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.

You'll need your EIN for a number of business activities. 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 number?

An EIN is a unique, nine-digit tax identification number issued by the IRS to identify your business for tax purposes. It's also called a federal tax ID number or FEIN (federal employer identification number), and it works like a Social Security number, but for your business.

You'll use your EIN for a range of essential business activities:

• Tax filings: Required on all federal tax returns
• Business banking: Needed to open business accounts and apply for financing
• Hiring employees: Used to report payroll taxes to the IRS and state agencies
• Vendor payments: Often requested on W-9 forms when clients or vendors need to issue 1099s

An EIN is essential for running a legitimate business. Get yours before opening accounts, hiring, or filing taxes.

Quick methods to find your EIN

As you fill out your company's EIN more often, you might simply memorize 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, such as 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 or single-member LLCs, 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 as 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 and licensing 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. You can also check your state's Secretary of State website for registered business information.

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.
• Payroll provider records: If you use a payroll service, they have your EIN on file. Contact them directly and they should be able to pull your number from their records quickly.
• State unemployment insurance documents: Your state unemployment account ties directly to your EIN. Check your state unemployment correspondence, quarterly reports, or account statements.

Contracts and vendor correspondence

Any time you've shared your EIN with a client or vendor, that information lives in your contract files:

• W-9 forms you've submitted: Any W-9 you've sent to clients or vendors contains your EIN. Check past contracts, vendor onboarding documents, or accounts receivable files.
• Vendor and client agreements: Master service agreements and vendor contracts often include your EIN alongside other identifying business information
• Accounts receivable records: Invoices and billing files you've shared with customers may also list your EIN, especially for B2B transactions

How to request your EIN from the IRS

If you can't get your EIN from any of your business documents, the IRS offers direct, free 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 and Specialty Tax Line

You can call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 to request your EIN over the phone. The line operates Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM local time.

The IRS will verify your identity before providing the EIN, and only authorized persons (such as an owner, partner, corporate officer, or trustee) can request it. Before you call, have the following ready:

• Your full legal name and title
• Your business's legal name and address
• The type of tax return your business files
• The reason for your call
• Your SSN or personal taxpayer ID number (TIN), if you're listed on the original EIN application

If you're calling on behalf of someone else, you'll need written authorization or a power of attorney.

Request an EIN verification letter (Form 147C)

The IRS issues Form 147C as an official verification letter that confirms your EIN. It's useful when banks, lenders, or vendors need formal documentation of your number.

You can only request Form 147C by calling the Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. You can't request a 147C by mail or fax, but the IRS can send it back to you by either method.

If you elect to get your verification letter faxed, the IRS can send it through immediately. Mail delivery typically takes 7–14 business days, though processing can run longer during busy seasons.

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How to look up another company's EIN

The IRS doesn't maintain a public database of every EIN, but you can still find another company's number through a few channels.

Contact the company directly

The simplest method is to request a completed W-9 form from the vendor or company. This is standard practice for accounts payable teams and the most reliable way to get an accurate EIN for tax reporting.

If you have a working relationship with the company, you can also call them directly and ask. Keep in mind they're not obligated to share it outside of a formal W-9 request.

Search SEC filings and public records

Publicly traded companies disclose their EINs in SEC filings such as 10-K and 10-Q reports. You can search for free using the SEC's EDGAR database to pull up filings for any company that trades on a US stock exchange.

State business registries can also help. Many Secretary of State websites publish basic information about registered businesses, and some include EINs.

Use nonprofit and charity databases

Nonprofits must disclose their EINs on Form 990, which is a matter of public record. Two free resources make these easy to find:

• The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search lets you look up EINs and tax-exempt status for registered nonprofits
• GuideStar's nonprofit profiles and Form 990 filings (now Candid) provides Form 990 filings and detailed nonprofit profiles, including EINs

What to do if you still can't find your EIN

If you've exhausted your records and still can't locate your EIN, don't apply for a new one. The IRS assigns only one EIN per business entity, and applying for a duplicate can cause rejected filings, delayed refunds, and account flags.

Work through this quick decision tree before contacting the IRS:

• Contact your accountant or tax preparer: They have your EIN on file from past returns, bookkeeping work, or payroll filings, and can usually pull it within minutes
• Check old emails: Search your inbox for "CP 575," "EIN," or "IRS" to find your original confirmation or related correspondence
• Request a business credit report: Credit bureaus like Dun & Bradstreet maintain your EIN in their business records, though pulling a report may involve a fee
• Call the IRS as a last resort: Use the Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 to retrieve your number or request Form 147C

Once you recover your EIN, store it securely in multiple places. Save a digital copy in cloud storage, keep a physical copy in your business records, and share it with your accountant or bookkeeper to prevent future scrambles.

How to apply for a new EIN

If you've realized you never actually obtained an EIN, or you need one for a new business entity, applying is free and straightforward. Remember, you can't apply for a replacement EIN. If you lost yours, retrieve it using the methods above.

Online application

The online application on IRS.gov is the fastest method, with immediate EIN assignment upon completion. It's available Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern, and you'll need a valid SSN or ITIN to complete it.

Mail or fax application

You can also apply using Form SS-4 by mail or fax. Faxed applications typically process within 4 business days, while mailed applications can take 4 to 6 weeks.

Phone application

Phone applications are only available to international applicants without a US SSN or ITIN. Call 267-941-1099 (not toll-free) to apply.

Get a Ramp business credit card with just your EIN number

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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