How to Get an EIN for Your LLC
Get an Employer Identification Number free directly from the IRS. Eligible applicants can receive an EIN immediately online; others can use Form SS-4 by fax or mail, and qualifying international applicants can apply by phone.
How do you get an EIN?
First form your LLC with the state. Then apply directly with the IRS. If your principal place of business is in the United States or a U.S. territory and the responsible party has an SSN or ITIN, you can generally use the IRS online EIN tool and receive the number immediately if approved. If you cannot use the online tool, Form SS-4 can be submitted by fax or mail. Applicants whose principal place of business is outside the U.S. can also use the IRS international phone route.
Apply after your LLC exists. The IRS currently instructs people forming a legal entity such as an LLC to form it through the state before applying for an EIN. Applying first can delay the EIN application.
What Is an EIN?
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit number the IRS assigns to employers, sole proprietors, corporations, partnerships, estates, trusts and other entities for federal tax filing and reporting. Despite the word “Employer,” a business does not need employees merely to be eligible for an EIN.
An EIN is sometimes called a federal tax ID. It is different from a state tax account number, business license, Social Security number and Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
Does Your LLC Need an EIN?
Many LLCs need an EIN, but not every single-member LLC needs a separate EIN solely for federal income-tax reporting. The answer depends on the LLC's tax classification and activities.
| Situation | EIN position | Why |
|---|---|---|
| LLC has employees | Generally required | An employer needs an EIN to report employment taxes and provide tax statements. |
| Multi-member LLC taxed as partnership | Required for partnership filing | The partnership uses an EIN for Form 1065 and related federal filings. |
| LLC taxed as corporation / S corporation | Required | The entity uses an EIN for its corporate federal tax filings. |
| Single-member disregarded LLC, no employees/excise-tax liability | Not automatically required solely for federal income tax | The activity is generally reported through the owner; separate EIN rules apply for employment/excise taxes. |
| Bank or other institution asks for EIN | May be practically needed | Institutional requirements vary; confirm with the specific bank or provider. |
Important: getting an EIN does not change your LLC's federal tax classification. A single-member LLC does not become a corporation just because it obtains an EIN. See How Are LLCs Taxed? for the classification rules.
How to Get an EIN in 6 Steps
Form the LLC with your state
Wait until the LLC is legally formed before requesting its EIN. Use the exact legal name from the formation record.
Identify the responsible party
The responsible party is the person who ultimately owns or controls the entity or exercises ultimate effective control. A nominee should not be listed as the responsible party.
Choose the correct application route
Online eligibility depends on principal business location and the responsible party's taxpayer ID. Fax/mail are alternatives; international phone service has separate location rules.
Prepare the LLC and tax information
Have the legal name, trade name if applicable, address, entity type, responsible-party information, reason for applying, formation date and expected employment/tax information ready.
Submit once and save the confirmation
The IRS limits EIN issuance to one EIN per responsible party per day. If applying online, complete the application in one session and save or print the confirmation.
Use the EIN where the rules require it
Use it for the LLC's applicable federal filings, payroll and other business accounts. Do not assume the LLC's EIN replaces the owner's TIN on every tax or information-reporting form.
Option 1: Apply for an EIN Online
The IRS online tool is the fastest route when you qualify. The IRS currently says you can use it when your principal place of business is in the U.S. or U.S. territories, you are the responsible party or authorized representative, and you have the responsible party's SSN or ITIN. The current tool does not allow an ordinary applicant to use an EIN as the responsible party's taxpayer ID; the IRS notes an exception for government entities.
If the application is approved, the IRS issues the EIN immediately online. The application must be completed in one session, cannot be saved for later, and expires after 15 minutes of inactivity.
Current online availability (Eastern Time): Monday–Friday 6:00 a.m.–1:00 a.m. the next day; Saturday 6:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; Sunday 6:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m. IRS hours can change, so use the official IRS page at application time.
For screen-by-screen guidance, use our Apply for EIN Online guide.
Option 2: Apply by Fax or Mail With Form SS-4
If you cannot or do not use the online tool, complete Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number. The routing depends on whether the applicant has a legal residence, principal place of business, or principal office or agency in a U.S. state/District of Columbia versus outside the states.
| Route | Current IRS destination | IRS timing guidance |
|---|---|---|
| U.S./DC — fax | 855-641-6935 | About 4 business days if you provide a fax number |
| U.S./DC — mail | Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999 | Approximately 4 weeks |
| No legal residence/principal business/office in any state — fax from within U.S. | 855-215-1627 | Processing can vary |
| No legal residence/principal business/office in any state — fax from outside U.S. | 304-707-9471 | Processing can vary |
| International — mail | Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN International Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999 | Processing can vary |
Fax numbers can change without notice. Verify the current destination on the IRS “Where to file Form SS-4” page immediately before sending sensitive information.
