The IRS never charges for an EIN. In its own words: "You never have to pay a fee for an EIN," and "Beware of websites that charge for an EIN." A site that asks for money to get you one is charging for a service, filling in the same free IRS form on your behalf; the number you end up with is the same.
Before you apply
- Form the business first. If you are creating an LLC, corporation or partnership, register it with the state before applying. The IRS says an application for an entity that is not yet registered may be delayed. See how to start an LLC for the order of steps.
- Know your entity type: sole proprietor, LLC (and how many members), corporation, partnership, nonprofit, estate or trust.
- Know the responsible party. This is the person who controls the entity and its assets. You need their name and their Social Security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). The IRS does not allow a nominee to apply in someone else's place.
- Have the legal name and address ready, written exactly as on the formation documents. IRS systems accept only letters, numbers, hyphens and ampersands in a business name, so other symbols are spelled out or dropped.
How to apply for an EIN online
- Open the IRS Get an Employer Identification Number page and start the online application. Check the address bar: it should be irs.gov.
- Choose the entity type and answer the questions about the business and the responsible party.
- Finish in one sitting. The application cannot be saved, and the IRS says it expires after 15 minutes of inactivity.
- When the application is approved, the EIN appears on screen. Download or print the confirmation letter and keep it with the business's records.
Who can apply online?
According to the IRS online application page, you can use it when:
- the organization is formed in the United States or a US territory, and its principal place of business is there;
- you are the responsible party or their authorized representative;
- you have the responsible party's SSN or ITIN.
Each responsible party can get only one EIN per day. Businesses based outside the United States apply by phone, fax or mail instead (see below).
When is the online application open?
The IRS lists these hours, Eastern Time, on its application page (checked on the date at the foot of this guide):
| Day | Hours (ET) |
|---|---|
| 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 midnight |
Applying with Form SS-4 by fax or mail
If you cannot or prefer not to apply online, fill in Form SS-4, the same application on paper. The Form SS-4 instructions give the current fax numbers and addresses, which the IRS says may change without notice.
| Method | Who can use it | How long it takes |
|---|---|---|
| Online | US-based businesses with a responsible party who has an SSN or ITIN | Immediately, once approved |
| Fax Form SS-4 | Anyone | About 4 business days (the IRS faxes the number back) |
| Mail Form SS-4 | Anyone | About 4 weeks; the IRS suggests applying 4 to 5 weeks before you need it |
| Phone | Only applicants with no principal place of business in the US or a US territory | During the call |
The IRS no longer issues EINs by phone to domestic applicants. The international line, its hours and the international fax numbers are on the IRS Employer ID Numbers page.
Can you use the EIN right away?
For most things, yes: the IRS says you can use it at once to open a bank account, apply for licenses or file a paper return. Allow up to two weeks before it works for e-filing, electronic tax payments and the IRS TIN Matching program.
What about paid EIN services?
They exist and they are legal, but they add nothing to the number itself. Before you enter an SSN anywhere, make sure the address ends in irs.gov. If you have already paid a third party, the EIN they obtained is valid; the fee just did not go to the IRS.
After you have the EIN
- Open the business bank account and register for state taxes where they apply.
- Give it to clients on Form W-9 instead of your SSN.
- Keep the confirmation letter: it is the simplest proof of the number. If you lose it, the EIN lookup guide shows how to find it again.
New to EINs? Start with what an EIN number is.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Facts checked 2026-10-26 against the official sources linked above; confirm with the state or the IRS before you file. How we check our facts · Report an error