How to Get an EIN for Your LLC
Free, Online, in 10 Minutes
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your LLC’s federal tax ID — required for opening a business bank account, hiring employees, and filing taxes. The IRS issues EINs for free online in minutes. Here’s exactly how to apply.
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Apply online at IRS.gov — it’s free and takes about 10 minutes. Go to the IRS EIN Assistant at irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online, select “Limited Liability Company” as your entity type, answer the questions, and your EIN is issued immediately. You can download and print your EIN confirmation letter (CP 575) right away. The IRS online application is available Monday–Friday, 7 AM–10 PM ET.
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What is an EIN?
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) — also called a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Federal Tax Identification Number — is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify your business for tax purposes. It’s formatted as XX-XXXXXXX (e.g., 12-3456789).
Think of an EIN as a Social Security Number for your business. Just as your SSN identifies you as an individual taxpayer, your EIN identifies your LLC as a business entity for federal tax purposes.
“An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, and is used to identify a business entity.” — IRS.gov
Does My LLC Need an EIN?
Whether your LLC needs an EIN depends on your situation:
EIN Required If:
- Your LLC has more than one member (multi-member LLC)
- Your LLC has employees (or plans to hire employees)
- Your LLC has elected S Corporation or C Corporation tax status
- Your LLC is involved in certain types of businesses (trusts, estates, non-profits, etc.)
- You want to open a business bank account (most banks require an EIN)
- You want to apply for business credit
EIN Optional (But Recommended) If:
- You have a single-member LLC with no employees
- You file taxes using your Social Security Number
Even if your single-member LLC doesn’t technically require an EIN, we strongly recommend getting one. Using an EIN instead of your SSN on business documents protects your SSN from identity theft, looks more professional, and is required if you ever plan to hire employees, elect S Corp status, or open a business bank account.
What You Need to Apply for an EIN
Before starting the IRS online application, gather the following information:
- Your SSN or ITIN: The “responsible party” (typically the LLC owner) must provide their Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
- LLC legal name: The exact name as it appears on your Articles of Organization.
- Trade name (DBA): If your LLC operates under a different name, have it ready.
- State of formation: The state where you filed your Articles of Organization.
- Principal business address: Your LLC’s main business address (can be your home address).
- Start date: The date your LLC was formed or the date you started doing business.
- Business purpose: A brief description of what your LLC does.
- Number of employees: Expected number of employees in the next 12 months (can be 0).
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for an EIN Online
Step 1: Go to the IRS EIN Assistant
Navigate to IRS.gov EIN Online Application. The application is available Monday–Friday, 7 AM–10 PM Eastern Time. Click “Apply Online Now.”
Step 2: Select Your Entity Type
Choose “Limited Liability Company (LLC)” from the list of entity types. Then select the number of members (1 for single-member, 2+ for multi-member).
Step 3: Select Your Reason for Applying
Choose the reason that best describes why you’re applying: “Started a new business,” “Banking purpose,” “Changed type of organization,” etc. For most new LLCs, select “Started a new business.”
Step 4: Enter Your LLC Information
Fill in your LLC’s legal name, trade name (if applicable), state of formation, principal business address, and start date.
Step 5: Enter the Responsible Party Information
Enter the name and SSN/ITIN of the LLC’s “responsible party” — the person who controls, manages, or directs the LLC. For most single-member LLCs, this is the owner.
Step 6: Review and Submit
Review all information for accuracy, then submit the application. The IRS will issue your EIN immediately upon successful submission.
Step 7: Save Your EIN Confirmation
Download and save your EIN confirmation letter (CP 575). This is your official IRS document confirming your EIN. You’ll need it to open bank accounts and for other business purposes.
Many third-party websites charge $50–$300 to apply for an EIN on your behalf. This is completely unnecessary — the IRS issues EINs for free directly at IRS.gov. Never pay for an EIN application service.
What to Do After Getting Your EIN
Once you have your EIN, here are the next steps for your LLC:
- Open a business bank account: Use your EIN and Articles of Organization to open a dedicated business checking account. Never mix personal and business finances.
- Apply for a business credit card: Build business credit separately from your personal credit.
- Register for state taxes: Register with your state’s tax authority for sales tax, payroll tax, or other state-level taxes.
- Set up payroll (if hiring): Register with the IRS for payroll tax deposits if you plan to hire employees.
- Consider S Corp election: If your LLC’s net profit exceeds $40,000–$50,000, discuss an S Corp election with your CPA to reduce self-employment taxes.
Lost Your EIN? How to Find It
If you’ve misplaced your EIN, here are several ways to find it:
- IRS CP 575 letter: The original EIN confirmation letter the IRS sent when you applied.
- Prior tax returns: Your EIN appears on all federal tax returns filed for your LLC.
- Business bank account: Your bank may have your EIN on file from when you opened the account.
- Call the IRS: Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 (Monday–Friday, 7 AM–7 PM local time). They can verify your EIN after confirming your identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. EIN (Employer Identification Number), FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number), and Federal Tax ID Number all refer to the same thing — the nine-digit number the IRS assigns to identify your business for tax purposes.
