An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is the nine-digit number the IRS uses to identify your business for tax purposes. Getting one costs nothing and, if your application is approved online, the IRS issues the number immediately.
Apply for free on IRS.gov, have your business type and the responsible party’s Social Security number or ITIN ready, finish in a single sitting, and print the confirmation letter. Any website that asks you to pay is not the IRS.
Do you need an EIN?
The IRS says businesses, organizations and some retirement trusts generally need an EIN to manage their taxes. You typically need one if you:
- Hire employees
- Operate a partnership or corporation
- Pay sales and excise taxes
- Change your business structure or ownership
- Administer certain trusts, retirement plans or estates
A solo freelancer with none of these may not be required to get one, but many do anyway, so they can give clients an ID number instead of their Social Security number on tax forms such as the IRS Form W-9. If you are unsure, the IRS page linked in the steps below lists the situations that require one, so check it before you apply.
What to have ready before you start
- Your business entity type, for example sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC or corporation.
- The responsible party’s Social Security number or ITIN. This is the person who controls the business or organization.
- A formed entity, if you are creating an LLC or corporation. The IRS advises registering with your state’s secretary of state first, because applying before the entity exists can delay your EIN.
- A U.S. principal place of business. The online tool is for domestic organizations formed in the United States or U.S. territories.
- About 15 uninterrupted minutes. You cannot save the form and return later.
How to apply online, step by step
- Go to the IRS page Get an employer identification number and select Apply for an EIN.
- Choose your entity type and answer the questions about your business.
- Enter the responsible party’s SSN or ITIN and your business details. Follow the IRS formatting rules for the business name.
- Review everything, then submit.
- If approved, your EIN appears on screen right away. Print or save the confirmation letter for your records.
When is the online application open?
The tool runs on Eastern Time, so adjust for your own time zone.
| Day | Available (Eastern Time) |
| Monday to Friday | 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. the next day |
| Saturday | 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. |
Mistakes that cause delays or restarts
- Letting the session sit idle. It expires after 15 minutes of inactivity and you start over.
- Applying before your LLC or corporation exists with the state.
- Trying for a second EIN the same day. The limit is one EIN per responsible party per day.
- Paying a third-party site. The IRS warns that you never have to pay a fee for an EIN.
- Using the online tool from outside the U.S. If your principal place of business is outside the U.S., the IRS directs you to apply by phone, fax or mail instead.
What to do after you get your EIN
- Store the confirmation letter somewhere safe, with a digital copy.
- Use the EIN on the tax returns and information returns your business must file.
- Check whether your company must report its beneficial owners to FinCEN, using the IRS and FinCEN guidance.
- Next, read our guide to starting a side hustle the legal way for registration, bank accounts and taxes.
EIN questions people ask
Is an EIN really free?
Yes. The IRS issues it at no charge, and warns against sites that charge for one.
How long does it take?
The online application takes minutes, and an approved EIN is issued immediately.
Can I apply online if my business is outside the United States?
Not through the online tool. The IRS says to apply by phone, fax or mail if your principal place of business is outside the U.S.
