My concern is that this EIN may be tied to my company name and not me as an owner
Your concerns are misfounded. That EIN is assigned to your business, and tied directly to your SSN. There are only two entities on this planet that know what SSN that EIN is tied to; you and the IRS. That's it. What you use for paying your taxes to the IRS really doesn't matter; be it the EIN or SSN. Remember, *ONLY* the IRS issues EINs, so ONLY the IRS and the applicant know what SSN that EIN is tied to.
When a client asks you for your tax identification number for business purposes, you provide them the EIN. Under no circumstances and with no exceptions should you ever provide your SSN. Why?
If your EIN is abused, it only affects your business. But if your SSN is abused it can ruin your entire life. I've been self-employed with a single member LLC for over 15 years now and have been asked numerous times to provide a W-9. I always provide my EIN and *only* my EIN. On the rare occation where I get a client that insist on the SSN, I just flat out refuse and as far as I'm concerned, they can take their business elsewhere. There is absolutely no reason what-so-ever for anyone to have a need for your SSN. In fact, even the bank where you may have your business accounts really doesn't need your SSN - just the EIN. But for a disregarded entity I have no problem providing a legitimate banking institution with both - it makes their recording keeping eaiser and simpler. Besides, as a signatory on the account I can see a bank having a valid need for both the EIN and SSN. But that's pretty much it.
Now for state taxes, you'll find on your state tax return for the business income, that form will have both your SSN and your federally issued EIN on it. So that's why it really doesn't matter what you use when paying your federal quarterly taxes. But I do agree with using the SSN when paying your quarterly state taxes.
Besides, of the 37 states that tax personal income, some will issue you a completely separate state tax ID number for the business, and you are required to utilize that state issued ID when paying your state quarterly taxes. Hawaii is one such state that I'm aware of.
Bottom line is, when it comes to the business, you only give out your SSN if it is the only legal option available. Otherwise, they get the EIN or nothing at all.
