How to get an EIN for free
You can get an EIN free from the IRS, using its online application, and the number comes right away. You need one if you have employees, a partnership, a corporation or a multi-member LLC. Single-member LLCs without staff often get one anyway for banking. Never pay a third-party site just for the number.
Updated November 2026 · By Pankil Kumar, Managing Partner
Quick facts
- Cost. Free from the IRS
- Fastest way. Online, with the number issued right away
- Needed for. Employees, banks and most business filings
Who needs an EIN?
| You are | EIN needed? |
|---|---|
| Sole proprietor, no employees | Not required, can use SSN |
| Sole proprietor with employees | Yes |
| Single-member LLC, no employees | Not for federal income tax, but useful |
| Multi-member LLC or partnership | Yes |
| Corporation or S-Corp | Yes |
| Filing excise tax or payroll returns | Yes |
Even if you don't need one, an EIN keeps your Social Security number off W-9s and invoices. Most banks want one for a business account.
How do you apply?
- Form your LLC or corporation with the state first.
- Go to the IRS EIN application on irs.gov.
- Enter the responsible party, who must be a person with a Social Security number or ITIN.
- Answer the questions about your entity and start date.
- Download your confirmation letter, CP 575, right away, and store it.
If you don't have a Social Security number or ITIN, you can usually apply with Form SS-4 by fax or mail. That's common for foreign owners of US LLCs.
What mistakes should you avoid?
- Paying a site that looks like the IRS, when the number is free
- Applying before your state filing has gone through
- Picking the wrong entity type. An LLC applying as a corporation causes problems
- Applying for more than one, when you've forgotten the first
Our LLC formation service handles this, but if you just need the number, you don't need to pay anyone for it.
What if you've lost your EIN?
Check an old tax return, your bank, or your CP 575 letter. If that fails, call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line, and they can give it to an authorized person after verifying who you are.
When do you need a new EIN?
A sole proprietor who forms an LLC or incorporates generally needs a new one. An LLC electing S-Corp treatment generally keeps its EIN. A name change or new address usually doesn't need a new number. You just tell the IRS. To update your responsible party, file Form 8822-B within 60 days.
Sources
General information, not tax advice for your situation.
Starting a business?
We form the LLC, get the EIN and set up your books.
See our LLC formation serviceHow long does it take to get an EIN?
Online, you usually get it right away. Fax and mail take longer.
Does an EIN expire?
No. It's permanent, though the IRS can close an account if you ask it to.
Do I need an EIN for a single-member LLC?
Not for federal income tax if you have no employees, but banks usually ask for one.
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