What Is an EIN?
An Employer Identification Number is essentially a Social Security Number for your business. Here's everything you need to know about getting one.
What Is an EIN and Why Do You Need One?
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify your business entity for tax purposes. It follows the format XX-XXXXXXX and is sometimes called a Federal Tax Identification Number or Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN).
Your EIN is used for virtually every financial and regulatory function of your business:
- Opening a business bank account — banks require an EIN to open accounts in your LLC's or corporation's name
- Filing federal and state tax returns — your EIN identifies your business on all tax filings
- Hiring employees — required for payroll tax reporting and W-2 issuance
- Applying for business licenses and permits — state and local agencies use your EIN for identification
- Establishing business credit — your EIN is tied to your business credit profile at Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax
- Completing W-9 forms — vendors and clients need your EIN for 1099 reporting
Without an EIN, you would need to use your personal Social Security Number for all business transactions — exposing yourself to identity theft risk and making it harder to separate personal and business finances.
Who Needs an EIN?
The short answer: almost every business entity. Here's who the IRS requires to have an EIN:
Required
- LLCs (single-member and multi-member)
- Corporations (C-corp and S-corp)
- Partnerships
- Nonprofits
- Any business with employees
Recommended
- Sole proprietors wanting to protect their SSN
- Freelancers who receive 1099 income
- Real estate investors holding properties in LLCs
- Anyone opening a business bank account
How to Get an EIN
The IRS issues EINs through Form SS-4 (Application for Employer Identification Number). There are three ways to apply:
Online (IRS Website)
FastestAvailable at irs.gov, Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 10 PM Eastern Time. You receive your EIN immediately upon completion. The application must be completed in a single session — you cannot save and return. The responsible party must have a valid SSN or ITIN.
Processing time: Immediate
Fax
Complete Form SS-4 and fax it to the appropriate IRS campus. Domestic applicants fax to (855) 641-6935. The IRS will fax your EIN back to you. This is the only option for applicants who cannot use the online system but need their EIN relatively quickly.
Processing time: 4 business days
Complete Form SS-4 and mail it to the appropriate IRS campus. The IRS will mail your EIN assignment letter back to you. This is the slowest method and is generally only used when online and fax are not available.
Processing time: 4-6 weeks
We handle IRS Form SS-4 so you don't have to.
EIN vs SSN vs ITIN
These three numbers are all issued for tax identification purposes, but they serve different roles. Here's how they compare:
| EIN | SSN | ITIN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Employer Identification Number | Social Security Number | Individual Taxpayer Identification Number |
| Issued By | IRS | Social Security Administration | IRS |
| Identifies | Business entities | US citizens & permanent residents | Individuals not eligible for SSN |
| Format | XX-XXXXXXX | XXX-XX-XXXX | 9XX-XX-XXXX |
| Used For | Business taxes, banking, hiring | Personal taxes, employment, credit | Tax filing for non-residents |
| Cost | Free from IRS | Free | Free |
Common Mistakes When Applying for an EIN
The IRS Form SS-4 is straightforward, but mistakes are common — especially for first-time business owners. These errors can cause delays, require calling the IRS, or result in an EIN assigned to the wrong entity type.
Selecting the Wrong Entity Type
The IRS application asks you to select your entity type (LLC, corporation, partnership, etc.). If you select "sole proprietor" when you've formed an LLC, your EIN will be assigned to you personally — not your LLC. This creates tax filing complications and may require applying for a new EIN. Always match your entity type to what's on your formation documents.
Incorrect Responsible Party
The "responsible party" on Form SS-4 must be an individual (not an entity) who controls, manages, or directs the entity and its funds. For a single-member LLC, this is the sole member. For a multi-member LLC, this is typically the managing member. The responsible party's SSN or ITIN must match IRS records exactly — any discrepancy will cause a rejection.
Applying Before Your Entity Is Formed
Your LLC or corporation must be officially formed (articles of organization filed and accepted by the state) before you apply for an EIN. The IRS requires your legal entity name exactly as it appears on your formation documents. If you apply before your entity exists, you may receive an EIN that doesn't match your filed entity name. See our LLC formation guide to complete this step first.
Not Saving the Confirmation
When you apply online, the IRS displays your EIN on the final confirmation screen and offers to generate a PDF. If you close this page without saving, you'll need to call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at (800) 829-4933 to retrieve your EIN. The IRS mails a confirmation letter (CP 575) 4-6 weeks later, but many people need their EIN sooner than that.
GeauxFile EIN Application Service
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Related Resources
You need your LLC formed before you apply for an EIN. Here's the full step-by-step process.
Every LLC needs a registered agent. Learn what they do and why a professional service beats doing it yourself.
Once your LLC is active, stay in good standing with state-required annual filings. We handle it for $49.
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