Kaleea -

This sounds like a fairly simple thing. Because of the "need" for the Fed to track all those "money-laundering drug lords," banking regulations require a "taxpayer ID," even for non-profits, on every bank account.

For many small organizations, the common procedure is for a member to use their own ID - i.e. their Social Security number - just as you have done. The difficulty is in keeping the organization funds separated from your own - especially at income tax time. There are also some difficulties with determining whether you need to file an income tax return for the organization.

The procedure for obtaining a "taxpayer ID" for your organization is fairly simple, and the place to find out about it is the nearest Internal Revenue Service office. They should have the appropriate forms and instructions. About all you should need is an "official name" and a "permanent" mailing address. The address can be a member's address. The IRS may also want you to identify the principal officers, and to show some evidence that your organization is "real," although I haven't looked at the forms recently.

In addition to getting the "ID" number, it would probably be a good idea for you to register with the IRS as a "non-profit" entity, which is a separate process. The "ID number" is all you really need in order for the bank to set up an account, but non-profit registration may also be worthwhile just to "clarify your status" and to make sure they don't try to make you pay taxes on the organization's money.

If you don't have a handy-nearby-friendly-Internal-Revenooer, you should be able to find what you need at IRS HOME.

John