How to Get an EIN: Step-by-Step Guide (It Takes 10 Minutes)

# How to Get an EIN: Step-by-Step Guide (It Takes 10 Minutes)

An EIN — Employer Identification Number — is a nine-digit number the IRS assigns to your business. Think of it as a Social Security number, but for your company.

Getting one is free. It takes about 10 minutes. And you can do it online without talking to anyone.

Yet somehow, services charge $79 to $200+ to "help" you get one. They're charging you for something you can do yourself faster than it takes to order coffee. Don't pay anyone for this.

Here's exactly how to do it — the exact questions they'll ask, the common mistakes people make, and what to do the second you get your number.

What Is an EIN (And Do You Need One?)

An EIN (also called a Federal Tax Identification Number or FEIN) is your business's unique identifier with the IRS. You'll use it for:

• Opening a business bank account — most banks require it
• Filing business tax returns
• Hiring employees
• Applying for business credit or loans
• Setting up payroll
• Working with vendors (they'll ask for your EIN on W-9 forms)
• Opening a business credit card

Do You Actually Need One?

You MUST get an EIN if you:

• Have employees (or plan to hire)
• Operate as a corporation, partnership, or multi-member LLC
• File employment, excise, or alcohol/tobacco/firearms tax returns
• Withhold taxes on income paid to a non-resident alien
• Have a Keogh plan
• Are involved with trusts, estates, non-profits, farmers' cooperatives, or plan administrators

You SHOULD get an EIN even if you're not required to (single-member LLC, sole prop):

• To avoid using your SSN on business documents, invoices, and W-9 forms
• To open a business bank account (many banks require it)
• To build business credit separately from personal credit
• To establish your business as a separate entity

Bottom line: If you've formed an LLC or are running any kind of business, just get an EIN. It's free and takes 10 minutes. There's no reason not to.

EIN vs SSN vs ITIN: What's the Difference?

Key point: Your EIN doesn't replace your SSN. You still file your personal taxes with your SSN. The EIN is for business activities. Having an EIN means you can give clients and vendors your EIN instead of your personal SSN — which is a privacy win.

How to Apply Online: The Exact Walkthrough

The IRS online EIN application is at: [IRS.gov/EIN](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online)

Available: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time.

Yes, the IRS has business hours for their website. It's 2026 and they close their web application at 10 PM. It is what it is.

Here's every screen you'll see and exactly what to enter:

Screen 1: Select Entity Type

You'll choose from:

• Sole Proprietor / Individual — If you're a solo freelancer without an LLC
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) — If you've formed an LLC
• Corporation — If you've incorporated (C-Corp or S-Corp)
• Partnership — If you have a multi-member LLC taxed as a partnership
• Trust / Estate / Non-Profit / Church — Specific entity types

Most common for small businesses: LLC or Sole Proprietor.

Important: Choose what your entity actually is, not what you want it to be. If you formed an LLC, select LLC — even if you plan to elect S-Corp taxation later. The entity type is about your legal structure, not your tax election.

Screen 2: Number of Members (LLC Only)

If you selected LLC, they'll ask how many members:

• Single-member LLC → 1
• Multi-member LLC → enter the actual number

Screen 3: Why Are You Applying?

Options include:

• Started new business
• Hired employees
• Banking purposes
• Changed type of organization
• Purchased active business
• Created a trust
• Other

For most new businesses: Select "Started new business."

If you already have an established business and just need an EIN for banking, "Banking purposes" works too. The answer here doesn't really matter for the outcome — you get the same EIN either way.

Screen 4: Responsible Party

The "responsible party" is the person who owns or controls the entity. For most small businesses, that's you.

You'll enter:

• Full legal name (exactly as it appears on your Social Security card)
• SSN or ITIN (the IRS needs this to verify your identity)
• Your role — Member, Owner, Managing Member, etc.

One responsible party per EIN application. If you have partners, list the one with primary control.

Screen 5: Business Information

• Legal name of business — The exact name on your Articles of Organization (or your personal name if sole proprietorship)
• Trade name / DBA — If you do business under a different name
• Business address — Physical address (PO boxes work for mailing address but not principal business address)
• County and state — Where the business is located
• Mailing address — Can be different from business address

Screen 6: Business Details

• Type of business — Select from a dropdown (consulting, retail, construction, etc.). Pick the closest match.
• Primary activity — Brief description. "Freelance graphic design" or "Online retail sales" or "IT consulting." Keep it simple.
• Date business started — The date you formed your LLC or started operating (whichever came first)
• Closing month of accounting year — December for most businesses (calendar year). If you have a specific reason for a fiscal year, your accountant already told you.

