How to get a free EIN from the IRS in minutes

You can get a free EIN directly from the IRS through its online application in minutes. If your application is approved, the IRS issues your nine-digit employer identification number immediately, while fax applications take about 4 business days.

Knowing how to get a free EIN keeps you from paying a filing service for something the IRS does at no cost. To get an EIN without delays, confirm you need one, gather your business details, and apply online or by mail, fax, or phone.

What is an EIN?

An EIN is a unique nine-digit tax identification number that the IRS assigns to U.S. businesses. It's formatted with a dash between the second and third digits: XX-XXXXXXX. You may also see it referred to as a federal EIN or federal tax ID number.

The IRS issues EINs to businesses, tax-exempt organizations, and other entities, and getting one is always free. Banks and lenders typically ask for your EIN when you open a business account or apply for business credit, so it's usually one of the first things you'll need.

EIN vs. SSN, TIN, and ITIN

TIN, short for taxpayer identification number, is the umbrella term for the numbers the IRS uses to identify taxpayers. EINs, SSNs, and ITINs are all types of TINs. The difference is who they identify: an EIN identifies an entity, while an SSN or ITIN identifies an individual.

The IRS is clear that an EIN is for business activities only. Don't use it in place of your SSN or ITIN. You'll still need the responsible party's SSN or ITIN to apply online.

Who needs a federal EIN?

Most businesses need an EIN to operate legally. Even if you're not strictly required to have one, many owners choose to get an EIN for financing, banking, and tax benefits. Here's who the IRS says must have one.

Businesses with employees

Any business that hires employees must obtain an EIN for payroll tax purposes. You'll use it to report wages, withhold taxes, and file employment tax returns with the IRS. If you plan to bring on even one W-2 worker, an EIN is non-negotiable.

LLCs and partnerships

Multi-member LLCs and partnerships require an EIN regardless of whether they have employees. The IRS treats these entities as separate taxpayers, so each one needs its own identification number. Single-member LLCs without employees or excise tax obligations aren't required to have an EIN, but many still apply for one to simplify banking and build business credit.

Corporations and S corps

All corporations, both C corps and S corps, must have an EIN for tax filing and compliance. You'll need it from the moment you incorporate, well before you file your first return.

Non-profit organizations

Non-profits need an EIN to apply for tax-exempt status and accept tax-deductible donations. You'll also use it when filing Form 990 and other required IRS documents.

Trusts and estates

Trusts and estates that manage assets and distribute income need an EIN for tax reporting. If you're administering an estate or managing a trust, the IRS requires a separate identification number to track income and distributions properly. Certain grantor-owned revocable trusts are an exception: the trustee can use the grantor's name and TIN instead.

Benefits of getting an employer identification number

Even if you're not legally required to have an EIN, there are several practical advantages to getting one early.

Separate business and personal finances

An EIN lets you open a business bank account and apply for business credit without using your Social Security number. This creates a clear boundary between your personal and business finances, which simplifies bookkeeping and protects your personal assets.

Build business credit

Your EIN is the foundation of your business credit profile. Lenders, suppliers, and creditors report activity under your EIN, building a credit history separate from your personal score.

Some corporate cards, like the Ramp Corporate Card, don't require a personal credit check. See more EIN-only cards.

Access business banking and financing

Most banks require an EIN to open a business checking account. Lenders and investors will also ask for your EIN during due diligence, so having one ready means fewer delays when you need working capital.

Protect your Social Security number

Every time you hand over your SSN for a business transaction, you increase your exposure to identity theft. An EIN replaces your SSN on tax forms, vendor applications, and bank paperwork, reducing the number of places your personal information lives.

Hire employees

You can't run payroll without an EIN. The IRS requires it to track employee wages, tax withholdings, and contributions. If you plan to hire, get your EIN first so you can set up payroll systems without delay.

What information you need for EIN registration

If you're forming an LLC or corporation, register it with your state first, or the IRS may delay your application.

