What is an EIN number?

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a 9-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify businesses for tax purposes. It's like a Social Security Number for your business, used for filing taxes, opening bank accounts, hiring employees, and applying for business credit.

How do I get an EIN for free?

Apply free at IRS.gov/EIN or call 267-941-1099. Online applications take 10-15 minutes, and you receive your EIN immediately. Never pay a third-party service — the IRS does not charge for EIN applications.

Do I need an EIN if I'm self-employed?

Sole proprietors without employees can use their SSN instead of an EIN. However, getting an EIN is recommended to protect your SSN, open a business bank account, and establish business credit. It's free and takes minutes.

What Is an EIN? How to Get a Business Tax ID Number (2026)

What Is an EIN?

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a unique 9-digit number the IRS assigns to businesses for tax purposes. It’s also called:

Federal Tax ID Number
Federal Employer Identification Number
Business Tax ID

Format: XX-XXXXXXX (e.g., 12-3456789)

Who Needs an EIN?

You Must Get an EIN If You:

Situation	EIN Required
Have employees	Yes
Operate as a corporation or partnership	Yes
File employment, excise, or alcohol/tobacco/firearms returns	Yes
Withhold taxes on income paid to non-resident aliens	Yes
Have a Keogh plan	Yes
Are involved with trusts, estates, non-profits, or farmers’ cooperatives	Yes

You Should Get an EIN If You:

Situation	Why Get One
Sole proprietor with no employees	Protects your SSN
Single-member LLC	Required by most banks
Opening business bank account	Banks often require it
Applying for business credit	Builds business credit history
Working with vendors	More professional

EIN vs SSN vs ITIN

Number	What It’s For	Who Uses It
SSN	Social Security Number for individuals	U.S. citizens and residents
EIN	Business identification	Businesses, entities
ITIN	Individual Taxpayer ID	Individuals without SSN

When to Use Each

Purpose	EIN	SSN
Business tax returns	✓	—
Hire employees	✓	—
Open business bank account	✓	Sometimes
Apply for business credit	✓	—
Personal tax returns	—	✓
W-9 as sole proprietor	Either	Either

How to Get an EIN (Free)

Online Application (Recommended)

Step	Action
1	Go to IRS.gov/EIN
2	Select entity type (LLC, corporation, sole proprietor, etc.)
3	Provide responsible party information
4	Complete application questions
5	Receive EIN immediately upon completion

Available: Monday-Friday, 7 AM - 10 PM Eastern

Application Requirements

Information Needed	Details
Legal name	Exactly as registered
Trade name (DBA)	If different from legal name
Responsible party	Owner, officer, or authorized person
SSN or ITIN	Of responsible party
Business address	Physical U.S. address
Entity type	LLC, corporation, partnership, etc.
Reason for applying	Starting business, hiring, etc.

Other Ways to Apply

By Phone

Detail	Information
Number	267-941-1099 (not toll-free)
Hours	7 AM - 10 PM Eastern, Mon-Fri
Best for	International applicants
Receive EIN	During call

By Mail or Fax

Method	Where to Send	Processing Time
Mail	IRS, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999	4-5 weeks
Fax	855-641-6935	4 business days
Form required	SS-4

EIN Application Timeline

Method	Time to Receive EIN
Online	Immediately
Phone	During call
Fax	4 business days
Mail	4-5 weeks

What to Do After Getting Your EIN

Immediate Steps

Action	Purpose
Save confirmation letter	Official IRS record
Store EIN securely	Protect from identity theft
Notify state tax agency	Register for state taxes if needed
Open business bank account	Separate business/personal finances

Banking Requirements

To Open Business Account	Typically Need
EIN confirmation letter	From IRS (CP 575)
Business formation docs	Articles of incorporation/organization
Operating agreement	For LLCs
Photo ID	Of account signers

Using Your EIN

Common Uses

Use Case	How EIN Is Used
File business taxes	Forms 1120, 1065, Schedule C
Pay employees	Form 941, W-2s
Report independent contractors	Form 1099-NEC
Open business credit card	Required on application
Apply for business loan	Required for lending
Work with vendors	Provide on W-9
Business licenses	Often required by city/state

Tax Forms That Require EIN

Form	Purpose
Form 941	Quarterly payroll taxes
Form 940	Annual federal unemployment
Form 1120	Corporate income tax
Form 1065	Partnership return
Form 1099-NEC/MISC	Contractor payments
W-2	Employee wage reporting

Lost or Forgot Your EIN?

