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How to Get an EIN at a Glance
- An EIN is a free, nine-digit federal tax ID issued by the IRS. Applying online at IRS.gov is the fastest method and delivers your EIN immediately upon approval.
- You must form your LLC, corporation, or other business entity with your state before applying, because the IRS requires your legal entity to already exist.
- Most LLCs need an EIN. Single-member LLCs with no employees can sometimes use the owner’s SSN, but getting an EIN is strongly recommended to protect your personal information and open a business bank account.
- The online application is available Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–10 p.m. ET only, allows one EIN per responsible party per day, and must be completed in a single session. The IRS does not save partial applications.
- Fax and mail applications are available if you can’t use the online tool, but processing takes generally four business days (fax) or typically four to five weeks (mail).
- Store your CP 575 confirmation letter permanently. It’s the only original confirmation the IRS issues, and replacing it means requesting a 147C letter by phone.
What Is an EIN, and How Does It Differ from a Federal Tax ID Number?
An EIN is a nine-digit number the IRS assigns to a business entity for federal tax purposes. It follows the format XX-XXXXXXX and works like a Social Security number for your business: it identifies your company on tax returns, bank applications, and federal filings.
EIN, federal tax ID number, FEIN, and federal employer identification number all refer to the exact same thing. Two distinctions worth keeping straight.
- EIN vs. SSN: An SSN identifies an individual; an EIN identifies a business entity. They are never interchangeable on business filings.
- EIN vs. state tax ID: Your EIN is a federal identifier issued by the IRS. Most states issue a separate state tax ID for state-level obligations, which is a different registration entirely.
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Do You Need an EIN? A Quick Decision Guide by Business Type
According to the IRS, you need an EIN if your business has employees, operates as a corporation or partnership, files excise or employment tax returns, or withholds taxes on income paid to a non-resident alien. Beyond those triggers, the requirement depends on your entity type.
| Entity Type | Needs an EIN? |
|---|---|
| Multi-member LLC | Yes, always |
| Single-member LLC with employees | Yes |
| Single-member LLC, no employees, no excise tax | Optional but strongly recommended |
| Sole proprietor with employees | Yes |
| Sole proprietor, no employees | Optional |
| C-corp or S-corp | Yes, always |
| Partnership | Yes, always |
| Nonprofit | Yes, always |
| Estate or trust | Depends on structure. See “Does an irrevocable grantor trust need an EIN?” in the FAQs |
If your LLC has more than one member, the IRS requires an EIN with no exceptions. Single-member LLCs without employees can technically use the owner’s SSN, but that puts your SSN on every W-9 and vendor form you sign. Getting an EIN is the cleaner move, and most banks require one to open a business account anyway.
Even when an EIN is technically optional, getting one keeps your SSN off vendor forms, satisfies most bank account requirements, and costs nothing.
Should I Get an EIN or Form My LLC First?
Form your LLC, or whichever entity type you’re using, with your state first, then apply for an EIN. The IRS requires your legal entity to already exist before it will issue one, and the online application asks for your business’s legal name and formation date.
What You Need Before You Apply for an EIN
Gather everything on this list before you open the IRS application. The online tool does not save your progress. If it times out, you start over.
Have these items ready:
- Legal name of the business, exactly as it appears on your articles of organization or incorporation
- Business mailing address, which must be a U.S. address to use the online tool. Foreign addresses require a phone application (see the callout below)
- Entity type: LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship, partnership, etc.
- Reason for applying: starting a new business, hiring employees, opening a bank account, or changing business structure
- Responsible party’s full legal name
- Responsible party’s SSN or ITIN, as the IRS will not issue an EIN without one
- State of formation and formation date, confirmed against your filed formation documents
Foreign applicants without an SSN or ITIN cannot use the online tool. You must call the IRS international line at 267-941-1099, Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–11 p.m. ET, or submit Form SS-4 by fax or mail.
Who Is the “Responsible Party” on an EIN Application?
The responsible party is the individual who actually owns or controls the entity and its assets, not just someone who signs documents on its behalf.
- For an LLC: typically the managing member
- For a corporation: typically a principal officer
The responsible party must have an individual SSN or ITIN. You cannot enter a business EIN in this field. The IRS also limits applications to one EIN per responsible party per calendar day, so if you’re forming multiple entities, plan accordingly.
