How to Get an EIN for Your LLC (Free, in About 10 Minutes)

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your business's federal tax ID — think of it as a Social Security number for your LLC. Banks won't open a business account without one, the IRS expects it on your tax filings, and if you ever hire, it's mandatory. The good news: it's free, instant online, and takes about ten minutes if you know what's coming.

Before you start, you'll need

• Your LLC's exact legal name and formation state (copy it from your approved Articles of Organization — spelling must match)
• The name and SSN or ITIN of the "responsible party" — the person who controls the LLC (usually you)
• Your business address and a rough idea of your start date and business activity

The three ways to apply (one is best)

• Online at irs.gov — recommended. The IRS EIN Assistant issues your number immediately at the end of the session, Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–10 p.m. ET. Save the confirmation letter (PDF) — banks ask for it.
• By fax or mail (Form SS-4). Slower — days by fax, weeks by mail — but it's the route non-US residents without an SSN/ITIN must use. If that's you, leave the responsible-party ID line blank with "foreign" noted rather than inventing a number.
• Through a formation service. Convenient if you're already paying for formation, but never pay a standalone "EIN service" $50–$250 for what the IRS gives away.

Questions the form will ask — decoded

• "How many members?" Count the owners on your operating agreement. This decides your default tax classification (1 member = disregarded entity, 2+ = partnership).
• "Why are you applying?" Choose "Started a new business" for a new LLC.
• "First wages paid" — if you have no employees yet, say so; you can still get an EIN for banking and taxes.

After you get it

Your EIN confirmation letter (CP 575) is a permanent record — store it with your Articles. Then: open your business bank account (see our bank account guide), give the EIN to your payment processors instead of your SSN, and use it on your first tax filing. One EIN generally lasts the life of the LLC; you'd only need a new one after major restructuring, like converting ownership or electing corporate taxation in some cases.

Scam warning, because it matters: the IRS never charges for an EIN and never emails you one unsolicited. Sites that mimic the IRS application and ask for a card at the end are third parties. Type irs.gov yourself and look for "Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online."

Fees verified against official state sources — last checked October 26, 2026.