An EIN is one of the first things your LLC needs after formation, and one of the most misunderstood. Many new business owners confuse it with their Social Security Number, their state tax ID, or think they only need one if they have employees. This guide clears all of that up and walks you through exactly how to get your EIN, free, in minutes.
Quick Answer
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a nine-digit federal tax ID number assigned by the IRS to your LLC. It works like a Social Security Number but for your business. You need it to open a business bank account, file business taxes, and hire employees. US-based LLC owners can get an EIN free from the IRS website in about 10 minutes. Non-US residents apply by fax using Form SS-4.
IN THIS GUIDE
- What is an EIN?
- Why does your LLC need an EIN?
- EIN vs SSN vs state tax ID
- Does a single-member LLC need an EIN?
- How to apply for an EIN online (step by step)
- How to apply if you are a non-US resident
- How long does it take to get an EIN?
- How to find your EIN if you lost it
- Frequently asked questions
What Is an EIN?
An EIN, or Employer Identification Number, is a unique nine-digit number issued by the IRS in the format XX-XXXXXXX. It is the federal tax identification number for your business, similar to how a Social Security Number identifies you personally.
The IRS uses your EIN to track your business's tax filings, payments, and obligations. Banks use it to open business accounts. State agencies use it for business licensing. Vendors and contractors may ask for it when you hire them so they can report payments to the IRS.
Despite the name, you do not need to have employees to get or use an EIN. Any LLC can and should have one, regardless of whether it has any staff.
Why Does Your LLC Need an EIN?
An EIN is required or strongly recommended in virtually every situation where your LLC interacts with a financial institution, government agency, or other business. Here are the most common reasons you need one.
Opening a business bank account
Every bank requires an EIN to open an LLC business checking account. You cannot substitute your personal SSN for an LLC account. Without an EIN, you cannot properly separate personal and business finances, which is essential for maintaining your LLC's liability protection.
Filing LLC taxes
Your LLC's EIN goes on every federal and state tax filing. For a single-member LLC, it appears on your Schedule C. For a multi-member LLC, it appears on Form 1065. If you elect S-Corp taxation, it appears on Form 1120-S. See our complete guide on how an LLC is taxed for a full breakdown.
Hiring employees or contractors
If your LLC hires anyone, you need an EIN to set up payroll, withhold taxes, and issue W-2s or 1099s. Even if you only hire one contractor who earns more than $600 in a year, you need an EIN to file the required 1099-NEC.
Applying for business credit or loans
Lenders and business credit card issuers require your EIN as part of any application. Building business credit separately from your personal credit starts with having an EIN and using it consistently across all business financial accounts.
Protecting your SSN
When you work with clients and vendors as a sole proprietor, you often have to share your SSN on W-9 forms. An EIN lets you use your business tax ID instead, keeping your personal SSN off contractor and vendor records and reducing your risk of identity theft.
EIN vs SSN vs State Tax ID
These three numbers are frequently confused. Here is what each one is and how they differ.
EIN (Employer Identification Number): Issued by the federal IRS. Identifies your business for federal tax purposes. Used across all 50 states. Format: XX-XXXXXXX. This is what most people mean when they say "business tax ID."
SSN (Social Security Number): Issued by the Social Security Administration. Identifies you personally as an individual taxpayer. A sole proprietor with no LLC can use their SSN for business purposes, but once you form an LLC, use your EIN instead. Format: XXX-XX-XXXX.
State Tax ID: Issued by your state's department of revenue or taxation. Used for state income tax, sales tax, and payroll tax at the state level. This is separate from your federal EIN. Not all states require one. Whether you need a state tax ID depends on your state and whether you collect sales tax or have employees.
Key point
Your EIN and state tax ID are two different numbers from two different agencies. Getting your federal EIN from the IRS does not automatically register you for state taxes. Check your state's requirements separately. Brendat is not a tax advisor: consult a CPA for state-specific tax registration guidance.
Does a Single-Member LLC Need an EIN?
Technically, a single-member LLC with no employees is not required by the IRS to have an EIN. The IRS treats a single-member LLC as a disregarded entity, so theoretically the owner's SSN can be used for federal tax purposes.
In practice, you almost always need an EIN anyway. Banks require it to open a business account. Many clients require it to issue 1099s. And using your SSN for business purposes unnecessarily exposes it. Getting an EIN is free, takes 10 minutes, and eliminates all of these problems.
You also need an EIN immediately if your single-member LLC has any employees, files excise taxes, or elects to be taxed as a corporation or S-Corp.
Bottom line
Get an EIN for your LLC, even if you technically do not have to. It is free, instant for US residents, and removes every practical obstacle you would otherwise face with banking, clients, and tax filing.
How to Apply for an EIN Online (Step by Step)
The IRS EIN online application is free and available to US residents with a valid SSN or ITIN. Here is exactly how to do it.
1. Form your LLC first
The IRS requires your LLC to be legally formed before you apply for an EIN. Have your Articles of Organization approved by your state before starting the EIN application. If you have not formed your LLC yet, Brendat handles the full formation process, and our Beginner, Standard, and Premium plans include EIN filing.
2. Go to IRS.gov and find the EIN Assistant
Navigate to IRS.gov and search for "EIN online application" or go directly to the EIN Assistant tool. The online application is only available Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 10 PM Eastern time. It is not available on weekends or federal holidays.
