Instant EIN Search

Generally, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) assigns each business operating in the United States a unique nine-digit Employer Identification Number (EIN). The EIN is a tax identification number, like a social security number (SSN), but it is for businesses rather than individuals. Business entities need an EIN to pay their employees, open financial accounts, obtain business licenses, and file taxes. They also serve as a way for the IRS to ensure compliance with Federal tax laws.

Although not every business is required to have an EIN, most do. Every quarter, nearly 650,000 EIN applications are submitted to the IRS. Securing an EIN is free, but the process generally requires a significant amount of work.

The TIN is an identification number used for the administration of tax laws in the US. Examples of TINs include:

• Individual Taxpayer Identification Number "ITIN"
• Employer Identification Number "EIN"
• Preparer Taxpayer Identification Number "PTIN"
• Social Security number "SSN"
• Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S. Adoptions "ATIN"

Note that the Social Security Numbers (SSNs) are issued by Social Security Administration (SAA) and all other TINs are issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

An EIN is an essential part of doing business in the United States, and there are many reasons why an EIN is necessary for a business entity to succeed, including:

• EINs allow individuals to set up legal entities such as corporations, trusts, and LLCs, separating them from personal tax liabilities.
• An EIN may help protect a business owner’s SSN. Although a sole proprietor may operate a business in the US using their SSN, an EIN protects the owner, especially in cases where they need to share their TIN with a vendor, client, or others for tax purposes.
• An EIN is required to open a business bank account, secure loans, open lines of credit, or obtain a business credit card.
• An EIN is required to hire and pay employees and obtain business licenses or permits.
• EINs are required for certain tax-deferred pension plans.
• EINs are used to file business taxes.

Most new business entities will require an EIN, but specifically, according to the IRS, any business that meets the following criteria:

• The business entity operates as a corporation or a partnership.
• The business entity has employees.
• The business entity has a Keogh plan.
• The business entity must pay employment, excise or alcohol, tobacco, and firearms taxes.
• The business entity must withhold taxes on non-wage income paid to non-resident aliens.

Business entities that operate in specific industries or do business with organizations in those industries must also have an EIN. These include estates, certain trusts, farmer coops, non-profits, mortgage loan investment vehicles, and plan administrators.

You may apply online for an EIN through the IRS.

Here's how:

• Determine your eligibility for an EIN: You may apply online if your principal business entity is in the US or its territories and if you have some other valid TIN (like an SSN, ITIN, or EIN).
• Complete the application: You must complete the online application in one sitting as it may not be saved, and sessions expire if you are inactive for more than 15 minutes.
• Submit your application: Once completed online, you will be given your unique EIN immediately.

If you do not wish to apply for your EIN online, other ways exist, including by fax, mail, or telephone (for international applicants only). While immediate access to your EIN is available when you apply online, it may take up to six weeks to receive it when you apply by fax or mail.

Someone might look up an EIN if they’ve forgotten their own, which is not uncommon, or if they are conducting due diligence, verifying the legitimacy of a business entity, or assessing risk before entering into a relationship with a business.

You may obtain an EIN completely free of charge through the IRS.

Whenever your business entity changes ownership and it is restructured, you must change your EIN. However, there is no requirement to change your EIN when you change your business name or address. If you do need to change your EIN, you’ll need to take the following steps:

• Contact the IRS and follow their requirements for changing your EIN: Ensure you adhere to IRS guidelines when requesting a change to your EIN.
• Update your EIN with any local and state taxation and licensing agencies: Notify relevant authorities to keep your records up to date.
• Provide your new EIN to your employees: Communicate the updated EIN to your employees for payroll and tax purposes.
• Update any payroll systems you use: Modify your payroll software or services to reflect the new EIN.
• Amend and revise any legal contracts or business agreements that require your EIN for filing: Ensure all documents and agreements are updated with the new EIN.
• Notify any financial institutions you do business with: Inform banks and other financial entities of the change to maintain continuity in financial transactions.

Typically, you cannot cancel your EIN, but the IRS will deactivate it upon your request. To deactivate an EIN, send a letter to one of the following IRS locations:

Be sure to include your EIN, name, address, EIN confirmation notice (if you have it), and the reason for requesting deactivation. Please note that the IRS will deactivate an EIN only after all outstanding tax returns are filed and all taxes paid.

It is not uncommon for a foreign national or entrepreneur to require an EIN, especially if they are entering into a relationship with a US business or engaging in specific activities that require a TIN from the US government.

Some common reasons why a foreigner might need to apply for an EIN include:

• Tax compliance: Foreign entities that operate a business in the US must have an EIN to do business there legally.
• Financial requirements: A non-US citizen must get an EIN to open a business bank account, establish credit, or apply for a business loan in the United States.
• Employee management: Any foreign business entity that employs US workers must have an EIN to meet employee payroll tax requirements and issue essential tax documents to their US employees.
• Contractual needs: Sometimes, an EIN may be required for a foreign entity to enter into a contract with a US company.
• Business licensing: Non-US citizens seeking a business license may need an EIN as part of the application process.

You may apply for an EIN as a non-US citizen if you have a valid SSN or ITIN. If you don’t, you must apply by fax or mail. To be eligible, you must be involved in business activities requiring compliance with US tax laws and obligations.

Here are some scenarios in which a foreign entity may need to apply for an EIN:

• Non-resident alien: If you are not a citizen of the United States, nor are you a green card holder, yet you do business in the states that require you to file taxes, you must obtain an EIN.
• Foreign corporation: Any company located outside the United States conducting business there needs an EIN.
• Foreign partnerships: Any foreign partnership conducting business in the United States needs an EIN.
• Non-US trusts and estates: A non-US citizen with an income-generating trust or estate within the United States must obtain an EIN.
• Non-US single-member LLCs: An LLC owned by non-US citizens or entities must have an EIN.

To apply for an EIN as a non-US citizen, you must take the following steps:

• Fill out IRS Form SS-4: You must complete IRS Form SS-4 to obtain an EIN as a foreign entity.
• Submit the form to the IRS: You may submit your EIN application (Form SS-4) by fax (855-215-1627 from within the US or 304-707-9471 from outside the US) or mail it to the address on the form. You may also apply by phone at 267-941-1099 from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.