How to Get an EIN: Step-by-Step IRS Guide

Federal tax ID guidance · IRS Form SS-4, Rev. December 2025

Getting an Employer Identification Number (EIN) is the process of obtaining a federal tax identification number from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

For eligible applicants, the IRS online application is generally the fastest and simplest way to get an EIN. Other applicants may need to apply using Form SS-4 by fax or mail, while certain international applicants have additional options.

Quick Answer: How Do I Get an EIN?

The basic process is:

1. Determine whether you need an EIN.
2. Form your business or organization first if required.
3. Identify the responsible party.
4. Prepare the information required by the IRS.
5. Choose the application method available to you.
6. Submit the EIN application.
7. Save your EIN confirmation.
8. Use the EIN for applicable federal tax and business purposes.

For most eligible U.S. applicants, the online IRS application is the preferred route.

If you are still preparing to apply, see our EIN Requirements guide for the complete information checklist.

Step 1: Determine Whether You Need an EIN

Not every person or business automatically needs an EIN.

Your requirement depends on factors such as your business structure, employees, federal tax obligations, and other circumstances.

Common EIN holders include:

• LLCs
• Corporations
• Partnerships
• Sole proprietors
• Nonprofits
• Trusts
• Estates
• Certain other organizations

A sole proprietor with no employees, for example, may not need an EIN in some circumstances.

Before applying, make sure an EIN is appropriate for your situation.

Step 2: Form the Business or Organization if Required

An EIN does not create an LLC, corporation, partnership, or other legal entity.

If you are forming an entity that must be established under state or other applicable law, generally complete that formation before applying for the EIN.

For example:

The EIN is the federal tax identification number for the entity. It is separate from state business formation.

Step 3: Identify the Responsible Party

The IRS requires an EIN application to identify the responsible party.

The responsible party is generally the individual who ultimately owns or controls the entity, or who has ultimate effective control over its funds or assets.

The correct person depends on the entity.

A lawyer, accountant, formation service, or other person helping with the application is not automatically the responsible party.

The IRS also distinguishes responsible parties from nominees.

For the detailed rules, see: EIN Responsible Party

Step 4: Prepare the Information You Need

You do not need to memorize every question before starting the application.

Have the basic information available, including:

• Legal name
• Trade name or DBA, if applicable
• Mailing address
• Physical address, if applicable
• Responsible party
• Required taxpayer identification information
• Entity type
• LLC information, if applicable
• Reason for applying
• Business start date or other applicable date
• Principal business activity
• Employee information, if applicable

For the complete preparation checklist, see: EIN Requirements

This keeps the application process simple without duplicating the detailed requirements covered on that page.

Step 5: Choose Your EIN Application Method

Your application method depends mainly on where the entity is located and whether you qualify for the IRS online system.

Online application

For eligible applicants, applying online is generally the quickest option.

Form SS-4

Applicants who cannot or do not use the online system may apply using Form SS-4.

International applicants

Applicants whose principal place of business is outside the United States and U.S. territories generally cannot use the online EIN application and should follow the IRS procedures for international applicants.

Step 6: Apply Online if You Are Eligible

The IRS online EIN application walks you through the application process.

The general flow is:

The IRS online system has specific eligibility requirements and operating hours.

It is not necessary to pay a third-party company to submit an online EIN application for you.

The official IRS service is free.

One important limit

The IRS currently limits EIN issuance to one EIN per responsible party per day.

If you make a mistake or have already submitted an application, do not simply keep submitting new applications.

Step 7: Apply With Form SS-4 When Necessary

Form SS-4 is the IRS application used to request an EIN when applying through the applicable non-online procedures.

The current form is Form SS-4, Rev. December 2025.

The form asks for information about the applicant, entity, responsible party, business activity, and other details.

Rather than repeating every line here, use our dedicated guides:

Step 8: Submit the Application

Submit the application through the method appropriate for your situation.

Depending on eligibility, this may mean:

• IRS online application
• Fax
• Mail
• Telephone procedures available to certain international applicants

Use the current IRS instructions for the applicable submission address, fax number, and procedure.

Avoid relying on old blog posts or outdated copies of Form SS-4 because IRS procedures can change.

Step 9: Receive and Save Your EIN

Once the IRS assigns your EIN, save the confirmation immediately.

Keep it with your permanent business records.

You may need the EIN later for:

• Federal tax returns
• Employment tax filings
• Banking
• Business registrations
• Tax documents
• Other business purposes

It is much easier to retrieve the number later if you have preserved the original confirmation.

For help if you have lost the number, see: How to Find a Lost EIN

Step 10: Use the EIN Correctly

Getting an EIN does not complete all of your federal or state business obligations.

After receiving it, determine which registrations, tax filings, licenses, and reporting requirements apply to your business.

An EIN is an identifier. It does not:

• Create an LLC
• Create a corporation
• Automatically make an organization tax-exempt
• Automatically determine your tax classification
• Replace every other taxpayer identification number

Keep your business information and IRS records up to date.

