How to Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number)
An EINEmployer Identification Number — A federal tax ID number for a business, like an SSN for the company. Issued free by the IRS.Click for official info ↗ is your business's Social Security number — free from the IRSInternal Revenue Service — The US federal tax agency. It collects federal income taxes, issues refunds, and administers ITINs.Click for official info ↗ in about 15 minutes. Banks, marketplaces, and payroll all demand one. Here is the real application and the traps to avoid.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official US sources(2025-Latest).
0 of 6 steps
- Before You Go 10 min
Confirm you actually need an EIN
You need one if you: hire employees, operate as an LLCLimited Liability Company — A business structure that protects your personal assets from business debts and lawsuits.Click for official info ↗, partnership, or corporation, open a business bank account, file excise taxes, or withhold taxes for a household employee. Sole proprietors with no employees can use their SSNSocial Security Number — A 9-digit number issued by the Social Security Administration. It is the main US identity number for work, taxes, and credit.Click for official info ↗ — but an EINEmployer Identification Number — A federal tax ID number for a business, like an SSN for the company. Issued free by the IRS.Click for official info ↗ keeps your SSNSocial Security Number — A 9-digit number issued by the Social Security Administration. It is the main US identity number for work, taxes, and credit.Click for official info ↗ off W-9s and reduces identity-theft risk.
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- Before You Go 2 min
Never pay a third-party site
The IRSInternal Revenue Service — The US federal tax agency. It collects federal income taxes, issues refunds, and administers ITINs.Click for official info ↗ issues EINs free. Sites charging $50–$300 for an "EINEmployer Identification Number — A federal tax ID number for a business, like an SSN for the company. Issued free by the IRS.Click for official info ↗ filing service" are submitting the same free form on your behalf. Only use the IRSInternal Revenue Service — The US federal tax agency. It collects federal income taxes, issues refunds, and administers ITINs.Click for official info ↗ application directly — and be suspicious of any site that looks official but is not irs.gov.
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- Go 15 min
Use the online application (weekdays, US hours)
The online EINEmployer Identification Number — A federal tax ID number for a business, like an SSN for the company. Issued free by the IRS.Click for official info ↗ application at irs.gov works Monday–Friday, roughly 7am–10pm Eastern, and must be completed in one session (about 15 minutes — it times out after 15 minutes of inactivity). You get the EINEmployer Identification Number — A federal tax ID number for a business, like an SSN for the company. Issued free by the IRS.Click for official info ↗ immediately at the end. International applicants without an SSNSocial Security Number — A 9-digit number issued by the Social Security Administration. It is the main US identity number for work, taxes, and credit.Click for official info ↗ must instead call 267-941-1099Information Return series — Forms reporting income that is not wages — freelance pay (1099-NEC), interest (1099-INT), dividends (1099-DIV).Click for official info ↗ (not toll-free) 6am–11pm Eastern, or fax/mail Form SS-4.
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- Fill / Prepare 15 min
Answer the SS-4 questions
You will identify the "responsible party" (you, with your SSNSocial Security Number — A 9-digit number issued by the Social Security Administration. It is the main US identity number for work, taxes, and credit.Click for official info ↗/ITINIndividual Taxpayer Identification Number — A tax processing number for people who are not eligible for a Social Security number but must file US taxes.Click for official info ↗), choose your entity type, explain why you are applying (started business, hired employee, banking purpose, etc.), and describe the business activity. Answer honestly — the entity type here affects your tax filings.
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- Receive Same day
Save the CP 575 confirmation
The EINEmployer Identification Number — A federal tax ID number for a business, like an SSN for the company. Issued free by the IRS.Click for official info ↗ appears on screen and on your CP 575 notice (arrives by mail in ~4 weeks). Download and print the on-screen confirmation immediately — the IRSInternal Revenue Service — The US federal tax agency. It collects federal income taxes, issues refunds, and administers ITINs.Click for official info ↗ cannot re-display it, and replacing a lost notice takes weeks. Open your business bank account with it right away.
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- Follow Up —
Use the EIN correctly going forward
Use the EINEmployer Identification Number — A federal tax ID number for a business, like an SSN for the company. Issued free by the IRS.Click for official info ↗ on business bank accounts, W-9s to clients, payroll filings, and business tax returns — but note: for a single-member LLCLimited Liability Company — A business structure that protects your personal assets from business debts and lawsuits.Click for official info ↗ without employees, the IRSInternal Revenue Service — The US federal tax agency. It collects federal income taxes, issues refunds, and administers ITINs.Click for official info ↗ still expects your personal SSNSocial Security Number — A 9-digit number issued by the Social Security Administration. It is the main US identity number for work, taxes, and credit.Click for official info ↗ on your 1040US Individual Income Tax Return — The standard federal income tax form. Variants like 1040-SR (seniors) and schedules attach to it.Click for official info ↗ Schedule C. If you lose the number later, call the Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN?
Yes, but not online. International applicants call 267-941-1099Information Return series — Forms reporting income that is not wages — freelance pay (1099-NEC), interest (1099-INT), dividends (1099-DIV).Click for official info ↗ during US Eastern hours, or fax/mail Form SS-4. Processing by fax takes about a week; mail takes 4–6 weeks. Many founders first get an ITINIndividual Taxpayer Identification Number — A tax processing number for people who are not eligible for a Social Security number but must file US taxes.Click for official info ↗, then apply.
Does an EIN cost anything?
No. It is always free from the IRSInternal Revenue Service — The US federal tax agency. It collects federal income taxes, issues refunds, and administers ITINs.Click for official info ↗. Any website charging for an EINEmployer Identification Number — A federal tax ID number for a business, like an SSN for the company. Issued free by the IRS.Click for official info ↗ is a middleman — the "service" is typing the same free form for you.
Do I need a new EIN if my business changes?
Usually not for a name or address change (just notify the IRSInternal Revenue Service — The US federal tax agency. It collects federal income taxes, issues refunds, and administers ITINs.Click for official info ↗ and your bank). You DO need a new EINEmployer Identification Number — A federal tax ID number for a business, like an SSN for the company. Issued free by the IRS.Click for official info ↗ if you change entity type (sole prop to LLCLimited Liability Company — A business structure that protects your personal assets from business debts and lawsuits.Click for official info ↗, LLCLimited Liability Company — A business structure that protects your personal assets from business debts and lawsuits.Click for official info ↗ to corporation), add partners, or file bankruptcy.
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