// Formation Guide
How to Get Your EIN from the IRS (15 Minutes, Free)
Your EIN is your business's Social Security number. You need it for bank accounts, taxes, hiring, and credit. It's free and takes 15 minutes. Don't pay anyone to do this for you.
What an EIN Is and Why You Need One
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit number the IRS assigns to your business for tax identification. Think of it as your business's Social Security number — it identifies your entity for everything tax-related.
You need an EIN to open a business bank account, file business tax returns, hire employees, apply for business credit cards and loans, and pay vendors who require a W-9. Even if you never plan to hire anyone, you need an EIN. The "employer" in the name is misleading — every business entity needs one.
Services charge $50–$200 to "file your EIN application." The IRS charges $0. The application takes 15 minutes. You get your number immediately. Anyone charging you for this is charging you to fill out a free government form. Save your money.
Before You Apply
Have these ready before you start the IRS application:
Your SSN or ITIN — the IRS needs to identify the "responsible party" (you). This is the person who controls, manages, or directs the entity.
Your LLC formation documents — specifically, you need to know the legal name of your LLC, the state it was formed in, and the date of formation. This should be on your Articles of Organization.
Your business address — the physical address of the business. This can be your home address if you work from home. It cannot be a P.O. box.
The Application: Step by Step
Go to IRS.gov EIN application page. Click "Apply Online Now." The application is available Monday–Friday, 7am–10pm Eastern. Yes, the IRS website has business hours.
Select LLC from the list. On the next screen, select the number of members. Single-member = 1. Multi-member = 2+. This determines your default tax treatment.
Even if you've been freelancing and are formalizing, select "Started a new business" — this is a new entity that needs a new number.
The "responsible party" is the person who owns or controls the entity. Enter your name, SSN, and address. For single-member LLCs, this is you. For multi-member LLCs, choose one managing member.
Legal name of the LLC (exactly as it appears on your Articles of Organization), state of formation, business start date, business address, and your industry/activity type.
The IRS displays your EIN on screen. Print this page immediately or download the PDF. This is your EIN confirmation letter (CP 575). Save it permanently — you'll need it to open your bank account and for tax filings.
The IRS website says it can take up to two weeks for your EIN to be fully registered in their system. During this window, some banks may not be able to verify your EIN. If your bank can't find it, wait a few business days and try again — or bring your printed CP 575 confirmation letter as proof.
What to Do With Your EIN
Open a business bank account. This is your next step — don't wait. Bring your EIN confirmation, Articles of Organization, Operating Agreement, and ID to your bank. Or apply online with Mercury or Relay for a faster process.
Update your records. Add your EIN to your Operating Agreement. Store the confirmation letter with your formation documents. You'll reference this number on every tax form, bank application, and vendor contract.
Start using it immediately. Any vendor who asks for a W-9 should get your EIN, not your SSN. One of the benefits of having a business entity is keeping your personal Social Security number off as many documents as possible.
Your EIN is the foundation for building business credit. Once you have it, register with Dun & Bradstreet (free) to get a DUNS number. Then open a business credit card and start building a payment history under your EIN. Within 6-12 months, your business has its own credit profile — separate from your personal credit — which opens doors to larger credit lines, vendor terms, and SBA loans. Most founders don't think about business credit until they need it. By then, it's 12 months too late.
EIN for Different Situations
You changed your business name: You don't need a new EIN. File a DBA (doing business as) with your state.
You converted from sole proprietorship to LLC: You do need a new EIN. The LLC is a new entity.
You added a member to your single-member LLC: You need a new EIN. The tax treatment changed from disregarded entity to partnership.
You have multiple LLCs: Each LLC needs its own EIN. One per entity.
You lost your EIN: Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933. They can look it up.
Continue Building
Get the next guide before it's published.
Join The Newsletter by The News Bakery — AI stories for people who sell real things to real people.