How to Get an EIN for Your Business (Free, Straight from the IRS)
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How we wrote this: A summary of IRS pages on employer identification numbers (linked below). It is general information, not tax or legal advice. IRS hours and procedures change, so check the IRS page before you apply.
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a federal tax ID for a business. It's free, and for most U.S. businesses it takes minutes online. The most common mistake is paying a website to get one.
Never pay for an EIN
The IRS online application page is blunt: "Beware of websites that charge for an EIN. You never have to pay a fee for an EIN." Apply directly on irs.gov.
Do you need one?
Per the IRS EIN overview, you need an EIN if you:
- Have employees.
- Pay employment, excise, or alcohol, tobacco and firearms taxes.
- Withhold tax on non-wage income paid to a non-resident alien.
- Operate a partnership, LLC, corporation, tax-exempt organization, estate, most trusts, or certain retirement plans, among other entities on the IRS list.
Even if federal tax rules don't require one, the IRS says you can still get an EIN for banking or state tax purposes.
Before you apply
- Form your entity first. If you're creating an LLC, partnership or corporation, register it with your state before applying. The IRS warns that applying first may delay your EIN. Our guide to choosing a business structure covers that decision.
- Know your responsible party. The application names the person who controls the entity and its assets, with their SSN, ITIN or EIN. The IRS says nominees aren't authorized to apply.
Apply online: how the tool works
Per the IRS application page:
| Detail | What the IRS says |
|---|---|
| Who can use it | Organizations formed in the U.S. or its territories, with a principal place of business there, applied for by the responsible party (or an authorized representative) who has an SSN or ITIN |
| Session | Finish in one session; it can't be saved and expires after 15 minutes of inactivity |
| Hours (Eastern Time) | Mon–Fri 6 a.m.–1 a.m. (next day); Sat 6 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sun 6 p.m.–midnight |
| Limit | One EIN per responsible party per day |
| Result | If approved, the EIN is issued immediately. Print the confirmation letter. |
If you can't apply online, the IRS lists other ways to apply, including Form SS-4 by fax or mail. By fax, the IRS says it faxes the EIN back in about four business days. By mail it takes about four weeks.
Using your new EIN
The IRS says you can use the EIN right away to open a bank account, apply for business licenses or file a return by mail. Allow up to two weeks before using it to e-file a return, pay electronically, or pass the IRS TIN matching program.
When you need a new one, and when you don't
- New EIN: generally when the entity's ownership or structure changes.
- No new EIN: for a change of business name, address or responsible party. Report changes of address or responsible party on Form 8822-B.
- Lost it? The IRS suggests checking your approval notice, your bank, your state license agencies and past returns. Its Business and Specialty Tax Line can also help.
Keep the confirmation letter with your permanent records. See how long to keep business records. With an EIN in hand, see our guide to estimated quarterly taxes for the next IRS deadline most new businesses face.