LLC EIN Number Guide: Get Your Federal Tax ID Free
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit federal tax ID issued by the IRS. The IRS issues it for free. Eligible U.S. applicants can receive an EIN immediately online when approved; applicants who cannot use the online tool have IRS fax, mail, and qualifying international-phone routes.
Written and maintained by Enjoys-life Team · Updated August 20260 of 4 ready. Complete these checks before you start.
Open IRS EIN Tool →What is an EIN for an LLC?
An EIN is the LLC’s federal tax identification number. The IRS assigns this nine-digit number for tax filing and reporting. An EIN is not the same as an SSN or ITIN, and getting one does not replace state formation, business licenses, tax registrations, or other requirements that may apply.
Does Your LLC Need an EIN?
Many LLCs need an EIN for federal tax administration, employees, partnership or corporate tax treatment, and other business functions. The IRS specifically lists hiring employees, operating a partnership or corporation, paying certain taxes, and some changes in structure or ownership among common reasons an EIN is needed.
The IRS specifically instructs legal entities such as LLCs, partnerships and corporations to complete state formation before applying for an EIN. Applying too early can delay the EIN application.
How to Get an EIN Online
For eligible applicants, the IRS online tool is the fastest route. The application must be completed in one session, cannot be saved for later, and expires after 15 minutes of inactivity. If approved, the IRS issues the EIN immediately and provides an EIN confirmation that should be saved with the LLC records.
Monday–Friday: 6:00 a.m.–1:00 a.m. the next day; Saturday: 6:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; Sunday: 6:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m. The IRS can change tool availability, so use the live IRS EIN page as the controlling source before you start.
Principal place of business must be in the U.S. or U.S. territories, and the application must satisfy the IRS responsible-party identification rules.
Enter the entity type, legal name and other details carefully so they agree with the formation record.
The responsible party must be the person who actually owns, controls or exercises effective control over the entity; nominees cannot apply.
Answer the IRS questions and submit the application before the session expires.
Download, print or otherwise retain the EIN assignment notice for the LLC’s permanent records.
As of August 2026, the IRS lists the online tool as available Monday–Friday 6:00 a.m.–1:00 a.m. the next day ET, Saturday 6:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. ET, and Sunday 6:00 p.m.–midnight ET. Because hours can change, the page links directly to the IRS tool rather than treating the schedule as permanent.
Responsible Party: Get This Part Right
The responsible party is generally the individual who owns, controls or exercises effective control over the entity and directly or indirectly manages its funds or assets. A nominee—someone with limited authority who merely helps form the entity—cannot apply as the responsible party. If the responsible party later changes, the IRS says to report the change on Form 8822-B within 60 days.
International / Non-U.S. Applicants
If the entity has no legal residence, principal place of business, or principal office or agency in the United States or U.S. territories, it cannot use the IRS online EIN application. Current Form SS-4 instructions provide phone, fax and mail routes for qualifying international applicants.
The current Form SS-4 instructions say that if the responsible party does not have and is ineligible to obtain an SSN or ITIN, enter “foreign” or N/A on line 7b. This does not make the applicant eligible for the online tool; use the permitted non-online method.
After You Receive the EIN
Lost or Forgot Your EIN?
Do not automatically apply for another EIN. The IRS now lists several ways to confirm an existing EIN. Eligible Business Tax Account users can download a digital CP575 EIN verification notice, and an entity transcript can also be used to confirm the EIN. Use the IRS’s current EIN-confirmation guidance before requesting a new number.
EIN & Business Banking
An EIN is commonly part of a bank’s business-identity and tax-documentation process, but each financial institution controls its own eligibility and verification requirements. Keep your approved formation record, EIN confirmation, operating agreement and ownership/identity documents available when opening an account.
Compare account features, eligibility, fees and documentation requirements before choosing the account for your LLC.
Compare Business Banking Options →Use the Free IRS Route — or Pay Only When You Want Assistance
The EIN itself is free from the IRS. A private company may charge for preparing and handling the application, but that fee is for the service—not for the EIN. For a straightforward eligible online application, the direct IRS route is usually the simplest option. If you specifically want someone else to handle the paperwork, a paid service can be useful.
- ✓$50 EIN service when the responsible party has an SSN
- ✓$200 EIN service for applicants without an SSN
- ✓Northwest prepares and handles the EIN filing process
- ✓You can still apply directly with the IRS for $0 if you prefer DIY
Disclosure: Enjoys-life may earn a commission through this link, at no extra cost to you. The IRS charges $0 for the EIN itself; Northwest’s price is for application assistance. See our advertising disclosure.
An EIN does not replace state, county, city or industry-specific licenses and permits. Continue to the licensing step to identify what the business may need to operate legally.
Continue to Business Licenses →Primary IRS Sources
This guide routes readers to the IRS for the EIN itself and separates current IRS rules from third-party services. Time-sensitive hours, fax numbers and processing guidance should be rechecked against the IRS when updated.