How to Get an EIN Online

For eligible applicants, the online process is straightforward:

1. Confirm you qualify for online application.
2. Gather the required information.
3. Start the IRS online EIN application.
4. Select the appropriate entity type.
5. Identify the responsible party.
6. Enter the requested information.
7. Review the application carefully.
8. Submit it.
9. Save the EIN confirmation.

The EIN itself is free.

If the online system is not available for your situation, use the IRS-approved alternative method.

How Long Does It Take to Get an EIN?

The answer depends on how you apply.

Online

Eligible applicants can generally receive the EIN during the online application process.

Fax

The IRS currently estimates about four business days for eligible fax applications when the required information is provided and a fax number is included.

Mail

The IRS currently estimates approximately four weeks for mailed applications.

Processing times can change, so check the current IRS guidance before planning around a specific delivery time.

For a detailed explanation: EIN Processing Time

How Much Does an EIN Cost?

The IRS does not charge an EIN application fee.

Some private companies charge a service fee for helping customers complete an application. That fee is for the private service, not for the EIN itself.

If you are comfortable completing the IRS application yourself, you can apply directly through the IRS without paying a third-party application fee.

Can Foreign Applicants Get an EIN?

Yes.

Foreign applicants can obtain EINs when they meet the applicable IRS requirements.

However, applicants whose principal place of business is outside the United States and U.S. territories generally cannot use the IRS online application.

International applicants should follow the current IRS instructions for the available application methods.

See: EIN for Foreign Applicants

How to Get an EIN for an LLC

The basic process is:

LLC tax treatment can vary.

A domestic single-member LLC is generally treated as a disregarded entity for federal income-tax purposes unless it elects corporate treatment, while a domestic multi-member LLC is generally treated as a partnership unless it elects otherwise.

An LLC may still need an EIN for circumstances such as having employees or certain federal tax obligations.

See the dedicated guide: EIN for LLC

How to Get an EIN for a Sole Proprietor

First determine whether the sole proprietor needs an EIN.

A sole proprietor may need one because of employees or certain federal tax responsibilities, and may also obtain one for certain permitted business purposes.

The IRS generally treats a sole proprietor as having one EIN regardless of how many sole-proprietorship businesses or trade names the individual operates.

See: EIN for Sole Proprietor

How to Get an EIN for a Corporation

Corporations generally need an EIN.

The basic process is:

1. Form the corporation.
2. Identify the responsible party.
3. Gather the required information.
4. Apply through the appropriate IRS method.
5. Save the EIN confirmation.

See: EIN for Corporation

How to Get an EIN for a Partnership

Partnerships generally need an EIN.

After the partnership is established, gather its required information, identify the responsible party, and apply through the appropriate IRS procedure.

See: EIN for Partnership

How to Get an EIN for a Nonprofit

A nonprofit organization may need an EIN even when it has no employees.

The organization should generally be legally formed before applying.

An EIN and federal tax-exempt status are separate matters.

Receiving an EIN does not by itself make an organization tax-exempt.

See: EIN for Nonprofit

What If I Make a Mistake?

Review the application carefully before submitting it.

The most important information to double-check includes:

• Legal name
• Entity type
• Responsible party
• Taxpayer identification information
• Address
• LLC information, if applicable

If you discover a problem after submitting the application, do not automatically submit another EIN application.

The IRS currently limits EIN issuance to one per responsible party per day.

Instead, determine what correction is needed and follow the applicable IRS procedure.

What If I Already Have an EIN?

Do not automatically apply for another EIN just because your business changes.

Whether a new EIN is necessary depends on the nature of the change.

Changes such as a business name or address change do not necessarily require a new EIN, while certain changes in ownership or entity structure can.

For the detailed rules: Do I Need a New EIN?

What Should I Do After Getting an EIN?

Once you receive the number:

• Save the EIN confirmation.
• Keep it with your permanent business records.
• Use the EIN on applicable federal tax documents.
• Complete any other required business or tax registrations.
• Monitor changes to your business information.
• Report responsible-party changes when required.

If the responsible party changes, the IRS generally requires the change to be reported using Form 8822-B within 60 days.

EIN Application Checklist

Before you start

• I know whether I need an EIN.
• My entity has been formed if required.
• I know the exact legal name.
• I know who the responsible party is.
• I have the required taxpayer identification information.
• I know which application method I can use.
• I have the necessary business information ready.

After receiving the EIN

• I saved the confirmation.
• I added it to my permanent records.
• I understand the tax and reporting obligations that apply to my business.

For the full requirements checklist, see EIN Requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bottom Line

Getting an EIN is usually a straightforward process:

For eligible U.S. applicants, the IRS online application is generally the fastest option.

For applicants who cannot use the online system, Form SS-4 and other IRS procedures are available.

And remember: the EIN itself is free from the IRS.

Official IRS Sources

For current requirements, application procedures, processing information, forms, and contact details, verify the latest information directly with the Internal Revenue Service.

This guide is based on current IRS EIN guidance and Form SS-4, Rev. December 2025, but IRS procedures can change.

Continue Your EIN Guide