Option 3: International Applicant by Phone
If you have no legal residence, principal place of business, or principal office or agency in the United States or U.S. territories, the Form SS-4 instructions allow an international telephone application. The current IRS number is 267-941-1099 (not toll-free), Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
The caller must be authorized to receive the EIN and answer the Form SS-4 questions. This route is based on the applicant's location circumstances—not simply on citizenship or on whether the owner has an SSN.
No SSN or ITIN? That by itself does not automatically make the phone route available. If the principal business is in the U.S./territories but the responsible party lacks an SSN/ITIN, the online tool is unavailable; review Form SS-4 fax/mail instructions. If the business is outside the U.S., the international phone route may apply.
EIN Application Route Finder
Use this page-specific tool to identify the common IRS route to investigate. It fixes a common mistake in older EIN guides: routing solely by whether the owner has an SSN.
This tool is for common business cases. Trusts, estates, government entities, unusual responsible-party situations and other special applicants should follow the current Form SS-4 instructions.
Who Is the Responsible Party?
The EIN application asks for the person who ultimately owns or controls the entity or exercises ultimate effective control over it. The IRS says nominees cannot apply for an EIN and should not be listed as the responsible party. If there is more than one responsible party, the IRS says to list the person you want it to recognize.
If the responsible party later changes, use Form 8822-B. The IRS says a change in responsible party must be reported within 60 days. Form 8822-B is also used for certain business address or location changes.
Form SS-4: Information to Have Ready
Whether you submit Form SS-4 directly or use the online interview, prepare the underlying information carefully. Common items include:
- Exact legal name of the entity and trade name, if any.
- Mailing address and primary physical location.
- Responsible party's full name and required taxpayer-identification information.
- LLC ownership/member count and federal tax-classification information.
- Reason for applying, such as starting a new business or hiring employees.
- Date the business started or was acquired.
- Expected number of employees and first wage-payment date, when applicable.
- Principal business activity and products/services.
Do not guess the tax-classification fields. A single-member disregarded LLC, multi-member LLC taxed as a partnership, and LLC electing corporation/S corporation treatment do not necessarily complete the entity-classification portion the same way.
What to Do After You Receive the EIN
- Save the original IRS confirmation. Keep it with your permanent company records.
- Allow time for IRS systems when necessary. Some electronic filings or other systems may not recognize a newly issued EIN immediately.
- Use the correct taxpayer ID on each form. A disregarded single-member LLC can have special information-reporting rules; do not automatically substitute the LLC EIN for the owner's TIN everywhere.
- Open business financial accounts as appropriate. Bank documentation requirements vary; see our LLC business bank account guide.
- Update the IRS if key information changes. Use Form 8822-B when its address/location/responsible-party rules apply.
What If You Lose Your EIN?
Do not apply for a new EIN merely because you misplaced the number. First check prior IRS notices, tax returns, bank records or other documents where the EIN was used. If you need official verification, follow the IRS process for confirming a previously assigned EIN. The original EIN remains the business's number unless IRS rules require a new one because of a qualifying ownership or structure change.
Common EIN Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying before state formation. Form the LLC first.
- Paying a site because it looks like the IRS. The EIN itself is free directly from the IRS.
- Listing a nominee as responsible party. IRS guidance prohibits this.
- Assuming “no SSN” automatically means phone application. Location determines international phone eligibility.
- Submitting multiple applications. The IRS limits EIN issuance to one per responsible party per day.
- Using stale fax numbers or portal hours. Recheck IRS.gov before applying.
- Applying for a second EIN because the first one is lost. Recover or verify the existing number instead.
- Using the LLC EIN on every form without checking the rule. Disregarded-entity information reporting can require the owner's TIN in some contexts.
Primary IRS Sources & Verification
Application routes, hours, processing estimates and contact details are operational facts that can change. Enjoys-life checked the following IRS primary sources for this August 17, 2026 revision.
This guide is maintained as an educational EIN application resource. Operational facts such as IRS hours, fax numbers, processing estimates and eligibility rules are checked against current IRS primary sources and should be reverified before submission.