page says the form is used to apply for an employer identification number. The instructions recommend the IRS online EIN application when eligible.
Tax Paperwork's SS-4 preview is a worksheet only; it does not submit the application or receive an EIN.
Form 8822-B updates an existing EIN record
The IRS Form 8822-B page says businesses and entities with an EIN application on file use the form to update business mailing address, business location, or responsible party.
That means the same business may use SS-4 first and Form 8822-B later, but the facts and risks are different.
Simple decision rule
- Need a new EIN and are eligible for IRS.gov online EIN application: start with official IRS.gov EIN guidance.
- Already have an EIN and need to update address, location, or responsible party: start with Form 8822-B guidance.
Current Tax Paperwork boundary
Tax Paperwork is not tax, legal, accounting, entity-structuring, treaty, fiduciary, valuation, or filing-channel advice. It is not IRS.gov and does not submit, transmit, fax, mail, upload, pay, or monitor IRS paperwork.