An LLC is a state legal entity for liability protection; an EIN is a free federal tax ID from the IRS. Learn how they differ, when you need each, and how they work together.

No Social Security number does not mean no EIN. The IRS has an official process for foreign founders, and this guide walks through the phone, fax, and mail methods step by step.

Some businesses can operate with just a Social Security number, while others legally need an EIN. Here is how to tell which group you are in, and why privacy alone is a good reason to get one.

An S corp election changes how the IRS taxes your LLC, not the LLC itself. That means your EIN stays the same, but there are a few situations where a new one is required.

Your EIN never expires, so a lost number is always recoverable. Work through your own records first, then use the IRS phone line and ask for the 147C letter by name.

Most EIN delays come from five avoidable errors, from picking the wrong entity type to submitting a duplicate application. Here is how to get it right the first time.