How to Get an EIN
Your EIN is free and takes 15 minutes at IRS.gov. Here is every step, with screenshots, prerequisites, and what to do after you get your number.
In This Article
- Your EIN is completely free at IRS.gov and takes about 15 minutes to obtain online.
- Form your LLC or corporation with your state before applying for your EIN.
- The IRS online EIN tool runs Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern only.
- Never pay a third-party site $50 to $300 for a service the IRS provides at $0.
Getting an EIN costs $0 and takes roughly 15 minutes through the IRS online application. You need your SSN or ITIN, your legal business name (matching your state filing), and your entity type. The online tool is available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern, and you receive your EIN instantly on screen.
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An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a free, nine-digit tax ID that the IRS assigns to your business. You can get one online at IRS.gov in about 15 minutes with an instant result. Third-party sites charge $50 to $300+ for the exact same free government service, so skip them entirely.
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a nine-digit tax ID the IRS assigns to businesses, nonprofits, estates, and trusts. Think of it as a Social Security Number for your business. The IRS uses it to track your tax filings, payroll reports, and other financial activity.
You need an EIN if you have employees, operate as an LLC with more than one member, run a corporation or partnership, file excise tax returns, or want to open a business bank account. Even sole proprietors who do not technically need one often get an EIN to keep their SSN off W-9 forms and invoices.
The legal form behind the EIN is Form SS-4. When you use the online application, the IRS fills out Form SS-4 for you behind the scenes. You never have to touch the paper form unless you apply by fax or mail.
Before you click "Begin Application" on the IRS site, run through this prerequisites checklist. Missing any item will force you to start the application over (the session times out after 15 minutes of inactivity).
- Entity formed with your state. Your LLC, corporation, or nonprofit must already be registered with your Secretary of State. If you have not done this yet, check our guide to business entity types to pick the right structure first.
- Legal business name. Copy it exactly from your Articles of Organization or Incorporation. The IRS only accepts letters (A-Z), numbers (0-9), hyphens (-), and ampersands (&). Spell out or drop any other symbols.
- SSN or ITIN of the responsible party. The responsible party is the person who controls or manages the entity. A nominee (like a hired agent) cannot apply.
- Physical business address. You need both a mailing address and a physical street address. The street address field does not accept P.O. Boxes, and addresses are capped at 35 characters.
- Entity type. Know whether you are an LLC, S Corp, C Corp, sole proprietor, partnership, estate, trust, or nonprofit.
- Number of LLC members (if applying as an LLC).
- Date business was started or acquired.
- Primary business activity. For example, "consulting," "retail sales," or "construction."
If you are an international applicant without a U.S. address, you cannot use the online tool. Call the IRS at 267-941-1099 (not toll-free), Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern, or submit Form SS-4 by fax or mail.
Step-by-Step Process
- 1
Form Your Business Entity with Your State First
Before you open the IRS EIN application, your LLC, corporation, or partnership must already be legally formed with your state's Secretary of State. The IRS checks this information, and applying before your entity is officially registered can delay or block your application.
If you are a sole proprietor with no employees, you can skip state formation and go straight to the EIN application. But LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and nonprofits need their Articles of Organization (or Incorporation) filed and approved first. Processing times vary by state (same-day in Texas and Wyoming; 5 to 10 business days in New York and California).
$0 (state filing fees already paid during formation) Same day to 10 business days depending on state SBA.govTips
- Have your state-approved formation documents in front of you so you can copy the exact legal name.
- If you need to register your business name, see our guide on <a href='/start/how-to-choose-a-business-name'>how to choose a business name</a>.
Common Mistakes
- Applying for an EIN before your LLC or corporation is approved by the state, causing IRS rejection.
- Using a trade name or DBA instead of your legal entity name from your Articles of Organization.
- 2
Gather Your Required Information
The IRS online application cannot be saved partway through. It times out after 15 minutes of inactivity, forcing you to start over. Have everything ready before you begin.
You will need your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for the responsible party, your entity's legal name (exactly as filed with the state), your physical business address (not a P.O. Box for the street address field), the date your business was started or acquired, your entity type (LLC, corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, nonprofit), and the number of LLC members if applicable.
