How to Get an EIN for Your LLC (Free, in About 5 Minutes)

What Is an EIN and Why Your LLC Needs One

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a nine-digit number the IRS assigns to identify your business for tax purposes — think of it as a Social Security Number for your LLC. Format: XX-XXXXXXX.

You need an EIN to:

• Open a business bank account — every bank requires one
• Hire employees — payroll and employment taxes run through it
• File business tax returns — partnership returns (Form 1065), employment taxes, excise taxes
• Apply for business licenses and permits in most states
• Establish business credit — credit bureaus track your business by EIN

Single-member LLCs with no employees can technically use the owner's SSN instead of an EIN — but getting one anyway is strongly recommended. It keeps your SSN off invoices, W-9s, and vendor forms, and it's the foundation of separating your business identity from your personal one.

Who Needs an EIN

The IRS rules are clearer than most articles make them sound. Here's the complete requirement matrix:

Rule of thumb: the moment your business becomes a separate legal entity (LLC or corporation), get an EIN. It's free, instant, and removes every downstream question. Two situations worth calling out specifically. First, if you're a single-member LLC owner thinking "I'll skip it since it's optional" — don't. Every bank, payment processor, and client that asks for a W-9 will otherwise see your personal SSN, and once that number is on a document you can't un-send it. Second, if you plan to hire within the next year, get the EIN now rather than during onboarding crunch — payroll setup, state employer registration, and workers' comp all reference it, and doing them in sequence beats doing them in a panic.

How to Apply for an EIN: The 3 Free Methods

All three methods are completely free — the only differences are speed and who can use them. Pick the first one you qualify for: online if you have an SSN or ITIN, fax or phone if you don't.

Method 1:Apply Online (Fastest — Instant)

The online application at IRS.gov is the right path for anyone who has an SSN or ITIN. It's available Monday–Friday, 7am–10pm Eastern time, and you receive your EIN immediately at the end of the session.

1. Go to the official page. Search "apply for EIN online" and use only the IRS.gov link. Third-party sites charge $50–$200 for what the IRS does free.
2. Verify your entity type. For an LLC, select "Limited Liability Company." Note: the application asks for the state where the LLC was formed — have your Articles of Organization handy.
3. Enter the responsible party. This is the person who controls the entity — typically the owner. You'll need their SSN or ITIN. The IRS requires a real individual here, not another entity.
4. Answer the tax questions. For a standard LLC: "Does this entity have employees?" (usually No at first), and "What is the principal business activity?" — pick the closest NAICS-style category.
5. Choose your tax year. Calendar year is the default and right for almost everyone.
6. Review and submit. Your EIN appears on screen immediately. Download the confirmation letter (CP 575) as a PDF — you'll need it for the bank.

Critical: save the PDF confirmation before closing the browser. The IRS will not email it again, and if you lose it, you can only retrieve the number by calling — the letter itself is not reissued.

Method 2:Apply by Fax (Form SS-4)

If you can't use the online system — most commonly because the responsible party has no SSN or ITIN — fax is the fallback:

1. Download Form SS-4 from IRS.gov and complete it. Line 7b (SSN/ITIN of responsible party) can be left blank for foreign applicants.
2. Fax it to the appropriate IRS fax number (listed in the SS-4 instructions — it differs for domestic vs. international applicants).
3. If you include a return fax number, the IRS typically faxes your EIN back within about 4 business days.

Fax processing times vary with IRS workload; during busy periods it can stretch to two weeks. Write "EIN Application" on the cover sheet and keep your transmission confirmation.

Method 3:Apply by Phone (International Applicants Only)

The IRS phone line for EINs — 267-941-1099 (not toll-free) — is reserved for international applicants: people forming US entities who have no SSN, ITIN, or US fax capability. Hours are 6am–11pm Eastern, Monday–Friday.

The person calling must be authorized to receive the EIN and must be able to answer every SS-4 question. The agent assigns the number during the call. Have your formation details ready: legal entity name, state of formation, business address, responsible party details, and principal activity.

Domestic applicants with an SSN should use the online system — the phone line will redirect you there.

Getting an EIN as a Non-US Owner (No SSN or ITIN)

This is the most common stumbling point for international founders — including the many Pakistan, India, UAE, and UK-based owners forming US LLCs. Here's the honest picture:

• The online application won't work for you. It requires the responsible party to have an SSN or ITIN, and there's no workaround.
• Your options are fax or phone. Complete Form SS-4 with line 7b blank (or write "FOREIGN"), and either fax it or call the international line. The phone route gets you the EIN same-day if you can reach an agent.
• You do NOT need an ITIN first. An ITIN is for filing personal tax returns; the EIN application accepts foreign applicants without one. Don't pay services that insist you need both.
• You do NOT need to be a US resident or citizen. Non-residents can own 100% of a US LLC and obtain an EIN for it.

Timeline reality: fax applications from abroad currently take roughly 4–14 business days depending on IRS backlog. The phone line is faster but can involve hold times. See our non-resident LLC walkthrough for the full formation sequence including banking.

Common EIN Application Mistakes to Avoid

1. Applying before the LLC exists. The IRS asks for your legal entity name and formation date. Form the LLC first, then apply — a mismatch can cause bank rejections later.
2. Using a third-party paid service. The EIN is free at IRS.gov. Any site charging for it is selling convenience, not access — and some are outright scams.
3. Entering the wrong responsible party. It must be an individual with control of the entity, not your formation service or registered agent. Fixing this later requires a letter to the IRS.
4. Losing the confirmation letter. Download the CP 575 PDF immediately. If lost, call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line (800-829-4933) to retrieve the number — but the letter won't be reissued.
5. Applying twice. Duplicate applications for the same entity create duplicate EINs and a cleanup headache. Check your records before reapplying.
6. Thinking the EIN activates taxes. The EIN identifies you; it doesn't choose your tax treatment. A single-member LLC is still a disregarded entity by default; S-corp election requires a separate Form 2553.

What to Do Right After Getting Your EIN

The EIN unlocks the next steps in your formation sequence:

1. Open your business bank account. Bring your Articles of Organization, EIN confirmation, and operating agreement. Do this within days — commingling personal and business funds is the top way owners weaken their liability protection.
2. Update your formation records. Store the EIN with your Articles, operating agreement, and state filing receipts in one place (a dedicated folder or password manager note).
3. Register for state taxes. Sales tax permits and employer registrations use your EIN. Your state's revenue department handles these — links are on each state page.
4. Set up payroll if hiring. Your EIN is the ID on every employment tax filing. Most owners use a payroll service rather than filing by hand.
5. Use the EIN, not your SSN, on business documents. W-9s, vendor applications, lease agreements, and invoices should all carry the EIN.

EIN vs ITIN vs SSN: The Differences Explained

These three numbers get confused constantly, so here's the clean breakdown:

They're not interchangeable. Your LLC's EIN never replaces your personal SSN/ITIN, and your personal number never replaces the entity's EIN. Banks will ask for both: the EIN for the entity and the SSN/ITIN of the person opening the account. The most common confusion is between ITIN and EIN for non-US owners: an ITIN identifies you personally for filing a US personal tax return, while an EIN identifies your LLC. For the standard foreign-owned single-member LLC setup, you need the LLC's EIN but not a personal ITIN — the entity's Form 5472/1120 filings cover your federal obligations. You'd only pursue an ITIN (Form W-7, 7–11 weeks processing) if your situation generates a personal US tax filing requirement. Full details on that path are in our non-resident LLC walkthrough.

How Much Does an EIN Cost?

No. The IRS charges nothing for an EIN, through any method — online, fax, or phone. This is one of the few government processes with zero fees and no middlemen needed.

What you'll see instead:

• Formation services bundling "EIN acquisition" for $50–$99. They're filling out the same free form for you. Convenient if you're already paying them, but never necessary.
• Scam sites mimicking the IRS. Search results often show paid lookalike sites above the real one. The only real application is at IRS.gov — check the URL before entering anything.

If anyone asks you to pay for an EIN itself (not for a bundled service you chose), walk away.

When You Need a New EIN (and When You Don't)

One of the most common EIN questions: does this change to my business require a new number? The IRS rules are specific, and getting this wrong in either direction causes problems — a duplicate EIN splits your tax history, while reusing a dead entity's number attaches your activity to someone else's record.

You DO Need a New EIN If:

• You form a new entity. Converting a sole proprietorship to an LLC, or forming a second LLC, each gets its own EIN.
• You incorporate or elect S-corp status. A sole proprietorship or partnership that incorporates needs a new EIN. (Note: an existing LLC electing S-corp taxation keeps its EIN — only the tax treatment changes.)
• You buy or inherit a business. The entity changes hands as a going concern; the new owner operates under a new EIN rather than the seller's.
• You terminate a partnership and start a new one. A new partnership = new EIN.

You Do NOT Need a New EIN If:

• You change your business name
• You change your business address or responsible party
• You add a "doing business as" (DBA) name
• Your LLC elects S-corp or C-corp tax treatment (the entity is unchanged)
• You add or remove members in a multi-member LLC (in most cases)

For changes that don't require a new EIN, you simply notify the IRS — usually by writing to the campus where you file, or by noting the change on your next return. The number itself is permanent for the life of the entity.

EIN and Your State Registrations

Your EIN is the connective tissue between your federal and state obligations. After you get it, these state-level steps typically reference it:

• State tax registration. When you register for sales tax, use tax, or employer taxes with your state's revenue department, the application asks for your federal EIN. This links your state tax account to your federal identity.
• Annual reports. Many states ask for your EIN on the annual report or Statement of Information — it's how they match your filing to the right entity.
• Business licenses. City and county license applications almost always require it.
• State employer registration. If you hire, your state workforce agency uses your EIN alongside a separate state employer account number.

Keep your EIN confirmation with your state filing records — when a license renewal or bank review asks for both your formation documents and your EIN, you'll want them in one place.

Protecting Your EIN From Misuse

An EIN is less sensitive than an SSN, but it's not harmless in the wrong hands. Fraudsters use stolen EINs to file fake employment tax returns, open fraudulent credit lines in your business's name, or submit phony 1099s. Here's how to reduce the risk:

• Share it selectively. Your EIN belongs on W-9s, bank forms, tax returns, and license applications — not on public web pages, social media, or casual email threads. Unlike your state registry info, you control where it appears.
• Watch for IRS notices you didn't trigger. A letter about a tax return you never filed, or an employment tax balance you don't recognize, is the classic sign someone is misusing your EIN. Respond immediately — the IRS has a dedicated process for business identity theft (Form 14039-B).
• Monitor your business credit. Services like Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business let you watch for new credit inquiries against your EIN. A sudden inquiry you didn't authorize deserves a follow-up call.
• Be careful with W-9 requests. Legitimate clients ask for W-9s; phishing emails also ask for W-9s. Verify the requester before sending, and never send your EIN in response to an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS — the IRS initiates contact by mail, not email.

If you suspect misuse, file Form 14039-B (Business Identity Theft Affidavit) with the IRS and flag it with your state's revenue department. Recovery is straightforward when caught early — the damage compounds when ignored.

Quick Reference: EIN Facts at a Glance

Bookmark this table: it answers the vast majority of EIN questions we see, and every figure here reflects the IRS's published procedures as of this page's last verification.

Frequently Asked Questions