An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a free, 9-digit number from the IRS that identifies your business for tax purposes. It takes 5 minutes to get one online.
Quick answer: Apply at irs.gov — it’s free and instant. Go to irs.gov, search “EIN,” click “Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online,” answer the questions, and receive your EIN immediately. Available Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–10:00 PM ET. Never pay a third party for this — it’s always free.
EIN at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free (always) |
| Application time | 5 minutes |
| Where to apply | irs.gov/ein |
| Online availability | Mon–Fri, 7 AM–10 PM ET |
| Processing (online) | Instant |
| Processing (fax) | 4 business days |
| Processing (mail) | 4–6 weeks |
| Format | XX-XXXXXXX (9 digits) |
| Also called | Federal Tax ID Number, Tax Identification Number |
Who Needs an EIN
| Business Type | EIN Required? |
|---|---|
| LLC with employees | Yes |
| Multi-member LLC | Yes |
| Single-member LLC (no employees) | Not required, but strongly recommended |
| Corporation (S-Corp or C-Corp) | Yes |
| Partnership | Yes |
| Sole proprietorship with employees | Yes |
| Sole proprietorship (no employees) | Not required (can use SSN) |
| Nonprofit | Yes |
| Trust or estate | Yes |
Why You Should Get One Even If Not Required
| Reason | Details |
|---|---|
| Open a business bank account | Banks require an EIN or SSN — EIN keeps your SSN private |
| Protect your SSN | Don’t put your Social Security number on invoices, W-9s, and contracts |
| Build business credit | Business credit requires an EIN |
| Hire employees later | You’ll need one anyway |
| File business taxes | Required for most business tax returns |
| Apply for business credit cards/loans | Lenders use your EIN |
| It’s free | No cost or downside |
How to Apply Online (Step-by-Step)
Before You Start
| You’ll Need | Details |
|---|---|
| SSN or ITIN | Of the “responsible party” (owner/member/officer) |
| Legal name of business | Must match your formation documents |
| Business address | Physical address (US) |
| Reason for applying | New business, hired employees, etc. |
| Entity type | LLC, corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship |
| Date business started | Or date organized |
| Number of employees expected | First year |
Step-by-Step Application
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Go to irs.gov and search “Apply EIN” |
| 2 | Click “Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online” |
| 3 | Click “Apply Online Now” |
| 4 | Read the disclaimers and click “Begin Application” |
| 5 | Select your entity type (e.g., “Limited Liability Company”) |
| 6 | Confirm the number of LLC members |
| 7 | Select your state |
| 8 | Answer “Why are you applying?” (typically “Started a new business”) |
| 9 | Enter the responsible party’s name and SSN/ITIN |
| 10 | Enter business details (name, address, start date) |
| 11 | Select business activity type |
| 12 | Enter expected employee count and payroll date (if applicable) |
| 13 | Review and submit |
| 14 | Receive your EIN immediately — save and print the confirmation |
Important Notes
| Note | Details |
|---|---|
| One EIN per day | IRS limits one EIN per responsible party per day online |
| Session timeout | 15-minute inactivity timeout — don’t leave the page |
| No save and return | Must complete in one session |
| Confirmation letter | CP 575 notice mailed to you within 4 weeks (save the online confirmation as backup) |
| Cannot apply on weekends | Online system: Mon–Fri, 7 AM–10 PM ET only |
Alternative Application Methods
By Fax (Form SS-4)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Form | SS-4 (Application for Employer Identification Number) |
| Fax number | Varies by state — see irs.gov for current numbers |
| Processing time | 4 business days |
| Response | Faxed back to you |
| When to use | International applicants, ITIN pending |
By Mail (Form SS-4)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Mail to | Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999 |
| Processing time | 4–6 weeks |
| Response | Mailed to you (CP 575 notice) |
| When to use | Last resort if online and fax aren’t available |
By Phone (International Only)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Phone | 267-941-1099 (not toll-free) |
| Hours | Mon–Fri, 6 AM–11 PM ET |
| For | International applicants only |
| Processing | Immediate (given over the phone) |
After You Get Your EIN
| Task | When | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Save your EIN confirmation | Immediately | You’ll need it for everything |
| Open a business bank account | Same day or next day | Requires EIN |
| Set up payroll (if hiring) | Before first payroll | Required for employer tax deposits |
| Apply for business licenses | As needed | Some applications require EIN |
| File W-9 forms | When vendors request | Use EIN instead of SSN |
| Set up estimated tax payments | If applicable | Quarterly filings need EIN |
What If You Lose Your EIN
| Solution | Details |
|---|---|
| CP 575 notice | Check your records — IRS mails this after approval |
| Call the IRS | 800-829-4933, Mon–Fri 7 AM–7 PM local time |
| Previous tax returns | Your EIN appears on filed returns |
| Bank records | Your business bank has it on file |
| Old correspondence | Any IRS letters will have your EIN |
You cannot apply for a new EIN if you already have one — the original EIN stays with your business permanently.
When to Get a New EIN
| Situation | New EIN Needed? |
|---|---|
| Changing business name | No |
| Moving to a new state | No |
| Adding members to LLC | No |
| Changing from sole proprietor to LLC | Yes |
| Changing from LLC to corporation | Yes (usually) |
| New owner (sole proprietorship) | Yes |
| Bankruptcy (partnership or corporation) | Yes |
| Partnership changes composition | Depends (50%+ change = yes) |
| Incorporated a sole proprietorship | Yes |
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | How to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Paying a third party | Always apply free at irs.gov |
| Applying on weekends | Online system is Mon–Fri only |
| Wrong entity type | Match exactly to your formation documents |
| Using wrong responsible party | Must be individual with valid SSN/ITIN |
| Not saving confirmation | Print/save immediately — CP 575 notice takes weeks |
| Applying for multiple EINs | One per entity — don’t apply twice for the same business |
EIN Scams to Avoid
| Red Flag | Details |
|---|---|
| “EIN filing service” charging $50–$200 | The IRS provides EINs for free |
| Websites that look like irs.gov | Only use irs.gov — not irs.com, irs.org, or similar |
| Unsolicited calls about your EIN | The IRS doesn’t initiate contact by phone for EINs |
| “Expedited EIN” services | Online EIN is already instant — there’s nothing to expedite |
| Third-party “IRS forms” | Always download forms directly from irs.gov |
Bottom Line
Getting an EIN takes 5 minutes, costs nothing, and should be one of your first steps after forming a business. Apply at irs.gov during business hours (Mon–Fri, 7 AM–10 PM ET) and you’ll receive your number immediately. Never pay anyone to file an EIN application — it’s one of the few completely free government processes.
Related: How to Form an LLC | How to Start a Business | Business License Guide | Registered Agent Explained
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