How to Get an EIN Online: Step-by-Step
The IRS online EIN application is free, issues your EIN immediately upon approval, and is available Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–10 p.m. ET. You must finish it in one session.
- Go to the IRS EIN Assistant. Access it through IRS.gov during operating hours. The tool is not available nights, weekends, or federal holidays.
- Select your entity type. Choose from sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, partnership, estate, trust, or other. Match your selection exactly to your formation documents, as the wrong choice can cause tax filing problems later.
- Identify your reason for applying. Options include starting a new business, hiring employees, banking purposes, or changing your business structure.
- Enter your responsible party’s information. The IRS requires a full legal name plus a valid SSN or ITIN.
- Enter your business information. Legal business name, any trade name (DBA), mailing address, state of formation, and the date your entity was formed or acquired.
- Review and submit. The tool shows a summary before you finalize. Check every field, as corrections require contacting the IRS directly.
- Save your EIN immediately. The IRS displays it once on-screen. Print the page or copy the number before closing your browser. You’ll also receive a CP 575 confirmation letter by mail within four to five weeks.
Don’t close the browser before saving your EIN. If you close the window without recording it, call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 to retrieve it.
Other Ways to Apply: Fax, Mail, and International Phone
If the online tool doesn’t work for your situation, whether due to a foreign address, outside business hours, or a preference for paper, the IRS offers three other methods, all using Form SS-4, available free at IRS.gov. None deliver your EIN instantly.
| Method | Who Can Use It | Processing Time | How to Submit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | U.S. address; SSN or ITIN required | Immediate | IRS.gov EIN Assistant (Mon–Fri, 7 a.m.–10 p.m. ET) |
| Fax | U.S. or international applicants | Generally 4 business days | Fax completed Form SS-4 to the appropriate IRS fax number |
| U.S. or international applicants | Typically 4–5 weeks | Mail completed Form SS-4 to the IRS | |
| Phone (international only) | Foreign applicants without an SSN or ITIN | Immediate | Call 267-941-1099, Mon–Fri, 6 a.m.–11 p.m. ET |
- Fax is the fastest non-online option. Include a cover sheet with your business name and a return fax number. The IRS uses that number to send your EIN back.
- Mail is the slowest, so plan ahead. Paper applications are processed within 30 days of receipt. If you have a deadline, mail is a risky choice.
- Phone is reserved for international applicants only. The IRS no longer issues EINs by telephone for domestic taxpayers.
- Use the current Form SS-4. The IRS updated Form SS-4 in 2023 and again in 2025. Outdated versions will be rejected, so download the current version from IRS.gov.
One rule applies to every method: the IRS limits applications to one EIN per responsible party per calendar day. Submitting by multiple methods at the same time will likely result in duplicates.
How Much Does It Cost to Get an EIN?
Getting an EIN directly from the IRS is free, regardless of which method you use.
Third-party websites charge fees, sometimes $50 to $300 or more, to apply on your behalf. These services are legal but unnecessary. The IRS application takes about 15 minutes. If you prefer guided help, Inc Authority offers EIN filing assistance as part of its free business formation package, and you only pay the required state fees.
Common EIN Application Mistakes and How to Avoid Delays
- Applying before your entity legally exists. File your formation documents with your state first.
- Using a business EIN for the responsible party field. This field requires an individual’s SSN or ITIN.
- Entering a foreign address in the online tool. Use the international phone line or Form SS-4 by fax or mail instead.
- Exceeding the one-EIN-per-responsible-party-per-day limit. Spread applications for multiple entities across separate days.
- Closing the browser before saving your EIN. Call 800-829-4933 to retrieve it.
- Selecting the wrong entity type. Always match your selection to your formation documents.
What to Do After You Get Your EIN
Your EIN is active immediately for most purposes, including banking, contracts, and vendor onboarding. It typically takes about two weeks to be fully registered across all IRS systems, which you’ll need before you can use it for electronic filing or tax payments. Plan around that window if you have an e-filing deadline coming up.
- Store your CP 575 letter permanently
The CP 575 is the IRS’s official EIN Confirmation Letter, issued once. Keep it with your formation documents. If yours is lost, call 800-829-4933, Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. local time, and request a 147C letter. Most banks and third-party providers treat the CP 575 and 147C interchangeably.
