W-13

ExSTARS Reporting Information Request for Employer Identification Number and Certification

Agency
IRS
Revision
January 2014
Fillable fields
17
Pages
2
Official source
IRS form page
Checked
October 21, 2026
Fill W-13 online
Page 1 of form W-13

Form W-13: ExSTARS Reporting Information Request for EIN and Certification

Form W-13 is used to request a valid employer identification number (EIN) for Excise Summary Terminal Activity Reporting System (ExSTARS) reporting. A person who files an ExSTARS information return with the IRS asks for the form, and the business that receives it fills in its EIN, signs and gives it back.

The form gives an example: a truck carrier making a delivery to a terminal provides the carrier company's EIN to the terminal operator. The form says Social Security numbers are not permitted in ExSTARS reporting, and the instructions say "Applied For" type designations are not valid either.

The form says the receiving party returns it to the requester after providing a correct EIN. You can fill out the PDF free in your browser on this page and download it without an account.

Top of page 1 of Form W-13: ExSTARS Reporting Information Request for EIN and Certification, as printed by IRS

What's on Form W-13

Name lines

The name as shown on your tax returns, and a business name or disregarded entity name if different.

Federal tax classification

Boxes for individual/sole proprietor, C corporation, S corporation, partnership, trust/estate, limited liability company with a C, S or P code, and other.

Address and requester

Street address, city, state and ZIP code, plus a box for the requester's name and address.

Part I: Employer Identification Number

One EIN box. The form says the EIN must be for the ExSTARS transaction entity, and a disregarded entity reports its own EIN, not the owner's.

Part II: Certification

A certification under penalties of perjury that the number shown is the correct EIN, with the signature, date and the signer's name and title.

How to fill out Form W-13

  1. 1

    Name

    A sole proprietor enters their individual name as shown on the income tax return. A partnership or corporation enters the entity's name. Any business, trade or DBA name goes on the second line.

  2. 2

    Disregarded entities

    The instructions say to enter the owner's name on the Name line and the disregarded entity's name on the business name line. The Name line should never be a disregarded entity.

  3. 3

    Tax classification

    Check the box for the person on the Name line. An LLC checks only the LLC box and enters C, S or P; the instructions say an LLC treated as a partnership enters P.

  4. 4

    Part I

    Enter the EIN associated with the ExSTARS activities. The instructions say an entity without an EIN applies for one using Form SS-4.

  5. 5

    Part II

    An owner or principal officer signs and dates the certification, then types or clearly writes their name and title.

These steps follow the Specific Instructions printed on the form.

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Where it goes, updates and penalties

Where it goes

The form says the receiving party returns it to the requester after providing a correct EIN. The IRS comments address on page 2 says "Do not send the form to this address."

Keeping it current

The form says updated information goes to the requester if the name or EIN changes while still engaged in ExSTARS reporting activities.

Failure to furnish an EIN

The form lists a penalty of $50 for each failure to furnish a correct EIN to a requester, unless due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.

False information

The form lists a $500 penalty for a false statement with no reasonable basis that results in no backup withholding, and criminal penalties for willfully falsifying certifications.

Misuse of EINs

The form says a requester who discloses or uses EINs in violation of federal law may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

Related forms

Who completes Form W-13?

  • Businesses in ExSTARS transactions

    The instructions say persons engaging in ExSTARS activities must possess an EIN. The EIN on the form is for the ExSTARS transaction entity.

  • Carriers delivering to a terminal

    The form's own example: a truck carrier making a delivery to a terminal provides the carrier company's EIN to the terminal operator.

  • Requesters who file ExSTARS returns

    The person required to file an ExSTARS information return with the IRS requests the form and receives it back. Their name and address go in the requester box.

  • Owners and principal officers

    The instructions say Form W-13 must be signed by an owner or principal officer, who also types or clearly writes their name and title.

The form is completed by the business whose EIN is needed for ExSTARS reporting, and returned to the requester. The instructions say an owner or principal officer signs it.

Official sources and the blank

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Questions about Form W-13

What is Form W-13 for?

The About page says it is filed to request a valid employer identification number (EIN) for Excise Summary Terminal Activity Reporting System (ExSTARS) reporting.

Is Form W-13 sent to the IRS?

The form says the receiving party returns it to the requester after providing a correct EIN.

Can a Social Security number be used?

No. The form says Social Security numbers are not permitted in ExSTARS reporting, and the instructions say "Applied For" designations are not valid.

Who signs Form W-13?

The instructions say an owner or principal officer signs it and types or clearly writes their name and title.

What if the business has no EIN?

The instructions say to apply for one immediately using Form SS-4, or online through irs.gov.