You have your EIN.
You’re ready to go operational.
You need a go-live checklist.
You need activation steps.
Banking setup. Payroll setup. SaaS setup. Your activation.
This guide shows you how.
Go-live checklist. Setup steps. Activation process. Your operations.
Read this. Complete the checklist. Go operational.
Key Takeaways
- Open business bank account immediately—use your EIN to open a business bank account as soon as you receive confirmation
- Set up payroll systems—configure payroll software and state tax accounts with your EIN to enable employee payments
- Connect to SaaS platforms—integrate your EIN with business software, payment processors, and other platforms you use
- Update business records—add your EIN to all business documents, contracts, and registration records
- Begin operations—start using your EIN for all business transactions, tax filings, and compliance requirements
Table of Contents
Why Activation Matters
Activation enables operations.
What happens without activation:
- Business can’t operate
- Banking is blocked
- Payroll can’t run
- Revenue is lost
What happens with activation:
- Business operates smoothly
- Banking works
- Payroll processes
- Revenue flows
The reality: Activation enables business.
Banking Setup
Set up banking:
Open Business Account
What to do:
- Schedule bank appointment
- Bring EIN confirmation
- Provide required documents
- Complete account application
Why it matters: Banking enables operations.
Configure Account
What to configure:
- Online banking
- Direct deposit
- Account alerts
- Payment processing
Why it matters: Configuration enables functionality.
Begin Using Account
What to begin:
- Process transactions
- Manage cash flow
- Reconcile accounts
- Maintain records
Why it matters: Usage enables operations.
Pro tip: Set up banking quickly. Open account, configure, begin using. See our banking guide for setup.
Payroll Setup
Set up payroll:
Configure Payroll Software
What to configure:
- Enter EIN information
- Set up tax settings
- Configure employee data
- Test calculations
Why it matters: Payroll enables employee payments.
Register for State Taxes
What to register:
- State unemployment insurance
- State income tax withholding
- Workers’ compensation
- State tax accounts
Why it matters: State registration ensures compliance.
Process First Payroll
What to process:
- Calculate pay
- Withhold taxes
- Process payments
- File reports
Why it matters: Processing enables operations.
Pro tip: Set up payroll. Configure software, register for taxes, process payroll. See our payroll guide for setup.
SaaS Setup
Set up SaaS platforms:
Payment Processors
What to set up:
- Enter EIN information
- Configure tax settings
- Set up payment methods
- Test transactions
Why it matters: Processors enable payments.
Business Software
What to set up:
- Accounting software
- CRM systems
- Project management
- Other business tools
Why it matters: Software enables operations.
Integration Testing
What to test:
- EIN connections
- Data synchronization
- Payment processing
- Reporting functions
Why it matters: Testing ensures functionality.
Pro tip: Set up SaaS platforms. Processors, software, integration. See our integration guide for setup.
Record Updates
Update business records:
Business Documents
What to update:
- Contracts and agreements
- Business licenses
- Registration records
- Tax documents
Why it matters: Documents ensure accuracy.
Online Profiles
What to update:
- Business directories
- Social media profiles
- Website information
- Online listings
Why it matters: Profiles maintain consistency.
Internal Records
What to update:
- Employee records
- Vendor records
- Customer records
- Financial records
Why it matters: Records support operations.
Pro tip: Update all records. Documents, profiles, internal records. See our records guide for updates.
Go-Live Checklist
Complete this checklist:
Immediate Tasks
What to complete:
- Open business bank account
- Set up online banking
- Configure payment processing
- Update business records
Why it matters: Immediate tasks enable operations.
Short-Term Tasks
What to complete:
- Set up payroll systems
- Register for state taxes
- Integrate SaaS platforms
- Test all systems
Why it matters: Short-term tasks ensure functionality.
Ongoing Tasks
What to maintain:
- Process transactions
- File taxes
- Maintain compliance
- Update records
Why it matters: Ongoing tasks maintain operations.
Pro tip: Complete go-live checklist. Immediate, short-term, ongoing. See our EIN guide for checklist.
Your Next Steps
Complete the checklist. Activate your EIN. Go operational.
This Week:
- Review this checklist
- Open business bank account
- Set up payroll systems
- Integrate SaaS platforms
This Month:
- Complete all setup tasks
- Test all systems
- Begin operations
- Maintain compliance
Going Forward:
- Use EIN for all business needs
- Maintain accurate records
- Update systems as needed
- Scale operations efficiently
Need help? Check out our EIN application guide for getting your EIN quickly, our bank checklist for account opening, our payroll setup guide for payroll configuration, and our registered agent guide for business address setup.
