How to Get an EIN from the IRS

A bank, a client or a payroll service asked for an EIN, and the search results are full of services charging to obtain one. The IRS page for the online tool states it plainly: the number comes directly from the IRS in minutes for free, and no fee is ever required.

Apply on the IRS site, not a paid lookalike

Start at the IRS page for getting an employer identification number, which warns readers to beware of websites that charge for an EIN and states that a fee is never required. The IRS employer identification number overview says an EIN is needed to have employees, pay employment or excise taxes, or withhold on certain income, and to operate a partnership, LLC, corporation, tax exempt organization, estate or trust. It adds that anyone who does not need one federally may still request one for banking or state tax purposes.

Form the entity before applying

The IRS page says a corporation or LLC should be registered with the state first, or the application may be delayed. The Instructions for Form SS-4 add that an EIN is for business activities only and should not be used in place of a Social Security number or ITIN.

Apply inside the hours the tool is open

The IRS page lists the tool's availability in Eastern Time as Monday through Friday 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. the next day, Saturday 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday 6:00 p.m. to midnight, as of September 2026. It also says the application must be finished in one session, cannot be saved, and expires after 15 minutes of inactivity.

Name the true responsible party

The IRS page on responsible parties and nominees says the responsible party must be a person rather than an entity, apart from government entities, and defines the role as someone who owns, controls or exercises effective control over the entity. It says nominees cannot apply and should not be listed on Form SS-4. The application page says the responsible party's SSN or ITIN is needed, and the Form SS-4 instructions say issuances are limited to one per responsible party per day across every method.

Save the confirmation letter before closing the page

The IRS page says an approved application produces the EIN immediately online and directs applicants to print the confirmation letter. The Form SS-4 instructions say online applicants can view, print and save the EIN assignment notice at the end of the session.

If you cannot apply online. The IRS overview page lists faxing Form SS-4 to 855-641-6935, with the EIN faxed back in about 4 business days when a fax number is supplied, or mailing it to the EIN Operation in Cincinnati for an EIN in roughly 4 weeks. Applicants based outside the United States are directed to apply by phone at 267-941-1099, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern time.

If the number is lost later. The IRS overview page lists three ways to confirm an EIN: an entity transcript, a digital CP575 through Business Tax Account, or a call to the business and specialty tax line to request Letter 147C.

Sources. Get an EIN, EIN overview, Responsible parties and nominees, Instructions for Form SS-4, About Form SS-4.