3. Select LLC as your entity type
The application asks what type of entity is applying. Select "Limited Liability Company." You will then be asked how many members your LLC has. Choose one for a single-member LLC or enter the number for a multi-member LLC.
4. Enter your LLC's information
You will need your LLC's legal name exactly as it appears on your Articles of Organization, your LLC's state of formation, your LLC's mailing address, and the name and SSN of the responsible party. The responsible party is the person who controls the LLC, typically the sole member or a managing member.
5. Submit and receive your EIN immediately
After reviewing and submitting the application, the IRS issues your EIN immediately on screen. Save or print this page right away. You will also receive a CP 575 notice by mail within 4 to 6 weeks, which is the official IRS confirmation of your EIN. Keep the CP 575 letter permanently. It is your official proof of EIN assignment.
One EIN per responsible party per day
The IRS limits online EIN applications to one per responsible party (SSN) per day. If you are forming multiple LLCs, you can only get one EIN per day through the online system. Plan accordingly.
How to Apply for an EIN as a Non-US Resident
Non-US residents without an SSN or ITIN cannot use the IRS online EIN application. Instead, you must apply by fax or mail using IRS Form SS-4.
- By fax: Complete Form SS-4 and fax it to the IRS international fax number. Processing typically takes 4 to 6 business days and the IRS faxes your EIN back.
- By mail: Mail your completed Form SS-4 to the IRS. Processing takes 4 to 8 weeks.
- Through Brendat: Brendat's Beginner, Standard, and Premium plans include EIN filing for both US and non-US residents. We handle the Form SS-4 process so you do not have to navigate the IRS fax system from abroad.
Third-party authorization
Non-residents can also authorize a US-based third party with a valid SSN to apply for the EIN on behalf of the LLC. This person completes Line 7b on Form SS-4 with their own SSN as the third-party designee. Brendat can act as your authorized designee through our formation plans.
How Long Does It Take to Get an EIN?
It depends on your application method.
- Online (US residents): Immediate. You receive your EIN the moment you submit the application, available Monday to Friday 7 AM to 10 PM ET.
- By fax (non-US residents): 4 to 6 business days.
- By mail: 4 to 8 weeks.
- Through Brendat: US residents typically receive their EIN within 1 to 2 business days. Non-US residents within 5 to 10 business days via fax.
How to Find Your EIN If You Lost It
Lost your EIN? There are several ways to locate it without applying for a new one. You can only have one EIN per LLC, so you cannot apply for another, you need to find the original.
Check your CP 575 letter
The IRS mails a CP 575 notice to your LLC's address after issuing your EIN. This is the primary official record. Check your LLC's mail archive or document folder first.
Check previous tax returns
Your EIN appears at the top of every federal business tax return (Schedule C, Form 1065, Form 1120-S). Check your prior year's filing for the number.
Check your bank records
Your EIN was required to open your business bank account. Check your original account opening documents or call your bank's business banking line and ask them to confirm the EIN on file for your account.
Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line
Call 800-829-4933. Hours are Monday through Friday 7 AM to 7 PM local time. The IRS representative can verify your EIN after confirming your identity. Have your LLC's legal name, address, and your personal SSN ready. They will not issue a new EIN: they will look up the existing one.
Request a 147C letter
A 147C letter is the IRS's official EIN verification letter for businesses that have lost their CP 575. Call the same IRS number above and request a 147C letter be faxed or mailed to you. This is the accepted substitute for a lost CP 575 and is accepted by banks and government agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an EIN number used for?
An EIN identifies your business for federal tax purposes. You use it to open a business bank account, file federal and state business taxes, hire employees or contractors, apply for business credit, and provide your tax ID to clients and vendors who need to report payments to the IRS. It is the business equivalent of a personal Social Security Number.
Is an EIN the same as a federal tax ID number?
Yes. EIN and federal tax ID number refer to the same thing. Both terms describe the nine-digit number the IRS assigns to your business. You may also see it called an FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number). All of these terms refer to the same number.
Can I use my personal SSN instead of an EIN for my LLC?
In limited cases, a single-member LLC with no employees may technically use the owner's SSN for federal tax purposes. However, banks require an EIN to open a business account, and using your SSN for business purposes unnecessarily exposes it. Getting an EIN is free and takes 10 minutes. There is no reason not to get one.
Does an LLC need a new EIN if it changes members?
It depends on the change. Adding a member to a single-member LLC converting to multi-member may require a new EIN. Removing a member from a multi-member LLC that becomes single-member may also require one. Routine changes like updating an address or changing your LLC's name do not require a new EIN. Check IRS guidance or consult a CPA for your specific situation.
Can I get an EIN for a new LLC before it is officially formed?
No. The IRS requires your LLC to be legally formed (Articles of Organization approved by your state) before issuing an EIN. Apply for your EIN only after receiving your state-approved formation documents.
Can I have more than one EIN for the same LLC?
No. Each LLC is assigned exactly one EIN and it stays with that entity for its lifetime. If you accidentally applied for a second EIN, contact the IRS to close the duplicate. You cannot use two EINs for the same legal entity.
What is a CP 575 letter?
The CP 575 is the official IRS notice confirming your EIN assignment. It is mailed to your LLC's address 4 to 6 weeks after your EIN is issued. Keep it permanently. If you lose it, you can request a 147C letter from the IRS as an official substitute, which is accepted by banks and government agencies.
About the Author
Brendat Editorial publishes practical guidance for founders navigating business formation, compliance, and growth in the U.S.