Do you actually need an EIN?
You need an EIN if any of the following are true:
- You have an LLC, Corporation, or Partnership
- You hire employees
- You want to open a business bank account
- You want to build business credit
- You sell products and need a sales tax permit
How to get your EIN online (the free way)
The official IRS application takes about 10 minutes if you have your info ready.
1. Have your info ready
Your legal name, SSN or ITIN, business name, business address, and date your business started.
2. Go to irs.gov/EIN
Use the official IRS site. The application is open Mon–Fri, 7am–10pm ET.
3. Choose your entity type
LLC, Sole Proprietor, Corporation, etc. Be honest — this affects your tax filing.
4. Complete the application in one sitting
The IRS doesn't save your progress. Plan to finish in one go.
5. Download your EIN confirmation letter (CP 575)
You'll get this immediately — save it. You'll need it to open a bank account.
Want optional setup services?
Done-for-you technical setup is available as a separate service.
What if you don't have an SSN or ITIN?
Non-U.S. founders and immigrants can still get an EIN. You can't use the online application, but you can apply by fax or mail using Form SS-4.
- Fax SS-4 to the IRS — typically takes 4 business days
- Mail SS-4 — typically takes 4–5 weeks
- International applicants can call the IRS at +1 267-941-1099
EIN vs SSN vs ITIN vs UEI vs D-U-N-S
New owners routinely confuse these five identifiers. They come from different issuers and do different jobs, and you may eventually need several of them.
EIN (Employer Identification Number)
Issued free by the IRS. Identifies your business for federal taxes, payroll, business banking, and vendor credit. Nine digits, formatted 12-3456789.
SSN (Social Security Number)
Issued by the Social Security Administration to you personally. A sole proprietor with no employees can legally use an SSN, but doing so exposes it on every W-9 and vendor form.
ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)
Issued by the IRS to individuals who owe U.S. tax but aren't eligible for an SSN. It's a personal tax ID, not a business one — it does not replace an EIN.
UEI (Unique Entity ID)
Issued through SAM.gov. Required to apply for federal grants and federal contracts. It replaced the old DUNS requirement for federal registration.
D-U-N-S Number
Issued free by Dun & Bradstreet. Used by vendors and lenders to look up your business credit file — separate from anything the IRS or SAM.gov issues.
Want optional setup services?
Done-for-you technical setup is available as a separate service.
What you can do once you have an EIN
The EIN is the key that unlocks most of the operating infrastructure of a real business.
- Open a business bank account and a business credit card in the entity's name
- Hire employees and run payroll, including federal withholding deposits
- File business tax returns and issue or receive 1099s and W-9s
- Open net-30 vendor accounts that report to business credit bureaus
- Apply for business licenses, permits, and a state sales tax permit
- Register on SAM.gov for a UEI when pursuing federal grants or contracts
- Keep your SSN off client and vendor paperwork
When you need a new EIN
An EIN generally stays with the business for life, but certain structural changes require a new one. The IRS publishes the full list under 'Do You Need a New EIN?'
- You incorporate an existing sole proprietorship or partnership
- A sole proprietorship becomes a partnership, or a partnership becomes a sole proprietorship
- You buy or inherit an existing business and operate it as a sole proprietorship
- Your business goes through bankruptcy proceedings as a new entity
- You generally do NOT need a new EIN for a name change, an address change, or opening additional locations
Want optional setup services?
Done-for-you technical setup is available as a separate service.
How to recover a lost EIN
If you can't find your CP 575 confirmation letter, you don't need to reapply.
- Check prior business tax returns — the EIN appears on the first page
- Check your business bank account opening documents or old vendor applications
- Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933; an authorized person can request a replacement 147C letter
- Never file a second application — duplicate EINs create filing problems that take months to unwind
Common EIN mistakes to avoid
Get this wrong and you'll have to start over.
- Applying before forming your LLC (the IRS will reject if your entity isn't approved)
- Using the wrong responsible party — must be the actual owner
- Applying multiple times for the same business — pick one
- Paying a third-party site for an EIN — it's always free from the IRS
- Entering an entity type that doesn't match your state filing, which mismatches your tax obligations