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FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions About From Pending to Operational: How to Flip the Switch Once Your EIN Arrives
What is the first thing you should do when your EIN confirmation arrives?
Open a business bank account immediately—bring your EIN confirmation letter and required formation documents to the bank to separate business and personal finances.
Learn More...
The business bank account is the most time-sensitive activation step because it unlocks everything else—payment processing, payroll, expense management, and financial record-keeping. Schedule a bank appointment as soon as your EIN arrives.
Bring your EIN confirmation letter (CP 575 from the IRS), your formation documents (Articles of Organization or Incorporation), a government-issued ID, and any other documents your chosen bank requires.
Once the account is open, immediately configure online banking, set up direct deposit capabilities, enable account alerts for transactions and balances, and connect payment processing. This single step transitions you from pending to financially operational.
How do you connect your EIN to payroll systems and begin paying employees?
Enter your EIN into payroll software, configure federal and state tax settings, register for state tax accounts, and process a test payroll before running your first real paycheck.
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Start by configuring your chosen payroll software with your EIN—this connects your business identity to all tax calculations and filings. Set up federal tax settings (income tax withholding rates, Social Security, Medicare) and state tax settings for each state where you have employees.
Register for state-level tax accounts if you haven't already: state unemployment insurance, state income tax withholding, and workers' compensation. Enter these state account numbers into your payroll software.
Before processing your first real payroll, run a test to verify calculations are correct—gross pay, tax withholdings, deductions, and net pay should all match expectations. Only after verification should you process actual employee payments.
What SaaS platforms and business software need your EIN to become fully operational?
Payment processors (Stripe, Square), accounting software, CRM systems, and any business platform that handles transactions or tax reporting need your EIN.
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Payment processors like Stripe, Square, and PayPal require your EIN to set up merchant accounts, process customer payments, and generate 1099-K tax reporting. Configure your EIN, set up payment methods, and test transactions.
Accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero) needs your EIN for tax calculations, financial reporting, and payroll integration. CRM systems and project management tools may need it for billing and invoicing features.
After connecting each platform, test the integration—verify EIN connections are working, data synchronizes correctly between systems, payment processing functions properly, and reporting generates accurate outputs. Document all platform connections in your records.
What business records should be updated immediately after receiving your EIN?
Update all contracts, business licenses, registration records, tax documents, online profiles, and internal records with your new EIN.
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Start with official documents: update any pending contracts and agreements, business licenses and permits, state registration records, and tax filings to include your EIN. This establishes your business's legal identity across all formal relationships.
Update your online presence: business directory listings, social media profiles, website business information, and any online registrations that reference your business details.
Update internal records: employee files, vendor accounts, customer records, and financial records should all reference your EIN. Consistent use of your EIN across all records establishes the business as a separate legal entity and prevents confusion with future tax filings.
What is the complete go-live checklist for activating a business once the EIN arrives?
Complete immediate tasks (bank account, online banking), short-term tasks (payroll, state taxes, SaaS integration, testing), and set up ongoing tasks (transactions, tax filings, compliance).
Learn More...
Immediate tasks (first 48 hours): open business bank account, set up online banking, configure payment processing, and update critical business records with your EIN.
Short-term tasks (first 2 weeks): set up payroll systems with your EIN, register for state tax accounts, integrate all SaaS platforms, test every system end-to-end, and complete all record updates.
Ongoing tasks (continuous): process business transactions through your business account, file taxes using your EIN, maintain compliance with all federal and state requirements, and update records whenever business information changes. The go-live checklist transforms your business from a pending formation into a fully operational entity.
Why is EIN activation timing critical for business operations?
Every day between receiving your EIN and activating it is a day your business can't accept payments, pay employees, or operate officially—costing you revenue and momentum.
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Without activation, your business exists on paper but can't function. Banking is blocked (no account means no transactions), payroll can't run (no payment infrastructure), revenue can't flow (no payment processing), and compliance obligations begin accumulating.
The gap between EIN receipt and full activation should be as short as possible. Every day of delay costs potential revenue, delays hiring, and pushes back your operational timeline.
Having a pre-planned go-live checklist means you can move through activation steps rapidly instead of figuring them out one at a time. Prepare your bank appointment, payroll software selection, and SaaS platform list before your EIN arrives so you can execute immediately.
Sources & Additional Information
This guide provides general information about going operational with your EIN. Your specific situation may require different considerations.
For EIN application, see our EIN Application Guide.
For bank checklist, see our Bank Checklist Guide.
For payroll setup, see our Payroll Setup Guide.
For registered agent services, see our Registered Agent Guide.
Consult with professionals for advice specific to your situation.
