0 of 6 items gathered

1. Legal Entity Information

2. Responsible Party Information

3. Business Addresses

How to Get Your Free EIN from the IRS

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a 9-digit number assigned by the IRS. Think of it as a Social Security Number for your business. You absolutely need one to open a business bank account, hire employees, or apply for business credit cards.

Do Not Pay for an EIN

If you Google "How to get an EIN," the first five results are usually advertisements for companies charging anywhere from $50 to $250 to get an EIN for you. Do not fall for this. Getting an EIN directly from the IRS website is 100% free, and the online application takes less than 10 minutes to complete.

Wait for State Approval First

A common mistake new business owners make is applying for an EIN before their LLC is actually approved by the state. What happens if the state rejects your LLC name because it is already taken? You will be stuck with an EIN attached to a business name that doesn't legally exist, creating a massive administrative headache.

Always wait until you have your approved Articles of Organization in hand before applying for your EIN.

What if I don't have an SSN?

The IRS online portal requires a US Social Security Number or an ITIN. If you are a non-US resident and do not have either of these, you can still get an EIN. However, you cannot use the online portal. You must fill out a physical copy of Form SS-4 and fax or mail it to the IRS. Processing times for faxed applications usually range from 4 to 8 weeks.