Is a reseller's license and an EIN the same thing?

The company/supplier I am working with wants a copy of my Reseller's License. Is that the same thing as an Employer Identification Number (EIN)?

Also, I am thinking about becoming an LLC and I was wondering if anyone else here is on the same track?

Thanks.

As far as I know, they are not the same. The EIN is used for federal taxes by employers.

You are looking for your state resale certificate, or your state BT number if your state dose not require a resale certificate. Some sole proprietor businesses just use their social security numbers.

Other members can correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think you can use your EIN as a resale certificate.

Your EIN is simply an employee identification number. It is used by most companies to report your earnings and taxes for state, federal, workman's compensation. Most small companies use your social security number in this capacity. A few of the larger companies will assign a second number also.

If you filed a doing-business-as (DBA) with you local government and are doing business as a sole proprieter and have registered you business name with local and state government, you can attempt to use your SSN along with copies of you DBA certificate to provide proof to the companies that you are attempting to deal with, that you are a legitimate company.

I have came across only 2 wholesale companies that accepted this. But I'm sure that there are probably more out there. However I would make sure that I explained quite clearly to these companies that this is what I am using and type of business (Sole Proprietorship) I am operating under. Most legitimate companies will check the number (reseller permit) to see that you are in fact authorized to purchase good at tax exempt.
Also some states require additional reseller permits in certain catagories of goods.

My state issues only one permit, but when you apply, you select all the catagories for the good which you will be selling. When a business does a check on your permit number all of the approved catagories will show what is attached to that specific permit number..

I would suggest that you go ahead and just get a resellers permit. It is very simple to get and will return great benefits. Most major 'TRUE' wholesalers will require this permit. These are the ones that will be selling branded and high quality goods.