How to Find Your EIN

Method	Details
Original confirmation	CP 575 letter from IRS
Previous tax returns	Listed on all business returns
Bank account documents	Bank required it to open account
Call IRS	800-829-4933 (authorized person only)
State filings	May be on state business records

Getting EIN Confirmation

Need	Action
Replacement letter	Request from IRS by mail or fax
Verify EIN	IRS representative can confirm by phone
Expedited	Not available from IRS

EIN Changes and Updates

When You Need a New EIN

Change	New EIN Needed?
Change business name	No
Change business address	No
Add/change owners	Usually no
Change from sole proprietor to LLC	Yes
LLC becomes corporation	Yes
Corporation becomes LLC	Yes
New owner buys business	Yes
Partnership ownership changes 50%+	Sometimes

How to Update Information

Update	How to Make Change
Business name	Send letter to IRS + Form 8822-B
Business address	Form 8822-B
Responsible party	Form 8822-B
Close business	Send final return + letter to IRS

EIN Scams to Avoid

Red Flags

Scam Type	Warning Signs
Paid EIN services	IRS does not charge — it’s free
Fake IRS websites	Always use IRS.gov
EIN brokers	No need for third parties
Rush fees	IRS issues online immediately

Protect Your EIN

Action	Why
Never share unnecessarily	Prevents fraud
Verify requests	Confirm identity of requesters
Monitor business credit	Check for unauthorized accounts
File taxes timely	Prevents fraudulent returns

State Business Registration

After Getting Federal EIN

State Requirement	Purpose	Where to Register
State tax ID	State income/sales tax	Secretary of State or Dept of Revenue
Sales tax permit	If selling goods	State Dept of Revenue
Business license	Local operating license	City/county government
Employer registration	If hiring in state	State labor department

EIN for Different Entity Types

Sole Proprietor

Aspect	Details
EIN required?	No (can use SSN)
Recommended?	Yes (protects SSN, business banking)
How to get	Apply online, select “sole proprietor”

LLC (Single-Member)

Aspect	Details
EIN required?	No (unless employees)
Recommended?	Yes (banks require it)
How to get	Apply online, select “LLC”

LLC (Multi-Member)

Aspect	Details
EIN required?	Yes
How to get	Apply online, list managing member

Corporation

Aspect	Details
EIN required?	Yes
How to get	Apply online, list officer

Non-Profit

Aspect	Details
EIN required?	Yes
Additional step	File Form 1023/1023-EZ for 501(c)(3) status

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is an EIN valid?

An EIN never expires. Once issued, it’s permanently assigned to that business entity.

Can one person have multiple EINs?

Yes. Each business entity gets its own EIN. A person can own multiple businesses, each with separate EINs.

Can I apply for an EIN if I’m not a U.S. citizen?

Yes. Apply by phone at 267-941-1099. You’ll need either an SSN, ITIN, or EIN of the responsible party.

How much does an EIN cost?

$0 — EINs are free from the IRS. Never pay a third-party service.

Bottom Line

An EIN is your business’s tax ID number — free and easy to get:

Apply online at IRS.gov/EIN (takes 10-15 minutes)
Receive EIN immediately upon completing online application
Store securely — you’ll need it for banking, taxes, and hiring
Never pay — IRS issues EINs free of charge

Even if not required: Get an EIN to protect your SSN, open business accounts, and build business credit.

Tags: