How to Get an EIN Number in 2026: Step-by-Step Guide

You can get an EIN (Employer Identification Number) directly from the IRS website, for free, and usually in a single sitting. The process takes a few minutes once you have the right details in front of you. The catch is that the online form can't be saved, so preparation is what makes it smooth.

Here's what to gather, each step of the online application, and how to avoid the mistakes that send people back to the start.

Do you need an EIN?

Think of an EIN as a Social Security number for your company. It's generally required if you hire employees, run a multi-member LLC, partnership or corporation, or file certain federal business taxes such as employment or excise taxes. Opening a business bank account usually calls for one as well, and many clients and payment platforms will request it.

A sole proprietor or single-member LLC with no employees can often use the owner's Social Security number instead. Many still get an EIN anyway, so they don't have to share their SSN on invoices and forms.

Before you start: what to have ready

Gather these before you open the form:

• The responsible party's SSN or ITIN. The responsible party must be a person, usually the owner, a principal officer or a general partner.
• Your legal business name exactly as registered with your state, plus any trade name you use.
• Business type. Sole proprietor, LLC (and the number of members), corporation, partnership and so on.
• Your business address in the US, and a mailing address if it's different.
• Start date or acquisition date of the business.
• What the business does and what it sells or provides.
• How many employees you expect to hire in the next 12 months, if any.

If you've just formed an LLC or corporation, wait until your state approves it. That way the name and formation date on your EIN match your state records.

Check that you can use the online tool

The IRS online application is for businesses formed in the US or a US territory, with a principal place of business there. You must be the responsible party or their authorized representative, and you need the responsible party's SSN or ITIN.

It's also only open at certain times. According to the IRS, those hours are, in Eastern Time:

If your business is based outside the US, or the responsible party has no SSN or ITIN, you'll apply by phone, fax or mail using Form SS-4 instead. Our guide to registering a US LLC as a non-resident covers that route.

Step-by-step: applying online

Step 1: Open the application on IRS.gov

Go to the IRS website and search for apply for an EIN online. Make sure you're on irs.gov. Many sites look official but charge a fee for something the IRS does for free.

Step 2: Choose your entity type

Select the structure that matches your business, such as sole proprietor, LLC, corporation or partnership. If you pick LLC, you'll be asked how many members it has and, depending on your answers, which state it was formed in.

Step 3: Give your reason for applying

Most new businesses choose the option for starting a new business. Other options cover hiring employees, opening a bank account or a change in structure.

Step 4: Enter the responsible party's details

Add the responsible party's name and SSN or ITIN. Don't list a formation service or other nominee here. The IRS says nominees can't apply for an EIN and shouldn't be named on the application.

Step 5: Add business details

Enter your legal name, any trade name, address, start date, what the business does and how many employees you expect. Take care with spelling, since this becomes part of your IRS record.

Step 6: Review and submit

Check every entry before you submit. If the application is approved, your EIN appears on screen immediately.

Step 7: Save your confirmation letter

Download and print your EIN confirmation letter straight away, and store copies somewhere safe. The IRS issues only one CP 575 notice, so treat it like any other important business document. Banks and lenders often ask to see it.

Rules that trip people up

• The 15-minute timeout. You must finish in one session. The form can't be saved and expires after 15 minutes of inactivity.
• One EIN per day. The IRS issues only one EIN per responsible party per day, so plan ahead if you're setting up more than one business.
• Applying too early. Getting an EIN before your LLC or corporation is approved can leave mismatched details.
• Wrong entity type. Choosing sole proprietor when you've formed an LLC, or the reverse, causes problems later. Match what you filed with your state.
• Paying for it. The IRS is clear that an EIN never costs anything.

When you'll need a new EIN

You don't need a new EIN for every change. Changing your business name or address doesn't require one. You generally need a new EIN when ownership or structure changes, for example when a sole proprietor incorporates or forms a partnership. Electing S corporation tax treatment for an LLC or corporation, on the other hand, doesn't require a new number.

If you lose your EIN

Start with your own records: the confirmation letter, past tax returns, bank account paperwork or business licenses usually show it. If you can't find it, call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. After verifying your identity, the IRS can give you the number and, if needed, send Letter 147C as official proof of your EIN.

What to do after you get your EIN

With your EIN in hand, you can open a business bank account, register for state tax accounts if you need them and set up payroll if you're hiring. Keep the number handy, because you'll use it on tax returns, payment platforms and many business applications from here on.