How to Get an EIN for Your LLC (Free, in 15 Minutes)
An EIN, or Employer Identification Number, is your LLC’s federal tax ID. Banks ask for it when you open a business account, clients put it on 1099 forms, and the IRS uses it to track your business tax filings. If you have an LLC, you almost certainly need one.
Here is the good news: getting an EIN is free, it takes about 15 minutes, and you can do it yourself on the IRS website right now. No service required, no fee, no waiting weeks.
This guide walks through the exact steps, what you need before you start, and the mistakes that cause rejections. If you are unsure whether your LLC even needs one, see our guide on whether a single-member LLC needs an EIN.
What You Need Before You Apply
The IRS requires your LLC to exist before it will issue an EIN. That means your articles of organization must already be filed and approved by the state. Applying before state approval can cause delays or rejection.
You will also need a responsible party with a valid Taxpayer Identification Number, which is a Social Security Number for most US applicants. The responsible party is the person who controls the LLC’s funds and assets, usually you as the owner. International founders without an SSN can still apply by fax or phone using Form SS-4.
Have your LLC’s legal name (exactly as approved by the state), formation date, business address, and a rough description of your business activity ready. The whole application is a short interview-style questionnaire, and these answers cover nearly all of it.
Step-by-Step: Apply Online
The IRS online EIN application is the fastest method by far. It is available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time. Outside those hours, the system is simply offline, so plan accordingly.
Step 1: Go to the official IRS application
Start at the IRS EIN application page and click through to the online interview. Make sure you are on irs.gov, the only official site. Copycat sites with similar names charge fees for this free service.
Step 2: Select your entity type
Choose “Limited Liability Company (LLC)” and indicate the number of members. A single-member LLC and a multi-member LLC take slightly different paths through the questionnaire because their default tax classifications differ.
Step 3: Enter the responsible party information
Provide your name and SSN as the responsible party. The IRS validates this against its records, so enter everything exactly as it appears on your tax filings. This is also where applications get rejected: a name/SSN mismatch is the most common error.
Step 4: Enter your LLC details
Fill in the LLC’s legal name, trade name if any, mailing address, formation state, and start date. Keep the legal name identical to what the state approved, punctuation included.
Step 5: Answer the business questions
The IRS asks what your business does, whether you will have employees, and when you expect to pay wages. Answer honestly but do not overthink it. Saying you plan to hire employees later does not obligate you to anything; it just determines which tax forms the IRS mentions.
Step 6: Submit and receive your EIN
Review everything, submit, and your EIN appears on screen immediately. Your EIN is issued instantly when you apply online during IRS hours. Download and save the confirmation letter (CP 575) right away, since the IRS only issues it once.
Other Ways to Apply
Online is best for most people, but three alternatives exist.
By fax: complete Form SS-4 and fax it to the IRS. You will receive your EIN in about one to two weeks. This is the standard route for international applicants without an SSN.
By mail: send the completed Form SS-4 to the IRS service center. Expect about four weeks. This is the slowest option and only makes sense if you cannot use the others.
By phone: international applicants can call the IRS at 267-941-1099 (not toll-free) during business hours and receive an EIN during the call. US applicants with an SSN should just use the online system.
Common Mistakes That Cause Rejections
Most failed applications come down to a handful of avoidable errors.
Name mismatches top the list. If your LLC’s legal name on the application differs from the state’s records, even by a comma, the IRS may reject it. Copy the name exactly from your approved articles of organization.
Applying too early is next. The LLC must be legally formed first. If your state filing is still pending, wait for approval before requesting the EIN.
Duplicate applications cause problems too. The IRS issues only one EIN per responsible party per day, and applying twice for the same LLC creates confusion. If you are not sure whether an application went through, check your records before reapplying.
Finally, never pay a third party for this. Dozens of sites charge $50 to $100 to submit the same free form on your behalf. Our comparison of free IRS EIN filing versus paid EIN services explains why the paid route is never worth it.
Another frequent error is naming the wrong responsible party. The responsible party must be a real person with authority over the LLC, not the LLC itself and not a nominee. The IRS cross-checks the SSN you provide, so entering one person’s number while listing another as the party creates a mismatch. If ownership is shared, pick the person who actually controls the company’s funds and use their information consistently.
What to Do After You Get Your EIN
Your EIN unlocks the next steps of setting up your business properly.
Open a business bank account. Banks require your EIN and your formation documents to open an LLC account. Keeping business money separate from personal money is essential for preserving your liability protection.
Use it on tax forms. Provide your EIN on W-9 forms instead of your Social Security Number. This keeps your SSN out of circulation and looks more professional to clients.
Handle state tax registrations. Many states require separate tax accounts for sales tax or employer withholding, and they will ask for your federal EIN during registration. If you formed in a popular state, our Wyoming LLC cost guide and best states for online businesses cover what comes next.
And draft your internal paperwork. An EIN does not replace an operating agreement. Our single-member LLC operating agreement template pairs naturally with this step.
One more task: store your EIN confirmation letter somewhere safe and permanent. The IRS issues the CP 575 letter only once, and getting a replacement copy takes weeks. Save a digital scan in your business records folder alongside your articles of organization and operating agreement. You will need the EIN constantly in your first year, for banks, vendors, state registrations, and tax filings, so keeping it handy saves repeated searching.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an EIN cost?
Nothing. The IRS issues EINs completely free through its online application, by fax, by mail, or by phone. Any website charging a fee is selling you something the government gives away.
How long does it take to get an EIN?
Online applications receive the EIN instantly during IRS operating hours (Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern). Fax takes one to two weeks, mail takes about four weeks, and phone applications for international filers are completed during the call.
Can I get an EIN before my LLC is approved?
No. The IRS requires the LLC to be legally formed first. Wait until your state approves your articles of organization, then apply for the EIN the same day.
Does my EIN ever expire?
No. An EIN is permanent and never expires, even if you do not use it for years. If you close the business, you can ask the IRS to close the account associated with the EIN, but the number itself is never reassigned.
Can I change the responsible party on my EIN later?
Yes. Report ownership or responsible-party changes to the IRS by filing Form 8822-B within 60 days of the change. You keep the same EIN; only the responsible party information updates. The SBA’s tax ID guide is another useful reference for federal tax identifiers.
Fifteen minutes, zero dollars, one tax ID that your business will use for its entire life. Apply directly on irs.gov and skip every paid middleman.