If you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), you can use it instead of an SSN to apply for an EIN online. If you have neither an SSN nor an ITIN, you must apply by fax (Form SS-4) or mail — the online application requires a U.S. tax ID number.
Generally, no. If you change your LLC’s name but the ownership and structure remain the same, you keep the same EIN. You just need to notify the IRS of the name change by writing a letter or checking the appropriate box on your next tax return. However, if you convert your LLC to a different entity type (like a corporation), you may need a new EIN.
Each legal entity (LLC, corporation, etc.) gets one EIN. If you have multiple LLCs, each one gets its own EIN. The IRS limits online EIN applications to one per responsible party per day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Apply online at IRS.gov/EIN — it’s free and takes about 10 minutes. The online application is available Monday–Friday, 7am–10pm ET. You’ll receive your EIN immediately upon completion. You can also apply by mail (Form SS-4) or fax, but these take 4–6 weeks. The online method is always recommended.
A single-member LLC without employees doesn’t legally need an EIN — you can use your Social Security Number. However, you should get one: it’s required to open a business bank account, is needed if you ever hire employees, protects your SSN from identity theft, and is required for some business licenses and permits. Getting an EIN is free.
Online: immediate (you receive your EIN at the end of the application). Fax: 4 business days. Mail: 4–6 weeks. The online application at IRS.gov is always the fastest method. The IRS online EIN application is available Monday–Friday, 7am–10pm Eastern Time.
You’ll need: (1) LLC name as it appears on your Articles of Organization, (2) LLC’s principal business address, (3) responsible party’s name and SSN/ITIN (the person who controls the LLC), (4) type of entity (LLC), (5) reason for applying, (6) date the LLC was formed, (7) state where the LLC was formed, (8) number of members, and (9) principal business activity.
Yes. Foreign nationals who don’t have a US Social Security Number can apply for an EIN by mail or fax using Form SS-4. You’ll need an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) or can apply without one by writing ‘Foreign’ in the SSN field and including a statement explaining your situation. The IRS also has an international phone line for EIN applications.
Yes. EIN (Employer Identification Number), Federal Tax ID Number, and Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) all refer to the same thing — the 9-digit number the IRS assigns to your business (format: XX-XXXXXXX). It’s used for federal tax filings, business bank accounts, payroll, and business licenses.
Single-member LLCs without employees can use the owner’s SSN for federal tax purposes. However, using an EIN is strongly recommended to: protect your SSN from identity theft, open business bank accounts (most banks require an EIN), build business credit separately from personal credit, and prepare for future employees or business growth.
If you lose your EIN, you can find it on: previous tax returns, IRS confirmation letter (CP 575), business bank account documents, or by calling the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 (Monday–Friday, 7am–7pm local time). The IRS can look up your EIN if you provide your business name, address, and the responsible party’s information.
Generally no. An LLC can change its name without getting a new EIN. You’ll need to notify the IRS of the name change (by checking the ‘name change’ box on your annual tax return or sending a letter to the IRS). You’ll also need to update your business bank accounts, licenses, and contracts. A new EIN is required if you change the LLC’s ownership structure or convert to a different entity type.
Yes. The IRS online EIN application (at IRS.gov/EIN) provides your EIN immediately upon completion. The online application is available Monday through Friday, 7am to 10pm Eastern time. You must have a valid SSN or ITIN to use the online application. The entire process takes about 15 minutes and is completely free.
Yes. Most banks require an EIN to open a business bank account for an LLC. You should get your EIN immediately after forming your LLC and before trying to open a bank account. The EIN application is free and takes about 15 minutes online at IRS.gov. Some online banks like Mercury and Relay may accept an SSN for single-member LLCs, but an EIN is strongly preferred.
After getting your EIN: (1) Save the CP 575 confirmation letter — this is your official EIN documentation, (2) Open a business bank account using your EIN, (3) Use it on all business tax filings, (4) Provide it to vendors who need to issue you a 1099, and (5) Use it on your business license applications and contracts. Never share your EIN publicly or on social media.
Yes. Non-US residents can get an EIN for a US LLC by calling the IRS International line at 267-941-1099 or by submitting Form SS-4 by fax or mail. You do not need to be a US citizen or resident to form a US LLC and get an EIN. Many international entrepreneurs form US LLCs for access to US banking and payment processors like Stripe and PayPal.
A single-member LLC without employees is not required to have an EIN — you can use your SSN. However, getting an EIN is strongly recommended because: (1) most banks require it to open a business account, (2) it protects your SSN from being shared with vendors, and (3) you will need it if you ever hire employees or elect S Corp status. The EIN application is free and takes 15 minutes.
Yes. Applying for an EIN directly through IRS.gov is completely free. Be cautious of third-party websites that charge $50–$300 to apply for an EIN on your behalf — they are simply filling out the same free form for you. Always apply directly at IRS.gov/EIN to get your EIN for free in about 15 minutes.