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Do I need an EIN? And how to get one free

An Employer Identification Number is your business's tax ID. Some businesses must have one; others choose to. Answer two quick questions to find out which you are.

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Short answer

You must have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) if you have employees, operate as a corporation or partnership, file excise or alcohol, tobacco and firearms returns, or withhold tax on payments to nonresident aliens; trusts, estates and nonprofits need one too. A sole proprietor or single-member LLC with none of those can use the owner's SSN. An EIN is free from the IRS: apply online and you get the number immediately.

  • Online hours (Eastern): Mon–Fri 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., Sat 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sun 6 p.m. to midnight
  • Finish in one session: it can't be saved
  • The online responsible party needs an SSN or ITIN
  • By fax about 4 business days; by mail about 4 weeks

Last reviewed against the IRS Get an EIN page and the Instructions for Form SS-4 (Rev. December 2025).

1. What kind of business are you?
2. Do any of these apply? (tick all that do)

How to get an EIN (it's free)

  1. Settle your business structure first. The EIN is tied to it. Changing from a sole proprietorship to a corporation or partnership later usually means a new number.
  2. Have the details ready: the legal name and address of the business, and the name and SSN or ITIN of the "responsible party", the person who controls the business (the online application needs an SSN or ITIN).
  3. Apply online at IRS.gov. The application is free and you get your EIN the moment you finish. It's available Monday to Friday 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 6 p.m. to midnight (Eastern), and you can't save and come back, so finish it in one session.
  4. Save the confirmation (CP 575). Download it before you close the page. Banks and payers may ask for it, and it's the easiest proof of your number later.

You can also fax or mail Form SS-4 if you can't apply online. By fax you generally get the EIN within 4 business days; by mail, in about 4 weeks. International applicants with no U.S. residence or principal place of business can apply by phone.

Watch out for look-alike sites. Many websites charge a fee to "help" you get an EIN. The IRS doesn't charge anything. Make sure the address bar says irs.gov.

After you have your EIN

  • On W-9s: give your EIN in Part I. If you're a sole proprietor or single-member LLC, line 1 is still your own name. Our W-9 helper shows exactly how.
  • On your own 1099s and W-2s: your EIN goes in the payer or employer box on every form you file.
  • Keep the name consistent. The IRS matches your EIN to the exact legal name you applied with. Use that name on tax filings to avoid mismatches.
  • Lost it? Check your CP 575, old returns or bank records, or ask the IRS for a Letter 147C.

EIN, SSN or ITIN?

An SSN identifies a person and comes from the Social Security Administration. An ITIN is for people who need a tax ID but can't get an SSN. An EIN identifies a business or other entity. All three are nine digits; our TIN format checker explains how to tell them apart.

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Questions

EIN questions

What is an EIN?

An Employer Identification Number is a nine-digit number (written XX-XXXXXXX) that the IRS assigns to businesses and other entities for tax purposes, like a Social Security number for a business. Despite the name, you don't need employees to get one.

How much does an EIN cost?

Nothing. Applying directly with the IRS is free. Websites that charge a fee are third-party services, not the IRS.

How do I get an EIN?

Apply online at IRS.gov during the online application's hours; you get the number as soon as you finish. You can also fax or mail Form SS-4, which takes days to weeks. International applicants with no U.S. residence or principal place of business can apply by phone.

Does a sole proprietor need an EIN?

Not unless you have employees, file excise tax returns or have certain retirement plans. You can use your SSN. Many sole proprietors get a free EIN anyway, so they don't have to give clients their SSN on W-9s.

Does a single-member LLC need an EIN?

Not for income tax if it has no employees and no excise taxes, because it's disregarded and uses the owner's TIN. It does need one for payroll and excise taxes, and banks often ask for one. Even with an EIN, its W-9 uses the owner's name and TIN.

I lost my EIN. How do I find it?

Look at the IRS confirmation notice (CP 575) you got when it was issued, old tax returns, or bank and payroll records. If you can't find it, call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line and ask for a Letter 147C, which confirms your business name and EIN.

Do I need a new EIN if my business changes?

Sometimes. You generally need a new one if you change your business's structure, for example from sole proprietor to corporation or partnership, but not if you only change its name or address.

Is anything I select here sent to EFileForMe?

No. The checker runs in your browser, and nothing is sent anywhere or saved.

Got your EIN and paying contractors?

Collect their W-9s online, check their TINs with the IRS, and e-file your 1099s and W-2s from one account.

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Your data stays with you. This tool runs entirely in your web browser. Nothing you type or paste is sent to EFileForMe or anyone else, and nothing is saved once you leave the page. The information here is general and educational, based on IRS publications as we understand them at the time of writing. It isn't tax, legal or accounting advice, rules change, and results are provided as-is without warranty. Check the current IRS instructions or a qualified tax professional before relying on it.