Tips
- The responsible party must be a real person (not another company) who controls or manages the entity.
- The IRS only accepts letters A-Z, numbers 0-9, hyphens, and ampersands in business names. Spell out or remove symbols like periods and apostrophes.
- If you have an LLC <a href='/start/llc-operating-agreement'>operating agreement</a>, check it for the correct responsible party designation.
Common Mistakes
- Not having your SSN or ITIN handy, causing the session to time out before you finish.
- Entering a shortened business name instead of the full legal name registered with your state.
- Listing a nominee or accountant as the responsible party instead of the person who actually controls the entity.
- 3
Navigate to the IRS EIN Online Assistant
Go directly to IRS.gov/EIN. This is the only official, free EIN application. The tool is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time only. It is not available on weekends or federal holidays.
Watch the URL carefully. Scam sites use names like "irs-ein-federal-tax-id.com" or "ein-federal-tax-id.com" and charge $79 to $319 for the same free form. If the URL does not end in .gov, close the tab.
Tips
- Bookmark the official IRS page so you never accidentally land on a paid impostor site.
- Use a stable internet connection to avoid session drops midway through the application.
Common Mistakes
- Clicking a Google Ad for a third-party EIN service that charges $50 to $319 for a free government form.
- Trying to access the tool on a weekend or after 10 p.m. Eastern, when the system is offline.
- 4
Complete the Online Application
Click "Begin Application" and select your entity type (LLC, corporation, sole proprietor, partnership, estate, trust, nonprofit, or other). For LLCs, you will also enter the number of members and the state where you filed.
Enter your legal business name, trade name (DBA) if any, the responsible party's name and SSN/ITIN, your mailing and physical addresses, the reason you are applying, your principal business activity, and the expected number of employees in the next 12 months. If you plan zero employees, enter 0. Double-check every field before submitting.
The IRS limits addresses to 35 characters. If your address is longer, abbreviate ("Suite" to "Ste", "Apartment" to "Apt"). You will get a chance to fix your address if the USPS lookup does not match.
Tips
- If you are forming an LLC and want S Corp taxation, complete the EIN application first, then file <a href='/start/how-to-start-an-s-corp'>Form 2553</a> separately.
- Select 'Started new business' as your reason for applying if this is a new entity.
- You can only apply for one EIN per responsible party per day.
Common Mistakes
- Selecting the wrong entity type (for example, choosing 'Corporation' when you are an LLC taxed as a corporation).
- Entering a P.O. Box in the physical address field, which the IRS does not accept there.
- Not matching the business name exactly to your state formation documents, triggering Reference Number 101 errors.
- 5
Receive and Save Your EIN Confirmation (CP 575 Letter)
If your application is approved, the IRS displays your new nine-digit EIN immediately on screen. You can download or print the confirmation notice (known as the CP 575 letter) right away. The IRS also mails a hard copy to your address within 2 to 4 weeks.
Save the confirmation as a PDF and store it somewhere secure. You will need this document to open a business bank account, set up payroll, and file taxes. Some banks require the official CP 575 letter rather than a screenshot, so keep both versions.
Tips
- Print the confirmation immediately. You cannot go back to the IRS site to re-download it.
- Save a digital copy in cloud storage and a printed copy in your business records.
- If you lose your CP 575, call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 (Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time) to verify your EIN.
Common Mistakes
- Closing the browser before downloading or printing the EIN confirmation, then having no record of the number.
- Assuming the mailed CP 575 letter will arrive quickly when it can take up to 4 weeks.
- 6
Complete Your Post-EIN Setup Tasks
Your EIN is active immediately for most purposes. Open a business bank account to separate personal and business finances. If you have employees, enroll in the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) so you can make payroll tax deposits.
If your responsible party, business name, or address ever changes, file Form 8822-B with the IRS. You must report responsible party changes within 60 days. Some banks ask you to wait about 10 business days after receiving your EIN before opening an account, because the IRS database needs time to update.
If you formed an LLC, do not forget to check whether your state requires an annual report, get a registered agent if you have not already, and review any business licenses and permits you may need.
Tips
- Apply for state tax IDs separately if your state requires them (most states with income or sales tax do).
