How to Get an EIN Number: Free Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your business's Social Security number. You need it to open a business bank account, hire employees, file business taxes, and apply for business credit. The IRS issues them free in about 10 minutes online.

Do not pay a third-party service $50-300 for something the IRS gives away. Here is exactly how to get yours.

What Is an EIN and Do You Need One?

An EIN is a 9-digit federal tax ID (format: XX-XXXXXXX) that identifies your business to the IRS.

You MUST have an EIN if you:

• Have employees (W-2)
• Operate as a corporation or partnership
• File employment, excise, or alcohol/tobacco/firearms taxes
• Have a Keogh retirement plan
• Are involved with trusts, estates, nonprofits, or farmers' cooperatives

You SHOULD get an EIN even if not required when you:

• Want to open a business bank account (nearly all banks require one)
• Want to keep your SSN off W-9 forms and client paperwork
• Plan to apply for business credit or loans
• Form an LLC (even single-member)

Sole proprietors with no employees are the only ones who can legally skip it — but getting one anyway protects your SSN from identity theft on every client form.

How to Apply: The Free IRS Online Method

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

The online application works if:

• Your principal business is located in the US or US territories
• You have a valid SSN, ITIN, or existing EIN as the "responsible party"
• You have not already received an EIN for this entity

Step 2: Go to the Official IRS EIN Application

Use only irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online. Any site charging a fee is a third-party middleman — legal but pointless.

The online tool operates Monday-Friday, 7am-10pm ET.

Step 3: Complete the Application

You will answer questions about:

• Entity type: LLC, corporation, partnership, sole proprietor, nonprofit, estate, trust
• Reason for applying: Started new business, hired employees, banking purposes, changed organization type
• Responsible party: The person who controls the entity — name, SSN/ITIN
• Business details: Legal name, DBA, address, start date
• Activity: What the business does, expected employees, first payroll date

Step 4: Submit and Receive Instantly

Online applications get the EIN immediately on screen. Download and save the confirmation letter (CP 575) — the IRS does not reissue it online.

Other Application Methods

Method	Time	How
Online	Instant	IRS EIN Assistant (recommended)
Fax	4 business days	Fax Form SS-4 to 855-641-6935
Mail	4-5 weeks	Mail Form SS-4 to IRS, Cincinnati, OH
Phone (international)	Same call	267-941-1099 for applicants outside the US

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Paying for a "free" service

Third-party sites rank on Google for "get EIN" and charge $50-300 to fill the same free form. The IRS never charges for an EIN.

Getting a new EIN when you do not need one

You do NOT need a new EIN for: a business name change, a location change, or adding a DBA. You DO need a new one for: changing entity type (LLC to corporation), incorporating a sole proprietorship, or dissolving and reforming a partnership.

Using the wrong responsible party

The responsible party must be a real person with an SSN/ITIN — not another business entity (except for government entities). This is usually the owner or principal officer.

What to Do After You Get Your EIN

1. Save the CP 575 letter — banks and lenders will ask for it
2. Open a business bank account — bring EIN, formation documents, and ID
3. Register for state taxes — most states require separate state tax IDs for sales tax and employer withholding
4. Set up payroll if hiring — your EIN registers you for federal employment taxes
5. Update business licenses — some jurisdictions want your EIN on file

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an EIN really free?

Yes. The IRS charges nothing. Any site charging a fee is a filing service, not the IRS.

How long does it take to get an EIN?

Online: instant. Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: 4-5 weeks. International applicants can call for same-day issuance.

Can I look up a lost EIN?

Yes. Check your CP 575 letter, old tax returns, or your business bank. If all else fails, call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 — they will verify your identity and disclose it.

Does an EIN expire?

No. An EIN is permanent once issued. It cannot be canceled, but you can deactivate it by writing to the IRS if the business closes.

Can a single-member LLC use the owner's SSN instead?

For federal taxes, yes — a single-member LLC is a "disregarded entity." But banks still require an EIN for a business account, and using your SSN on W-9s exposes it to every client. Get the EIN.

Do I need an EIN before forming an LLC?

No — form the LLC first, then apply for the EIN using the LLC's legal name. Applying before formation can create mismatched records.

Bottom Line

Getting an EIN takes 10 minutes and costs $0 at irs.gov. Do it right after forming your business entity, save the confirmation letter, and use it to open your business bank account. Never pay a middleman for a free government service.