An Employer Identification Number — EIN for short — is a nine-digit tax identification number assigned to your business by the IRS. Think of it as the Social Security Number for your business. You need one to open a business bank account, build EIN-only business credit, hire employees, file business taxes, and apply for business licenses.
The good news: getting an EIN is completely free, takes less than 10 minutes, and can be done entirely online. Here is the exact process, step by step.
Before you start: You must have a valid Social Security Number (or ITIN) to apply online. You must be the responsible party — meaning the individual who owns or controls the business. And you can only apply for one EIN per day using the same SSN. Have your business information ready before you begin.
Step 1: Go Directly to the IRS Website
The only place to apply for an EIN for free is directly at IRS.gov. Navigate to the official IRS EIN application page at irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online.
Do not pay any third-party service to do this for you. Many websites charge $50–$300 to "file for your EIN." They are simply filling out the same free IRS form and marking up the service. The IRS application is free, instant, and takes 10 minutes.
Warning: If you search "get EIN number" you will see paid services in the ads. Scroll past them. Only trust a URL that starts with irs.gov.
Step 2: Click "Apply Online Now"
On the IRS EIN page, click the "Apply Online Now" button. This opens the EIN Assistant — a guided interview that walks you through the application. The session will time out after 15 minutes of inactivity, so complete it in one sitting. You cannot save progress and return later.
The application is only available Monday through Friday, 7am to 10pm Eastern Time. If you try to apply outside those hours, the system will be unavailable.
Step 3: Select Your Business Entity Type
The first screen asks what type of entity is applying. Select the one that matches your business structure:
- Sole Proprietor — You run the business as an individual with no formal legal entity. The simplest structure but offers no liability protection.
- LLC — Limited Liability Company. The most popular structure for small business owners. Offers personal liability protection and pass-through taxation.
- Corporation (S-Corp or C-Corp) — More formal structure. S-Corp is common for small businesses seeking tax advantages. C-Corp is standard for businesses that may seek outside investment.
- Partnership — Two or more owners. Select this if your business has multiple members and no formal LLC or corporation structure.
- Trust, Estate, or Other — For non-business entities. Most small business owners will not select this.
FiStarr note: If you are applying for an EIN specifically to build business credit, the entity type matters significantly. An LLC or Corporation gives your business the credibility that lenders and vendors look for. A sole proprietorship EIN is linked directly to your SSN and does not provide the same separation that makes EIN-only credit possible. Read our EIN-only business credit guide for the full picture.
Step 4: Answer the Reason for Applying
The next screen asks why you are requesting an EIN. For most new businesses, you will select "Started a new business." Other options include:
- Hired or will hire employees
- Banking purposes (common if you just need it for a business bank account)
- Changed type of organization
- Purchased going business
- Created a trust or estate
Select the reason that most accurately reflects your situation. If you are forming a new LLC or corporation and need the EIN to open a bank account and build business credit, "Started a new business" is correct.
Step 5: Enter Your Business Information
You will now be asked to provide information about your business. Have these details ready before you start:
- Legal name of the business — Exactly as it appears on your formation documents (LLC or corporation) or as you operate under if a sole proprietor
- Trade name / DBA — If your business operates under a name different from the legal name
- Business address — Physical address, not a P.O. box (for the principal place of business)
- Mailing address — If different from the physical address
- County and state where the business is located
- Business start date — The date you began or plan to begin operating
- Closing month of your accounting year — Most businesses use December
- Number of employees expected in the next 12 months — Enter 0 if you have none
- Principal activity — What your business primarily does (e.g., consulting, retail, construction)
- Principal product or service — A brief description
Step 6: Enter the Responsible Party's Information
The IRS defines the "responsible party" as the individual who owns or controls the entity, or who exercises ultimate effective control over it. For most small businesses this is you — the owner. You will enter:
- Your legal name
- Your Social Security Number or ITIN
- Your address (if different from the business address)
This information is used by the IRS for identification purposes only. It does not appear on the EIN itself, and it does not affect the EIN-only nature of your business credit file once the number is issued.
Step 7: Review and Submit
The final screen shows a summary of everything you have entered. Review every field carefully before submitting. Common errors that can cause problems later include:
- Misspelling the legal business name (this must match your bank records and vendor applications exactly)
- Wrong entity type selected
- Incorrect business address (this should match what you use everywhere — IRS, state filings, Google Business, bank accounts)
Once you are satisfied everything is accurate, click Submit.
Step 8: Receive Your EIN Immediately
As soon as you submit, the IRS will display your EIN on the confirmation screen. Write it down immediately and save this page. You will also receive a confirmation notice (CP 575) by mail within 4–5 weeks, but your EIN is valid and active the moment it appears on screen.
You can also choose to download and print your EIN confirmation letter directly from the confirmation page. This PDF serves as your official EIN letter and will be requested by banks, vendors, and credit bureaus when you open accounts.
Save everything: Download the EIN confirmation letter as a PDF and store it somewhere permanent. Banks, business credit vendors, and the credit bureaus will ask for it repeatedly. You do not want to be hunting for it six months later.
Step 9: Use Your EIN to Build Business Credit
Once you have your EIN, the real work begins. Here is the order of operations for turning it into a fundable business credit profile:
- Open a business bank account using your EIN and business formation documents. The account should be in your business legal name exactly.
- Register with Dun & Bradstreet to activate your DUNS number and open your D&B business credit file.
- Open your Experian Business and Equifax Business files by applying for starter vendor accounts that report to those bureaus.
- Apply for Net-30 vendor accounts — suppliers who extend 30-day payment terms and report to the business bureaus. These are the foundation of your Paydex score.
- Keep all registrations consistent — business name, address, phone, and EIN must match everywhere: IRS, your state, your bank, D&B, every vendor application, and your website.
Consistency is everything: Business credit bureaus use your EIN and business address to verify your file. If your address on your bank account differs from your state filing by even one character ("St." vs "Street"), it can split your credit file and delay your profile from building correctly.
What If You Already Have an EIN?
If you have an existing EIN but cannot find your confirmation letter, you can retrieve your EIN several ways:
- Check old tax returns — Your EIN appears on every federal business tax return you have filed
- Check your bank — Any business bank account you opened with the EIN will have it on file
- Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933, Monday–Friday, 7am–7pm local time. They can verify your EIN if you can confirm your identity
- Check your original CP 575 letter if you kept the physical mail confirmation
Common Questions
Do I need an EIN if I am a sole proprietor?
You are not required to have one unless you have employees or file certain tax returns. However, having an EIN lets you open a business bank account without using your SSN, adds a layer of privacy, and is a prerequisite for building a business credit profile — even as a sole proprietor.
Can I get an EIN for a new LLC before it is officially formed?
Technically, no — the IRS will ask for your entity type and formation date. However, in practice you can apply the day you file your LLC formation documents with your state, before they are formally approved. The EIN will be issued, and the LLC will retroactively be valid as of its formation date.
Is there any cost?
No. The IRS charges nothing for an EIN. If any website is charging you, they are marking up a free government service. Apply only at IRS.gov.
How long does an EIN stay active?
An EIN is permanent. Even if you close your business, the EIN is never reissued to another entity. If you reopen or restructure the same business later, you use the same EIN.
Can a single person have multiple EINs?
Yes — one EIN per business entity. If you own multiple LLCs or corporations, each one gets its own EIN. Each is also a separate business credit file, which can be a powerful strategy for business credit building.