# How to get an EIN for your business Source: https://joinopenfile.com/guides/how-to-get-an-ein Index: https://joinopenfile.com/llms.txt You get an EIN by applying to the IRS, and it's free. If you're based in the US and your responsible party has an SSN or ITIN, you can apply online and get the number as soon as the application is approved. Everyone else applies by fax or mail, or by phone if they have no US presence. Updated November 1, 2026 ## Do you need one? An EIN is a federal tax ID for a business. The IRS says you generally need one to hire employees, run a partnership or corporation, or pay certain taxes such as excise taxes. An LLC with two or more owners is treated as a partnership by default, so it needs one. A single-member LLC with no employees and no excise taxes doesn't need one for federal tax purposes. It can use the owner's name and tax ID. The IRS notes that it can still get an EIN to open a bank account or if state law requires one. ## Before you apply Form your LLC or corporation with the state first. The IRS warns that your application may be delayed if you don't. Then identify your responsible party, the person who ultimately owns or controls the company. This has to be a real person, even if the owner is another company. A nominee can't be listed. That means someone who helped form the company but has little or no control over it. Have that person's SSN or ITIN, your entity type and the company's legal name exactly as it appears on your formation document. ## Applying online The IRS tool is for organizations formed in the US or its territories with a principal place of business there. As of November 2026, it's open 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. the next day Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 6 p.m. to midnight on Sunday, all Eastern Time. You have to finish in one session. You can't save your work, and it expires after 15 minutes of inactivity. The IRS allows one EIN per responsible party per day. Print the confirmation letter when you're done. ## If you don't have an SSN or ITIN You can still get an EIN, but the online tool won't work. Fill out Form SS-4. On line 7b, enter foreign or N/A if the responsible party doesn't have and can't get an SSN or ITIN. By fax, the IRS generally returns the EIN within 4 business days. By mail, it takes about 4 weeks. If you have no legal residence, principal place of business or principal office in the US, you can call 267-941-1099 from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern, Monday to Friday. That isn't a toll-free number, and US-based applicants can't get an EIN by phone. We can prepare Form SS-4 for you to sign, then fax it and follow up. See [pricing](https://joinopenfile.com/pricing). ## What it should cost The IRS is direct about this: you never have to pay a fee for an EIN. Any company that charges you, including us, is charging for its own work. If you're comfortable with the form, apply on IRS.gov yourself. If someone applies for you, the IRS requires your signed authorization. ## After you have it Use the EIN on tax filings and to [open a bank account](https://joinopenfile.com/guides/how-to-start-an-llc). You may also need a separate state tax ID, depending on your state's tax rules. If your responsible party changes, tell the IRS within 60 days using Form 8822-B. You don't need a new EIN for a new name or address. Larger changes to ownership or structure can require one. ## Questions How long does it take to get an EIN? Online, the number comes right after approval. By fax, generally within 4 business days. By mail, about 4 weeks. Is an EIN the same as a tax ID? An EIN is a federal tax ID for a business. Your state may issue a separate tax ID if your business owes state taxes. Can I get an EIN before my LLC is approved? You shouldn't. The IRS says to form the entity with the state first, because applying earlier may delay your application. Do I need a new EIN if my sole proprietorship becomes an LLC? It depends. The IRS says a single-member LLC that isn't taxed as a corporation and has no employees or excise tax obligations can keep using the owner's EIN. Other changes can require a new one. Can someone outside the US get an EIN? Yes. They can't use the online tool if the principal place of business is outside the US. They apply by phone, fax or mail with Form SS-4. [Start my business](https://joinopenfile.com/start) $0 + state and processing fees. Takes seconds. ## Sources - [IRS: Get an employer identification number](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/get-an-employer-identification-number) - [IRS: Instructions for Form SS-4](https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iss4) - [IRS: Responsible parties and nominees](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/responsible-parties-and-nominees) - [IRS: Single member limited liability companies](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/single-member-limited-liability-companies) - [IRS: Do you need a new EIN?](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/do-you-need-a-new-ein) ## Keep reading - [How to start an LLC](https://joinopenfile.com/guides/how-to-start-an-llc) - [What is an LLC?](https://joinopenfile.com/guides/what-is-an-llc) - [Can you form an LLC for free?](https://joinopenfile.com/guides/form-an-llc-for-free)