How to Look Up Your EIN Number
Lost or forgot your EIN number? Here are the fastest ways to find your Employer Identification Number — from old tax returns to calling the IRS directly.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Introduction
If you've lost or forgotten your Employer Identification Number (EIN), you don't need to apply for a new one. Your EIN is permanent — it's already on file with the IRS. You can find it on old tax returns, IRS correspondence, or by calling the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933.
What an EIN is and why you need it
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a 9-digit tax ID the IRS assigns to your business — formatted as XX-XXXXXXX. It works like a Social Security number for your business: you use it to file taxes, open a business bank account, hire employees, and apply for business credit.
Once the IRS assigns an EIN to your business, it's yours permanently. The number doesn't expire and doesn't change unless your business structure changes in a way that requires a new one — things like incorporating a sole proprietorship or changing from a partnership to a corporation. Forgetting it doesn't mean you've lost it.
Where to find your EIN number
Your EIN appears on several documents you've already received. Check these places first before calling the IRS — most business owners find it in under five minutes once they know where to look.
- Your IRS CP 575 notice — the confirmation letter the IRS mailed when your EIN was first issued. It's the most reliable source.
- Federal tax returns — your EIN appears on Form 1040 Schedule C (sole proprietors), Form 1065 (partnerships), Form 1120 (C Corps), and Form 1120S (S Corps), typically in the top section of the first page.
- IRS tax transcripts — request a Wage and Income Transcript or Account Transcript through the IRS Get Transcript Online tool at irs.gov.
- Bank account documents — most banks require your EIN when you open a business checking account, so it's often on your account application or opening paperwork.
- Previous payroll records or W-2s — if you've ever run payroll, your EIN is on every W-2 you issued.
- State business filings — some states include your EIN on formation documents or annual report confirmations.
How to get your EIN if you can't find it anywhere
If you've checked your tax returns and documents and still can't find your EIN, call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 7 AM – 7 PM local time. They can confirm your EIN after verifying your identity as an authorized person for the business.
When you call, have your business name, address, and your own identifying information ready. The IRS will ask questions to confirm you're authorized to receive the EIN — typically your name, Social Security number, and your role in the business. This step catches people off guard if they're not prepared, but it's straightforward once you have the right information in front of you.
If your business is a publicly traded corporation or a registered nonprofit, there's another route. Corporations that file with the SEC have EINs visible in their public filings through the SEC EDGAR database. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status can be looked up through the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool, which displays the EIN in the search results.
FAQ
No. Your EIN is permanent and stays assigned to your business. You don't need to apply for a new one just because you can't find it. Check your old tax returns, your IRS CP 575 notice, or your bank account opening documents first. If you still can't find it, call the IRS at 800-829-4933 and they'll confirm it after verifying your identity.
Yes. Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933, Monday through Friday, 7 AM – 7 PM local time. A representative will verify your identity — your name, Social Security number, and your role in the business — and then confirm your EIN. Have your business name and address ready before you call to make the process faster.
Your EIN appears near the top of the first page of your federal business tax return. On Form 1120 (C Corp) and Form 1120S (S Corp), it's in the header section. On Form 1065 (partnership), it's also in the top section. Sole proprietors using Schedule C will find it on the Schedule C itself, not the main Form 1040.
It depends on your business type. The IRS doesn't offer a public EIN lookup tool for private businesses. But you can request your own tax transcripts for free through the IRS Get Transcript Online tool at irs.gov, which will show your EIN. Nonprofits can be looked up through the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Publicly traded corporations have EINs visible in SEC EDGAR filings.
Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. After verifying your identity, a representative can confirm whether your EIN is active and associated with your business. EINs don't expire, but they can become inactive if the IRS has no filing history tied to them. If you've never filed a return under the EIN, it may show as dormant.
You need a new EIN when your business structure changes in a way the IRS treats as a new entity — things like incorporating a sole proprietorship, changing from a sole proprietorship to a partnership, or forming a new corporation after a merger. Simply changing your business name or address doesn't require a new EIN. If you're not sure whether your situation qualifies, a tax professional can help you figure it out.
