How to Get an EIN for Your Business (Free, in About 15 Minutes)

A bank, a supplier, or a general contractor just asked for your EIN. You don’t have one, and you’ve seen sites charging $99 to get it for you.

Don’t pay. The IRS gives EINs out for free, online, usually in one sitting.

On the money part, from the IRS itself: “You never have to pay a fee for an EIN.” This guide sticks to what the IRS and SBA say. It isn’t tax advice, so check with an accountant if your situation is unusual.

What is an EIN?

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a nine-digit federal tax ID for your business. Think of it as a Social Security number for the business.

You’ll use it on tax filings, to open a business bank account, on W-9 forms when customers or GCs pay you, and on some licenses and permits.

Do I need one?

According to the IRS, you generally need an EIN to:

• Hire employees
• Operate a partnership or corporation
• Pay sales and excise taxes
• Change your business structure or ownership

If you’re a sole proprietor with no employees, you can often use your Social Security number instead. Plenty of solo trades owners get an EIN anyway, because:

• It keeps your SSN off W-9s you hand to customers and GCs.
• Many banks want one to open a business bank account.
• It makes the business look like a business.

If you have an LLC, form it with your state first. The IRS says applying before you form can delay your EIN. Not sure which structure you need? Start with LLC vs sole proprietor.

What you need before you start

Have these ready, because the IRS application can’t be saved and times out after 15 minutes of inactivity:

• Your business structure (sole proprietor, LLC, partnership, corporation).
• The Social Security number or ITIN of the “responsible party,” which is usually you.
• Your legal business name and address. If you’re an LLC, use the exact name you filed with the state.
• How many employees you expect in the next year (zero is a fine answer).

How to get an EIN online, step by step

1. Go to the official IRS page: Get an employer identification number. Check the address bar says irs.gov.
2. Check the hours. The online tool isn’t open around the clock. The IRS lists Monday to Friday 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 6 p.m. to midnight, Eastern.
3. Start the application and pick your business type.
4. Enter the responsible party’s info and your business details.
5. Answer the questions about employees and what the business does.
6. Submit. If it’s approved, your EIN shows up right away.
7. Save the confirmation letter as a PDF and print a copy. You’ll be asked for it.

The IRS allows one EIN per responsible party per day, so take your time and get the details right.

For a deeper dive: LLC University walks through getting an EIN for an LLC, including what to do if the online application gives you an error. Northwest Registered Agent’s EIN guide answers common questions like whether a single-member LLC needs one. (Both offer paid help, but you can do this yourself for free.)

After you get it

Your EIN is the starting gun for a few other things:

• Open a business bank account. The SBA says you can open one once you have your EIN.
• Fill out W-9s with your business name and EIN instead of your SSN, and start sending real invoices.
• Check state requirements. Your state may need its own tax ID too, depending on what you do and whether you hire.
• Put your business info everywhere it belongs: invoices, estimates, your Google profile, and a business phone number customers can save.

While you’re making it official

The EIN makes you official on paper. To customers, what makes you official is how you answer the phone.

If your personal cell is on the truck and your voicemail is still “Hey, it’s Mike,” that’s the next thing to fix. A separate business number doesn’t have to mean a second phone.

We’ll set up the business line for you

GBPN gives you a business number that rings the cell you already carry, for $30 a month total, taxes and fees included. We record your greeting with your business name, set your business hours, and send voicemail to your email as text.

A real person sets it up with you. 30-day money-back guarantee.

See available business numbers

FAQ

How much does an EIN cost? Nothing. The IRS issues EINs free. Sites that charge are only filling out the same free form for you.

How long does it take to get an EIN? Online, you get the number as soon as the application is approved, usually in one session.

Can I get an EIN as a sole proprietor? Yes. You may not need one, but you can get one, and many solo owners do to keep their SSN private.

Can I get an EIN before my LLC is approved? The IRS says to form your LLC with the state first. Applying before that can delay things.

What if I lose my EIN? Check your confirmation notice, old tax returns, your bank, or agencies where you got licenses. If you still can’t find it, the IRS says to call its Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933, and it will give the number to an authorized person after verifying identity.