Screen 7: Employee Information

• Do you expect to have employees in the next 12 months? — Yes or No
• If yes, when do you expect to pay wages? — Give a rough date
• Highest number of employees expected in the next 12 months — Give your best estimate

If you're solo with no plans to hire, answer No and 0. You can always get new payroll-related registrations later.

Screen 8: Confirmation and EIN

Review everything. If it looks right, submit.

You'll receive your EIN immediately on screen. The IRS will display your nine-digit EIN (formatted XX-XXXXXXX).

Save this page. Print it. Screenshot it.

The IRS will also mail you a confirmation letter (CP 575) in about 4–6 weeks. But you can start using your EIN immediately — you don't need to wait for the letter.

📋 [Download the EIN Application Prep Sheet →](/downloads/how-to-get-ein-business/ein-application-prep-sheet.pdf) — Fill in your answers before you go to IRS.gov so you don't get timed out.

If You Can't Apply Online (Non-US Citizens, International)

The online application is only available to applicants with a US SSN or ITIN and a US address. If you don't meet those requirements, you have three options:

Option 1: Form SS-4 by Fax

1. Download Form SS-4 from the IRS website
2. Fill it out completely
3. Fax to: (855) 641-6935 (within the US) or (304) 707-9471 (international)
4. You'll receive your EIN by fax within 4 business days

Option 2: Form SS-4 by Mail

1. Fill out Form SS-4
2. Mail to:

Internal Revenue Service

Attn: EIN Operation

Cincinnati, OH 45999

1. Processing time: 4–5 weeks

Option 3: Phone Application

1. Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line: (267) 941-1099 (not toll-free)
2. Available Monday–Friday, 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM Eastern Time
3. The agent will walk you through Form SS-4 questions
4. You'll receive your EIN at the end of the call

For international applicants: The phone option is often fastest. Be prepared for hold times, and have all your information ready.

When You Need a NEW EIN

You don't need a new EIN every time something changes. Here's when you do and don't:

You NEED a New EIN If:

• You change your business structure — Sole proprietorship to LLC, LLC to corporation, partnership to corporation, etc.
• A new partnership is formed — Even if the same people are involved
• A corporation receives a new charter — From the Secretary of State
• You're a sole proprietor who incorporates
• You're a sole proprietor who takes on a partner — It's now a partnership, which is a different entity
• You create a trust (and receive funding)
• Estate administration — An estate needs its own EIN

You Do NOT Need a New EIN If:

• You change your business name — Just update the IRS (file your return with the new name, or write to the IRS)
• You change your business address — Use Form 8822-B
• You add or remove LLC members (in most cases)
• You elect S-Corp taxation — Same EIN, different tax treatment
• You change your registered agent
• You open a new location
• You change your bank account

The rule of thumb: If you're creating a fundamentally different legal entity, you need a new EIN. If you're changing details about the same entity, you don't.

Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

1. Applying Before Your LLC Is Approved

Don't apply for an EIN until your state has approved your Articles of Organization. The IRS asks for your entity's legal name and formation date — if you haven't been approved yet, you don't officially have an entity.

Fix: Wait for your approval confirmation, then apply. It usually only takes a few days to a few weeks depending on your state.

2. Selecting the Wrong Entity Type

If you formed an LLC, select "LLC." Not "Sole Proprietor" (even though single-member LLCs are taxed similarly) and not "Corporation" (even if you plan to elect S-Corp later).

Fix: Choose the entity type that matches your legal formation documents. Tax elections come later.

3. Applying Twice

The IRS system doesn't prevent you from applying for a second EIN. If you accidentally apply twice, you'll end up with two EINs for the same entity — which creates confusion with banks, tax filings, and the IRS.

Fix: If this happens, use the first EIN you received and write to the IRS to close the second one. Include both EINs, your business name, and an explanation.

4. Misspelling Your Legal Name

Your EIN is tied to the exact legal name on the application. If you type "Jason Garcia LLC" but your Articles of Organization say "Garcia Consulting LLC," you'll have problems opening a bank account (the names won't match).

Fix: Copy the exact name from your Articles of Organization. Character for character.

5. Getting Timed Out

The IRS online application has a 15-minute session timeout. If you're looking up information mid-application, you might lose your progress.

Fix: Use our EIN Application Prep Sheet to gather all your answers before you start. The whole application takes 5 minutes when you're prepared.

6. Losing Your EIN

No confirmation letter, no screenshot, no record. Now you need it for a bank application and can't find it.