- Open a business bank account
Most banks require your EIN and formation documents. Your CP 575 or 147C is the standard proof. Separating business and personal finances is essential to protecting your personal liability.
- Register for state taxes
Your EIN is a federal identifier only. Most states require a separate state tax registration through your state’s department of revenue. If you’re selling goods or services subject to sales tax, you’ll likely need a state sales tax permit as well.
- Set up payroll if you’re hiring
You’ll need your EIN for reporting payroll taxes, withholdings, and issuing W-2 forms. You’ll also need to enroll in the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) to make federal tax deposits. The IRS requires deposits on a set schedule tied to your payroll size, and late payments carry penalties.
- Update your business records
Go back and update any documents that reference your tax ID, including your operating agreement, partnership agreement, or corporate bylaws, plus any bank or vendor accounts that require your tax identification number.
How to Find or Recover a Lost EIN
If you’ve already been issued an EIN but can’t locate it, you don’t need to apply again. The IRS never reassigns or cancels an EIN once issued.
- Check your CP 575 letter. If you filed it with your formation documents, it’s your quickest answer.
- Look at a previously filed tax return. Your EIN appears on every federal business return, including Form 1120, Form 1065, or Schedule C.
- Check your business bank account documents. Most banks record your EIN when you open an account.
- Search any W-9 or 1099 forms you’ve issued. Your EIN appears on those forms.
- Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line. Call 800-829-4933, Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. local time. Have your business name, address, and responsible party information ready. The IRS will verify your identity and either provide your EIN over the phone or mail a 147C letter.
EIN FAQs
How Much Does It Cost to Get an EIN?
Getting an EIN is free directly from the IRS. Third-party services are legal but unnecessary, and the application takes about 15 minutes. Inc Authority includes EIN filing as part of its free business formation package if you’d like guided assistance.
What Are the Requirements to Get an EIN?
You need an EIN if your business has employees, operates as a corporation or partnership, files excise or employment tax returns, or withholds taxes on income paid to a non-resident alien. Requirements vary by entity type beyond those triggers. In all cases, your business entity must legally exist before you apply.
Should I Get an EIN or Form My LLC First?
Form your LLC first. The IRS requires your legal entity to already exist, and the online application asks for your business’s legal name and formation date.
Does an Irrevocable Grantor Trust Need an EIN?
Generally, yes. When a revocable living trust becomes irrevocable, typically upon the grantor’s death, it becomes a separate taxable entity and must obtain its own EIN. Certain grantor-type trusts are exempt if the trustee furnishes the grantor’s name, TIN, and address to all payers, but those situations are narrow. Confirm what your specific trust requires with a tax professional.
Can I Use My EIN for Multiple Businesses?
No. Each separate legal entity requires its own EIN.
Do I Need a New EIN if My Business Changes?
You need a new EIN when ownership or structure changes fundamentally, such as incorporating a sole proprietorship, taking on partners, or creating a new entity after a merger. You do not need a new EIN for a name change, address change, DBA addition, or S corporation tax election. See the IRS “When to Get a New EIN” guidance at IRS.gov for a full breakdown.
Can I Apply for an EIN if I Don’t Have an SSN?
Yes, but not through the online tool. Foreign applicants without an SSN or ITIN must call 267-941-1099, Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–11 p.m. ET, or submit Form SS-4 by fax or mail. An ITIN can substitute for an SSN if you’ve already obtained one.
How Long Does It Take to Get an EIN?
The online tool issues your EIN immediately, in about 15 minutes. Fax applications are generally processed within four business days. Mail takes up to 30 days. Foreign applicants who call 267-941-1099 receive their EIN immediately over the phone.
What Is a CP 575 Letter, and How Is It Different from a 147C Letter?
The CP 575 is the EIN Confirmation Letter the IRS mails after your EIN is first assigned. It is issued once and never reissued. The 147C is a verification letter the IRS sends upon request when you need to confirm your EIN but no longer have the CP 575. To request a 147C, call 800-829-4933, Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. local time. Most banks and agencies accept both as equivalent proof.
When Can I Start Using My EIN After Receiving It?
Immediately, for most purposes, including banking, contracts, vendor W-9 forms, and payroll onboarding. For electronic filing, allow up to two weeks for the EIN to be fully registered across IRS electronic systems.