How to find your Employer Identification Number (EIN)

The simplest way to find your Employer Identification Number (EIN) is to pull up your initial confirmation letter from the IRS, known as the CP 575 letter. Unfortunately, you can’t look up your EIN online using IRS sources.

As a business, you’ll need to report your EIN for a number of reasons. So if you’ve lost or misplaced your confirmation letter, it’s important to know how to find your EIN through alternative means, such as requesting a verification letter from the IRS, calling a dedicated line, or knowing where to look on your business tax documents.

What is an EIN, and why do you need one?

An EIN is a unique, nine-digit tax identification number issued by the IRS to U.S. businesses. It’s often considered the corporate equivalent of a Social Security number (SSN) because it serves as a primary identifier for tax reporting and other financial purposes.

Most businesses need an EIN for federal tax reporting and identification, especially if you plan to hire employees. But even sole proprietors and single-member LLCs, which aren’t legally required to have an EIN, often get one for the other benefits it provides:

• Separate business and personal finances: Some banks require an EIN to open business bank accounts. This helps separate your personal and business assets, making expense tracking and tax reporting easier.
• Access to business credit and other funding: An EIN allows you to establish business credit, which can strengthen your company’s financial profile over time. You’ll also need this number to apply for business financing, such as loans and lines of credit.
• Identity protection and privacy: Your EIN adds an extra layer of security since you can use it instead of your SSN on important business documents. This helps hide your SSN from vendors, clients, and partners, reducing the risk of identity theft.

Quick methods to find your EIN

As you fill out your company’s EIN more often, you might simply memorize it. But if you don’t know your EIN off the top of your head, here are the three simplest methods to find it:

1. Check your EIN confirmation letter (CP 575)

When you initially apply for and get an EIN, the IRS will send you a confirmation letter known as the CP 575 that lists your number. This is the primary source for your EIN and a foundational business document, so it’s important to safely retain it along with your other important records, like your articles of incorporation and business tax documents.

If you applied online, you’ll receive your confirmation via PDF immediately on approval. You can then download it for digital storage and print a copy for your physical records. If you applied by mail with Form SS-4, the IRS will send your confirmation letter via post; if you applied via fax, you’ll receive a faxed confirmation back within 4 business days.

2. Review your business tax returns

Your EIN appears on every business tax return you've filed. The specific form depends on your business structure:

• Schedule C (Form 1040): For sole proprietors, your EIN appears in the top right corner in box D, labeled Employer ID number (EIN)
• Form 1065: For partnerships or multi-member LLCs, your EIN is located at the top of page 1 in box D
• Form 1120: C corps can find their EIN at the top of page 1 in box B
• Form 1120-S: EINs for S corps appear at the top of page 1 in box D

You can reference tax returns from any previous year; your EIN never changes once assigned. If you work with an accountant or tax preparer, they should have copies of your returns readily available.

3. Look at your business banking and financing documents

You’ll need to provide your EIN for most business finance activities, so you may be able to find it on various financial documents:

• Bank statements and account applications: Many banks require your EIN as part of your business bank account application. Some may display it on your monthly statements, typically in the account information section or header.
• Loan documents and credit applications: Any business loan paperwork, lines of credit, or financing agreements list your EIN in the business identification section, usually within the first few pages
• Business credit card statements: Similar to bank statements, business credit card statements often show your EIN in the account details section, particularly on the first page or in the fine-print footer

Where else to look for your EIN

Your EIN appears in many other business records you might not immediately think of. Check these additional sources before reaching out to the IRS:

Business formation documents

Your EIN often appears in the paperwork you filed when you established your business structure:

• Articles of incorporation: If you incorporated your business, your articles of incorporation may reference your EIN, particularly if you amended them after receiving your tax ID number
• LLC operating agreements: Many operating agreements include the company's EIN in the opening sections where you define basic business information
• Partnership agreements: Partnership agreements typically list the EIN in the first few pages alongside other identifying information about the partnership
• Business licenses and permits: Most states and municipalities require your EIN when you apply for business licenses, permits, or sales tax certificates. Check any licenses you've obtained—your EIN usually appears in the business identification section.

Payroll and employment records

If you have employees or you’ve hired contractors, you've used your EIN on numerous employment-related forms:

• W-2 and W-3 forms: Your business’s EIN appears in box b on every W-2 you issue to employees. The W-3 you send to the Social Security Administration also displays your EIN.
• 1099 forms you've issued: When you pay contractors $600 or more in a given year, you must report their income on Form 1099-NEC. Your EIN appears in the payer information section.
• State unemployment insurance documents: Your state unemployment account ties directly to your EIN. Check your state unemployment correspondence, quarterly reports, or account statements.
• Workers' compensation paperwork: Workers' comp applications and policies require your EIN. Review your insurance policy documents or premium notices.