Before you start your application, gather the following details:

• Legal business name: Your business name as registered with your state
• Business address: Your physical business location, not a P.O. box
• Responsible party: The name and SSN or ITIN of the person who controls the entity
• Entity type: Limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, sole proprietor, etc.
• Reason for applying: Starting a new business, hiring employees, banking purposes, etc.
• Business start date: When you started or acquired the business

The responsible party is the individual who ultimately owns or controls the entity. It must be a person, not another business, unless the applicant is a government entity.

How to get a free EIN online

The online application is the fastest method: if your application is approved, you'll receive your EIN immediately. The IRS online tool is available Monday–Friday, 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. ET (next day), Saturday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, and Sunday 6 p.m. to midnight ET. Finish in one session: the IRS EIN tool times out after 15 minutes of inactivity and allows 1 EIN per responsible party per day.

1. Visit the IRS EIN Assistant

Go to IRS.gov and navigate to the EIN Assistant. This is the only official, free way to apply for an EIN online.

2. Select your entity type

Choose the structure that matches your state filing: sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, partnership, non-profit, or estate/trust. If you're unsure, refer to your formation documents. Selecting the wrong type can cause tax filing problems later.

3. Choose your reason for applying

Pick the one reason that fits your situation best. The IRS lists these options:

• Started a new business
• Hired employees
• Banking purpose
• Changed type of organization
• Purchased a going business
• Created a trust
• Created a pension plan

Most new businesses choose "Started a new business." Your answer tells the IRS why you need the number, so match it to what's happening in your business today.

4. Enter your business information

Provide your legal business name, physical address, and responsible party details. The responsible party is the individual who controls, manages, or directs the entity and its funds. Enter names exactly as they appear on the Social Security card or your formation documents.

5. Confirm your details

Review every field before you submit.

6. Receive your EIN immediately

Once you submit, the IRS issues your EIN on the spot. Save or print your CP-575 confirmation notice immediately. This is your official record and proof of your EIN assignment.

If you lose it later, eligible Business Tax Account users can download a digital CP575, or you can call the IRS to request Letter 147C.

How to get a free EIN by mail, fax, or phone

If you can't apply online, the IRS offers alternative methods at no cost.

Apply by mail

Complete Form SS-4 and mail it to the IRS. You'll get your EIN in about 4 weeks, so mail it at least 4–5 weeks before you need it. If you're a domestic applicant, mail your application to:

Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999

If you're applying from outside the U.S., send your application to:

Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN International Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999
USA

Apply by fax

You can fax Form SS-4 and receive your EIN within about 4 business days. The fax number depends on your location:

• Domestic applicants (U.S. entities): 855–641-6935
• International applicants (outside the U.S.): 1–304-707–9471
• International applicants filing from inside the U.S.: 855–215-1627

Make sure you include a return fax number so the IRS can send your EIN back to you.

Apply by phone

International applicants can call the IRS directly at 1–267-941–1099 to apply for an EIN over the phone. The line is open weekdays from 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM Eastern time.

Phone applications are available only to international applicants. Domestic applicants can't get an EIN by phone.

Common EIN application mistakes

These are the most frequent errors that delay or complicate the EIN process.

Applying before your entity is formed

If you're creating an LLC, partnership, or corporation, register it with your secretary of state before you apply. Otherwise, the IRS says your application may be delayed.

Start your EIN filing once your state has accepted your formation documents. Keep those documents nearby, since the application asks for the exact legal name and entity type they show.

Applying for multiple EINs

You only need one EIN per entity. If you operate multiple businesses under the same LLC or corporation, they all share one EIN. If you end up with more than one EIN, call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800–829-4933 to confirm which one to use.

Entering incorrect responsible party info

Enter the responsible party's name and SSN exactly as they appear on the Social Security card. Mismatches can delay your application.

Selecting the wrong entity type

This is especially common with LLCs. A single-member LLC is not the same as a sole proprietorship for EIN purposes.

