How to get an EIN online

Can you use the online tool?

The IRS lets you use the online application only if all of these are true:

• the organization was formed in the United States or a US territory,
• its principal place of business is in the United States or a US territory,
• you are the responsible party, or their authorized representative, and
• you have the responsible party's Social Security number or ITIN.

You cannot use it if the principal place of business is outside the US. In that case the IRS directs you to apply by phone, fax or mail. See how to get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN.

Who the responsible party is

The responsible party is the person who ultimately owns or controls the entity, or who has ultimate control over its funds and assets. For a small LLC that is normally the owner or the managing member. It must be an individual, not another company, unless the applicant is a government entity. The IRS does not allow nominees, meaning someone named only to lend their number, to apply.

Have these ready before you start

The session cannot be saved, so gather everything first:

• the entity's exact legal name, as it appears on the state filing,
• the date it was formed and the state,
• the entity type and, for an LLC, the number of members,
• the mailing address and the physical business address,
• the responsible party's name and SSN or ITIN,
• the start date of the business and its main activity, and
• whether you expect to have employees in the next 12 months.

Form the LLC or corporation with the state before you apply. The IRS says applying first may delay the application.

Applying, step by step

1. Open the IRS "Get an employer identification number" page

   Use irs.gov directly. Many sites that look official charge for a free service.

2. Choose the entity type

   Pick the type that matches the state filing, such as limited liability company or corporation, and then the reason for applying, which for a new business is usually starting a new business.

3. Enter the responsible party

   Give their name and SSN or ITIN. The system checks these during the session.

4. Enter the business details

   Name, addresses, formation date, state, activity and employee plans.

5. Save the confirmation letter

   The EIN appears on screen when the application is approved. Print or save the confirmation letter straight away, because it is your proof of the number.

When the tool is open

What stops an application

• The session times out. After 15 minutes of inactivity it expires and you start over.
• A second EIN on the same day. The IRS issues only one EIN per responsible party per day, whether you apply online, by fax, by phone or by mail. If you are setting up several companies, space the applications out.
• The name does not follow IRS formatting rules. Enter the legal name exactly, and avoid characters the IRS does not accept.
• Applying with an EIN as the responsible party's number. The tool needs an individual's SSN or ITIN, unless the applicant is a government entity.
• The details do not match IRS records. If the name and SSN or ITIN do not match what the IRS holds, the application can be stopped with a reference number, and you may need to apply on Form SS-4 instead.

What each error reference number means, and how to get past it, is in EIN reference number 101 and other errors.

After you have the number

• Keep the confirmation letter with the company records. Banks often ask for it. If it is lost, see how to get a 147C letter.
• Use the EIN on the business's tax returns, payroll filings and forms such as W-9.
• If the responsible party or address changes later, tell the IRS on Form 8822-B.

This guide is general information. It is not tax or legal advice for your situation.