Tax ID in USA

hi guys,
Live in Ontario, Canada and jut wanted to start off by auctioning items on ebay using a dropship source. But I found myself nose first into a brick wall when the supplier wanted a Tax id to register and a company name. Do you need to have a whole company set up first?
and what is a tax id and where was it that you could get one for free? thanks alot for the help

anywon have an answer for me ????

i'm feeling a little lost

Each and every state is different when it comes to state tax id's. Some states don't even have state tax id's. in the case your state doesn't have a tax id than you need to aquire a federal income number or ein. Some staes charge and others don't when it comes to tax ids. You can run a search on your state tax id. Somewhere in your state sites there will be an area where you can usually apply online. For additional help call your local courthouse for information regarding business licensing and tax information. Hope this helps some.

tax id's cost little to nothing to get. just do a search through google on how to get them for your state and you should be alright.

thanks guys, that helps alot !! now do you need to register a business before getting an ein or tax id ? hehhe

i was just searching around for what you told me, and cme across a site that im not sure if its for ontario or now but is talking about needing a DBA ( register a business name)
and needing a business license.

startin to feel like i've been digging a whole for myself ,
i thought you dont need to register a business or anything to resell on ebay using dropshipping?

if you're selling on ebay you need absolutely nothing. i make all of my income on ebay, and all i have is an ebay account. i don't have a tax id or business license.

really ? hmmm
do you use any dropshippers at all?
like computer gallery
have any sites asked for a tax id?
thanks alot for responding by the way

i have a guy that kind of dropships. and no he doesn't require a tax ID. not very many suppliers require one.

I would at least get a DBA or doing business as. This way you can have a company bank account etc. You can also talk to other suppliers as a business rather than an individual. A DBA is sually pretty cheap. Bout 20 bucks a person depeding on your bsuiness structure that you decide. Also when you are a DBA or actual company you can legally start to write off certain items for your business on your taxes. I would also check into a buisness license to see if your city requires it. Some cities require that businesses or internet sellers register before selling anything from home as a buisness.

thanks you guys are great! so i guess i go to my local courthouse for that?