How to Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Your Business
Learn how to get an EIN for your business in 3 steps. Apply online for free at IRS.gov and get your Employer Identification Number the same day.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Introduction
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a 9-digit tax ID the IRS uses to identify your business — think of it as a Social Security number for your business. You can apply for one free at IRS.gov, and if you apply online, you'll get your EIN the same day.
What is an EIN and do you need one?
An EIN is a federal tax identification number the IRS assigns to businesses. It works the way a Social Security number works for individuals — it identifies your business on tax filings, payroll forms, and financial accounts. Most businesses need one, and getting it early saves headaches later.
You need an EIN if any of the following apply to your business: you have or plan to hire employees, you've formed an LLC or corporation, you want to open a business bank account, you're applying for a business loan or credit card, or you need to file certain federal tax returns. Even if none of those apply today, having an EIN keeps your Social Security number off business documents — which is reason enough for most business owners.
How to get an EIN number: 3 steps
Getting an EIN takes 3 steps: check your eligibility, choose how you want to apply, and submit your application. If you apply online, the whole process takes about 15 minutes and you'll have your EIN before you close the browser tab.
Step 1: Check your eligibility
To apply for an EIN, your business must have its principal place of business in the United States or a U.S. territory, and you must have a valid Taxpayer Identification Number — typically your Social Security number. The IRS also limits applications to 1 EIN per responsible party per day, so if you're forming multiple businesses at once, plan accordingly.
Step 2: Choose your application method
The IRS offers 3 ways to apply: online, by fax, or by mail. Online is the fastest by a wide margin. See the next section for a full breakdown of each method and its processing time.
Step 3: Submit your application and get your EIN
Once you've gathered your business information and chosen a method, submit your application. Online applicants get their EIN immediately after the IRS validates the submission. You can download a PDF confirmation right away — save it somewhere you won't lose it, because retrieving a lost EIN takes time.
How to apply for an EIN online, by mail, or by fax
All 3 application methods use the same underlying form — IRS Form SS-4 — but they differ significantly in how long you'll wait. Online is the only method that gives you your EIN the same day.
Online (fastest — same day)
The IRS EIN online application is available at IRS.gov. The application is available Monday through Friday, 7 AM – 10 PM ET. You must complete it in a single session — the IRS does not save partial applications, and your session will time out after 15 minutes of inactivity. Have your business information ready before you start. After the IRS validates your answers, you can download your EIN confirmation as a PDF immediately.
By fax (about 4 business days)
Fill out Form SS-4 and fax it to the IRS. Processing takes about 4 business days. The IRS will fax your EIN back to the number you provide on the form. You can find the correct fax number for your state on the IRS website under "Where to File Your Taxes (for Form SS-4)."
By mail (up to 4 weeks)
Mail a completed Form SS-4 to the IRS address listed for your state. The IRS estimates a processing time of up to 4 weeks for mailed applications. Delays are more common if the form is incomplete or hard to read. Given that the online method is free and immediate, mail is worth avoiding unless you have a specific reason to use it.
What information you need to apply
The IRS EIN application asks for basic details about you and your business. Having everything ready before you start is the difference between a 15-minute process and a timed-out session you have to restart.
- Your legal business structure (LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship, trust, etc.)
- Your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Your legal name and home address
- Your business name and business address
- Any trade names (DBAs) your business uses
- The date your business was formed or started
- The number of members or owners (for LLCs) or type of corporation
- The reason you're applying — things like hiring employees, banking, or filing taxes
- Whether your business will have employees who receive W-2s
- Your primary business activity and industry
The application also asks a few industry-specific questions — for example, whether your business sells alcohol, tobacco, or firearms, or whether you'll file a Form 720 (Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return). Most small businesses can answer "no" to all of those. If you're unsure about any question, a tax professional can help you figure out the right answer before you submit.
How much does an EIN cost?
Getting an EIN directly from the IRS is free. The IRS does not charge a filing fee for any application method — online, fax, or mail. No payment information is required at any point in the process.
If you'd rather have someone handle it for you, we offer EIN filing as part of our business formation packages. It's worth considering if you're forming an LLC at the same time — getting both done together means your EIN is ready the moment your business is official, with no extra steps on your end.
FAQ
Apply online at IRS.gov using the IRS EIN application. It's free, takes about 15 minutes, and you'll get your EIN the same day. The online application is available Monday through Friday, 7 AM – 10 PM ET. You must complete it in one session — the IRS doesn't save partial applications. You can also apply by faxing Form SS-4 (about 4 business days) or by mailing Form SS-4 (up to 4 weeks).
Yes. The IRS does not charge a fee to apply for an EIN, regardless of which method you use. Online, fax, and mail applications are all free. No payment information is required at any point. Some business formation platforms charge a fee to file on your behalf — that's a service fee, not an IRS fee.
Generally, yes. The IRS requires that you have a valid business purpose and an existing or newly formed business entity before applying. You don't need to be generating revenue, but you do need a real business structure — sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, or another recognized entity type. If you're forming an LLC, you can apply for your EIN as soon as your formation is complete.
It depends. Sole proprietors with no employees aren't required to have an EIN — you can use your Social Security number for federal tax purposes. But an EIN keeps your Social Security number off business documents, which most business owners prefer. You'll also need an EIN to open a business bank account at many banks, apply for business credit, or pay contractors who require a W-9.
Apply through the IRS EIN online application at IRS.gov after your LLC formation is complete. The process is the same as for any other business structure — you'll select "Limited Liability Company" as your entity type and enter the number of members. Single-member LLCs and multi-member LLCs both apply the same way. You'll get your EIN immediately if you apply online.
It depends on your business type. For nonprofits, EINs appear on publicly filed Form 990s and are searchable. For most for-profit businesses, the EIN is not published in a public database — but it does appear on documents you share with vendors, contractors, and financial institutions. Treat your EIN with the same care you'd give any sensitive business identifier.
Apply directly through the IRS at IRS.gov — the process is the same whether your business is brand new or has been running for years. If you've had an EIN before and lost it, check your original IRS confirmation letter, prior tax returns, or any bank account documents where you provided it. You can also call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 to retrieve a lost EIN.
