An employer identification number (EIN) is like a Social Security number (SSN) for a business. The IRS assigns an EIN — also known as a federal tax ID number — to any business that is eligible. EINs aren't always necessary, but we'll walk you through why having one can benefit your business and how to do an EIN lookup when you can’t find yours. Show What is an EIN?An EIN serves as a unique identifier for your company. It’s used mainly for tax purposes. The IRS requires an EIN for any registered business with employees, corporations, partnerships, and businesses that file employment, excise, or alcohol, tobacco and firearms tax returns. Your EIN serves as the primary ID of a business to the government. It's also commonly referred to as a "tax identification number (TIN)" or "federal tax ID number." You might use it to:
How to get an EINApplying for an EIN is easy; it can be done online within minutes on the IRS website or by faxing or mailing a completed Form SS-4 to the IRS. We recommend that businesses apply for an EIN as soon as possible because it’s crucial for basic business functions. You don't need an EIN if you are a sole proprietor with no employees, but if you're looking to scale your business, having an EIN early on is beneficial. Applying for an EIN online is fastest, but you also have these options if you’re based in a U.S. state or the District of Columbia:
If you're an international applicant and don't have a legal residence or place of business in the U.S., you can apply for an EIN by one of these methods:
If you call to request an EIN, fill out an SS-4 form ahead of time to have your answers prepared for the questions the agent will ask. If you're filing via fax or mail, complete Form SS-4 and mail or fax it to the IRS. These methods take much longer than applying online — while faxing can result in an EIN within four business days, mailed applications can take at least four weeks to process. Once you receive your EIN, make sure to keep it somewhere safe. It's unlikely that you’ll use an EIN as frequently as something like an SSN, so it's easy to forget. However, since your EIN is your business's tax ID, you’ll need it handy when dealing with taxes and applying for certain financial accounts or business licenses. Does my business need an EIN?Businesses of all types are able to apply for an EIN. However, the IRS requires certain businesses to have one. If you answer yes to any of the following, you'll need an EIN:
Even if your business is a sole proprietorship or single-member LLC with no employees, it’s still beneficial to get an EIN. It makes it easier to keep your personal and business taxes separate, and it may be required to open a business bank account or apply for business licenses. If you don't have an EIN, you'll need to use your SSN for various tax documents. Keep in mind that those with an SSN, individual tax identification number (ITIN), or an existing EIN may apply for an EIN. Does my business need to reapply for a new EIN?Sometimes, your business may need to reapply for a new EIN. The IRS requires you to reapply for one rather than amending your business's existing EIN. According to the IRS, here are the most common reasons:
If your circumstances require you to reapply for an EIN, the application process is the same as if you’re applying for one for the first time. How do I find my EIN?If you’ve forgotten your EIN, there are a few ways to do an EIN lookup: Contact the IRS to find your EINIf you can't find your EIN on any of your documents, you can contact the IRS at 800-829-4933, but you'll need to call them Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. local time. If your EIN changed recently and isn’t on older documents, this should be your first option. Be sure that the person contacting the IRS is authorized to do so. Authorized people generally include the sole proprietor, a partner in a partnership or a corporate officer. Check anywhere your EIN could be recordedDoing an EIN lookup or tax ID number lookup should be simple since it should be on many essential documents. Here are a few places your EIN might appear:
Performing an employer identification number lookup isn’t difficult; you don’t need to hire a service to find your EIN on your behalf. How to find an EIN for a businessThe nature of your business may require that you regularly look up EINs of other companies, or you may want to look up another business's EIN to validate their information. If the company is publicly traded and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), you can use the SEC's EDGAR system to look up such a company's EIN for free. You can do an EIN lookup for nonprofit organizations on Guidestar. If a company is not registered with the SEC, it will be more difficult since there’s no central EIN database for these companies. Here are a few strategies you can use:
How to cancel an EINIf you apply for an EIN and realize you don’t need it or close your business, you can close your business account with the IRS. How you close your account depends on whether you’ve ever used the EIN to file tax returns or not. If you never used the EIN, send a letter to the IRS that includes the complete legal name of your business, your EIN, business address, and the reason you need to close your account. Send your letter to Internal Revenue Service, Cincinnati, OH 45999. You may want to send the letter certified return receipt so you have confirmation that the IRS received it. If you’ve filed an income tax return using the EIN, you need to file a final return before the IRS can close your account. Business tax returns, including Form 1065, Form 1120-S, and Form 1120, include a checkbox to mark the return as final. You need to file a final return even if you didn’t have any revenues or expenses during your last year in business. Once the IRS assigns an EIN, it will never assign it to another business entity, even after closing your business account. It remains the permanent federal identification number for that business, and you can reopen your account and reuse the EIN for that same business later if needed. |