Choose the entity type that matches your state formation documents. If your LLC plans to elect corporate or S corp tax treatment, the application asks you to indicate that.

Not saving your confirmation

The IRS issues your EIN once and displays your CP-575 notice on screen. If you close the window without saving, you can request Letter 147C from the IRS, or download a digital CP575 if you're an eligible Business Tax Account user. Save it as a PDF or print it before navigating away.

Paying a third-party service

EIN applications are always free through the IRS. Any website charging a fee is a third-party filing service doing exactly what you can do yourself in minutes. There's no advantage to paying for something the government provides at no cost.

What to do after you get your EIN

You can use your EIN right away for most things, like opening a bank account, applying for licenses, and filing a return by mail. Wait up to 2 weeks before you try to pass IRS TIN Matching, e-file, or make electronic tax deposits.

If you plan to run payroll or make a federal tax deposit soon after you apply, build that 2-week buffer into your timeline. Then work through these steps:

1. Store your CP575 with your formation documents: Keep digital and paper copies next to your articles of organization or incorporation. You'll reach for it whenever a bank, vendor, or tax preparer asks for proof of your EIN.
2. Open a business bank account: Apply in your business's legal name using your new EIN. A dedicated business bank account keeps business and personal money separate from your first transaction.
3. Set up business payments: A corporate card like Ramp lets you set per-merchant limits, category restrictions, and time-bound authorizations on unlimited physical and virtual cards.
4. Check whether you need to report beneficial owners: Some corporations, LLCs, and other entities may be required to report beneficial owners to FinCEN. Review FinCEN's guidance to see whether the requirement applies to you.

Handling these early means your federal EIN is ready when you hire, sign contracts, or file your first return.

When you need a new EIN

You generally need a new EIN when your entity's ownership or structure changes, but not when you change your name or address. The IRS rules depend on your entity type.

Trust and estate rules depend on the specific change, so check the IRS guide on when to get a new EIN before you apply. If you buy an existing business, don't use the former owner's EIN unless you acquired a corporation by buying its stock.

How to look up your EIN

If you've lost or forgotten your EIN, there are several ways to track it down:

• Check previous tax returns: Your EIN appears on every filed business return
• Review bank records: Your EIN is on your business account paperwork and opening documents
• Contact the IRS: Call the Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800–829-4933 to request your EIN
• Check IRS notices: Any correspondence you've received from the IRS includes your EIN

The IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line is available Mon–Fri, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM local time. Have your business information ready, as the agent will need to verify your identity before releasing the number.

Your CP-575 confirmation letter is your primary official record. If you saved it when you originally applied, check there first. It's the fastest way to confirm your number without waiting on hold.

Need official proof? The IRS offers three confirmation options for an EIN number lookup. You can request an entity transcript, download a digital CP575 in Business Tax Account if you're eligible, or call to request Letter 147C.

One important detail: An EIN doesn't expire. Once assigned, it's your entity's permanent federal tax ID. The IRS can't cancel it, but it can deactivate it if you no longer need it.

Apply for the Ramp Corporate Card using only your EIN

An EIN lets you separate your business and personal finances cleanly. One of the simplest ways to do that is to apply for a business card that doesn't require a personal guarantee or credit check.

The Ramp Corporate Card is available to businesses with a U.S. entity and a U.S. bank account. Once you apply for the Ramp Corporate Card, you can get approved in under 48 hours, with no personal credit check or personal guarantee. The Ramp Corporate Card offers up to 20x higher credit limits than traditional business credit cards.

Beyond simplified approval, Ramp includes built-in expense management tools that help you reduce spending. Set transaction limits by vendor or category, issue unlimited physical and virtual cards for your team, and capture receipts automatically. Those controls apply at the point of swipe, so out-of-policy purchases get blocked before they happen.

You also get real-time spend visibility and automated expense categorization that simplifies tax time.

Ready to get started? Try an interactive demo to see how Ramp helps you manage spending from day one.