Fix: If you lose your EIN, you can:

• Check previous tax returns (it's on every return you've filed)
• Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at (800) 829-4933 (Mon–Fri, 7AM–7PM local time)
• Check the confirmation letter (CP 575) if you saved it

Better fix: Save your EIN confirmation the moment you receive it. Screenshot, print, and store it in your business documents.

What to Do Immediately After Getting Your EIN

You have your number. Here's your next 48 hours:

1. Save Your EIN Confirmation

Screenshot it. Print it. Save the PDF. Email it to yourself. Put it in your business file. You will need this number for everything.

2. Open a Business Bank Account

This is the single most important next step. Your EIN + Articles of Organization + Operating Agreement + your ID = everything you need to open an account.

At Holdings, we make this fast. Apply online, get approved quickly, and start using your account. Free business checking, 1.75% APY on your balance, AI bookkeeping that categorizes every transaction automatically. Banking partner i3 Bank, Member FDIC, up to $3M in FDIC coverage.

Open your Holdings account →

For a deep dive on what to look for: How to Open a Business Bank Account.

3. Update Your State Registration

Some states require you to add your EIN to your state business registration. Check your Secretary of State's website.

4. Set Up Your Accounting

Start tracking income and expenses from day one. Every transaction that goes through your business account should be categorized. Holdings' expense tracker handles this automatically — but whatever you use, don't wait.

5. Get a W-9 Ready

Clients will ask you to fill out a W-9 before they pay you. This form asks for your business name, address, EIN, and entity type. Have one filled out and saved so you can send it immediately when asked.

Check out our W-9 Generator to create one instantly.

6. Apply for Business Licenses (If Needed)

Depending on your city, county, and industry, you may need local business licenses. These often require your EIN. Check:

• City business license office
• County clerk's office
• State professional licensing board (if you're in a licensed profession)

7. Register for State Taxes (If Applicable)

If you're selling products (sales tax), hiring employees (state withholding), or operating in a state with specific business taxes, you'll need to register with your state's department of revenue. Your EIN is required for most of these registrations.

EIN FAQ

How much does an EIN cost?

Free. Always. If a website is charging you, they're adding a markup for filling out a free government form. Apply directly at IRS.gov/EIN.

How long does it take?

Online: Instant. You get your EIN on screen at the end of the application.

Fax: 4 business days.

Mail: 4–5 weeks.

Can I apply on weekends?

No. The online application is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time. Plan accordingly.

Can I apply for multiple EINs?

Yes — if they're for different entities. One EIN per entity. You cannot get two EINs for the same LLC.

Does my EIN expire?

No. Once assigned, your EIN is permanent — even if you close the business. The IRS doesn't reuse EINs.

I'm a sole proprietor without an LLC. Do I need an EIN?

Not required, but recommended. Without an EIN, you'll use your SSN on W-9 forms, client invoices, and other business documents. An EIN protects your personal Social Security number.

I got an EIN but haven't used it yet. Is it still valid?

Yes. EINs don't expire from non-use. However, the IRS may close your account after several years of inactivity if no tax returns are filed. The EIN itself remains permanently assigned to your entity.

Can I look up someone else's EIN?

Not through the IRS. EINs for nonprofits are public information (check their Form 990 on GuideStar). For other businesses, you'd need to ask them directly.

The Bottom Line

Getting an EIN is the easiest step in starting your business. It's free, it takes 10 minutes, and you can do it online. Don't overthink it. Don't pay someone else to do it.

Here's the flow:

1. Make sure your LLC is approved first
2. Go to IRS.gov/EIN
3. Answer the questions (use our prep sheet so you don't get timed out)
4. Get your EIN instantly on screen
5. Save the confirmation
6. Open a business bank account immediately

That's it. No mystery, no middleman, no fee.

And once you have your EIN and are ready to open your account — Holdings is here. Free checking, 1.75% APY, AI bookkeeping, up to $3M FDIC coverage. We built it for exactly this moment in your business journey. Banking partner i3 Bank, Member FDIC.

Open your Holdings account →

📋 [Download the EIN Application Prep Sheet →](/downloads/how-to-get-ein-business/ein-application-prep-sheet.pdf) — Fill in your answers before going to IRS.gov so you don't get timed out.

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*This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation. Holdings is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by i3 Bank, Member FDIC.*

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More in this series:

• Starting a Business: The Complete Guide
• How to Start an LLC: State-by-State Guide
• How to Open a Business Bank Account
• Self-Employment Tax Explained

— Archer