- Update your client contracts and invoices with your new EIN if you are a <a href='/start/llc-for-freelancers'>freelancer with an LLC</a>.
- Keep your EIN confirmation with your operating agreement and formation documents in one secure location.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to report a change of responsible party to the IRS within the 60-day window.
- Trying to open a bank account the same day you receive your EIN before the IRS database syncs.
- Not applying for a separate state tax ID when your state requires one for sales tax or withholding.
The EIN itself costs exactly $0 when you apply directly through IRS.gov. Every method the IRS offers (online, fax, mail, phone for international applicants) is free. There is no government fee attached to the EIN at all.
Third-party websites exploit confusing branding (domain names that look official) to charge you $50 to $319 for filing the same free form. One site charges $319 for "express delivery" of an EIN. The IRS provides instant delivery for $0. If you see a charge on any EIN application page, close the tab and go directly to IRS.gov.
The only scenario where paying a professional makes sense is a complex trust or estate EIN where you are unsure about entity classification. An attorney typically charges $150 to $500 for this work. For a standard LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship, there is zero reason to pay anyone.
Your EIN is active the moment the IRS issues it online. Here is what to do next, in order of priority.
- Open a business bank account. Most banks require your EIN confirmation (CP 575 letter) plus your Articles of Organization. Some banks ask you to wait 10 business days after issuance so the IRS database updates. Compare options in our best business bank accounts guide.
- Set up payroll (if hiring). Register with the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) and your state's payroll tax agency.
- File for S Corp election (if desired). Submit Form 2553 within 75 days of forming your entity if you want your LLC taxed as an S Corp. Learn more in our LLC vs S Corp comparison.
- Get required licenses and permits. Federal, state, and local licenses depend on your industry. See our full business licenses and permits guide.
- Hire a registered agent (if required). Every LLC and corporation needs a registered agent in the state of formation. Costs run $49 to $300 per year if you use a service.
- Keep records current. If your responsible party changes, file Form 8822-B within 60 days.
The online application takes roughly 15 minutes and gives you an EIN immediately on screen. You can use it the same day for most purposes.
Fax applications (Form SS-4 faxed to 855-641-6935) return your EIN in about 4 business days. Mail applications take 4 to 6 weeks. International applicants who call 267-941-1099 receive their EIN over the phone during the call.
After receiving your EIN, the IRS mails a physical confirmation letter (CP 575) within 2 to 4 weeks. Some banks will not open an account until this letter arrives, though many accept the printout from the online application.
Paying a third-party site. The IRS explicitly warns to "beware of websites that charge for an EIN." You never have to pay a fee for an EIN. If you see a price tag, you are on the wrong site.
Applying before your entity is formed. If you submit an EIN application before your LLC or corporation is approved by your state, the IRS may reject the application. Always finish state registration first. One exception: sole proprietors do not need state formation.
Using the wrong business name. Your EIN application name must match the legal name on your state formation documents exactly. If your Articles of Organization say "Smith Consulting LLC" and you type "Smith Consulting," you may trigger an error or create a mismatch that causes problems when you open a bank account or file taxes.
Selecting the wrong entity type. If your LLC elected S Corp taxation, you still select "LLC" on the EIN application (not "S Corporation"). Choosing the wrong type can cause the IRS to assign you incorrect tax filing requirements.
Listing a nominee as the responsible party. The responsible party must be a real individual who controls or manages the entity. Using a registered agent, accountant, or attorney as the responsible party violates IRS rules and can trigger complications.
Submitting duplicate applications. If you do not receive your EIN right away (due to a fax or mail delay), do not file again. The IRS limits issuance to one EIN per responsible party per day, and duplicate applications create conflicting records.
Forgetting to update the IRS after changes. If your responsible party, business name, or address changes, you must file Form 8822-B. Responsible party changes must be reported within 60 days. Failure to update can result in rejected tax filings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
About the Author
Legal & Compliance Analyst
Daniel grew up in the shadow of Silicon Valley but chose the legal route over engineering, working as a paralegal for a corporate law firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions. He realized that early-stage founders were constantly making catastrophic legal mistakes because they couldn't afford a $500/hour attorney, prompting his move to B2B media.
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