Previous business correspondence

Look through any official correspondence related to your business:

• IRS notices and letters: The IRS includes your EIN on virtually every piece of mail they send you. Search for any notices about tax filings, payment confirmations, or issues.
• State tax department communication: State revenue departments reference your federal EIN in their correspondence, even when discussing state-specific tax matters
• Professional service provider files: Your accountant, tax preparer, or attorney maintains files with your EIN. Contact them directly; they should be able to pull your number from their records quickly. Bookkeeping services, payroll companies, and business consultants you've worked with also have your EIN on file.

How to find your EIN through official IRS channels

If you can't get your EIN from any of your business documents, the IRS offers direct methods to retrieve it. These official channels provide the most reliable way to confirm your number when other options fall through, but often take time and prep work:

Call the IRS business tax line

You can call the IRS business and specialty tax line at 1-800-829-4933 to request your EIN over the phone. The line operates Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time.

Before you call, make sure you’ve collected the necessary documents to verify your identity and whether you’re authorized to access the EIN. The IRS will ask you to confirm details like your business’s legal name, address, and your SSN or personal taxpayer ID number (TIN) if you're the one listed on the original EIN application.

It’s important to note that if you're calling on behalf of someone else, you'll need written authorization or a power of attorney to

Request an EIN verification letter (Form 147C)

The IRS issues Form 147C as an official verification letter that confirms your EIN. Unlike the original CP 575, you’ll need to specifically request this letter when you need replacement documentation.

You can only request Form 147C by calling the dedicated business tax line at 1-800-829-4933. Unlike your original EIN application, you can’t request a 147C by mail or fax, but you can receive it by mail or fax.

If you elect to get your verification letter faxed, the IRS can send it through immediately. Otherwise, it usually takes 7–14 business days to arrive by mail, though this can sometimes take longer during busy seasons.

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What if you still can't find your EIN?

If you've exhausted your options and can't locate your EIN, you need to contact the IRS directly—but don't apply for a new one. The IRS assigns only one EIN per business entity. You can’t request a new EIN for an existing business, even if you've lost your original number.

Applying for a duplicate EIN creates serious issues: The IRS may reject tax filings, delay refunds, or flag your account for discrepancies. Instead, call the IRS business tax line and explain your situation to a representative. They'll verify your identity and provide your existing EIN over the phone.

If you need your EIN urgently—for example, to meet a same-day tax filing deadline or complete time-sensitive transactions—contact the IRS by phone rather than requesting Form 147C. Phone verification gives you immediate access to your number, while the written verification letter can take weeks to arrive.

Keep a secure record of your EIN once you recover it. Store it in multiple locations: Save a digital copy in secure cloud storage, keep a physical copy in your business document files, and share it with your accountant or bookkeeper. This redundancy prevents future scrambles to locate this critical piece of business information.

How to find another company's EIN (that’s not yours)

Although the IRS website doesn’t have a public database that lists every EIN, it’s still possible to discover another company’s number. Whether you’re doing due diligence ahead of launching a business partnership, trying to prevent fraud, or you’re an employee who doesn't have your W-2 on hand, understanding how to conduct EIN verification is helpful.

Here are some strategies you can use:

• ​​Review databases when applicable: You won’t find EINs for small businesses, but you can look them up for publicly traded corporations and non-profits. The SEC has a database that allows you to retrieve the EIN for any company that trades on a stock exchange, and the IRS has a useful tax-exempt organization search that lets you find EINs for tax-exempt businesses.
• Call the company directly: You can call a business and inquire about their EIN. This approach works best if you have a working relationship with the company since they’re not obligated to give it to you.
• Online research: Local, state, and federal websites have information on many employers. It’s possible you may find a company’s EIN if you do enough research. You can also request a business credit report and see if it contains the EIN number.

Get a Ramp Business Credit Card with just your EIN number

Get the Ramp’s corporate card with just your EIN

Having your EIN accessible is essential if you’re looking to separate your business and personal finances. One of the cleanest ways to do that is to apply for a business credit card that only asks for your EIN and doesn't require a personal guarantee, credit check, or SSN.

Ramp’s corporate card checks all those boxes. All you need to qualify is an EIN and at least $25,000 in a U.S. business bank account—the application process is simple, and businesses get approved in fewer than 48 hours on average.

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