How to Get an EIN: Free, Same-Day Steps (2026)

Fact-checked by the LegalGlass editorial team against primary sources · Published Aug 6, 2026 · Last updated Aug 6, 2026

You can get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) free from the IRS in minutes. Apply online with Form SS-4 and the number is issued immediately on approval; by fax it takes about 4 business days, and by mail about 4 weeks. The IRS never charges a fee for an EIN.

Quick Answer

Cost: $0 - free from the IRS (never pay a third party)
Form: IRS Form SS-4, "Application for Employer Identification Number"
Fastest method: Online EIN Assistant - issued immediately
Other methods: Fax (~4 business days) · Mail (~4 weeks)
Who applies: The responsible party, using an SSN or ITIN
Daily limit: 1 EIN per responsible party per day

Do You Need an EIN?

An EIN is a 9-digit number (for example, 12-3456789) the IRS assigns to businesses for tax filing and reporting. The IRS says you generally need one if you:

Hire employees;
Operate a partnership or corporation;
File employment, excise, or certain other tax returns;
Change your business structure or ownership; or
Administer certain trusts, retirement plans, or estates.

A sole proprietor or single-member LLC with no employees can often use the owner's Social Security number instead, but an EIN keeps that number off business paperwork and is required the moment you hire or file employment taxes. Most banks also ask for an EIN to open a business account, and many state and local licenses request one, so even businesses that are not strictly required to have an EIN usually benefit from getting one.

If you answer "yes" to any of the IRS conditions above, an EIN is mandatory - you cannot substitute your SSN. If none apply, it is optional but still recommended for separating your personal and business identity.

The person applying must be the entity's responsible party - the individual who ultimately owns or controls the business and its funds. The IRS does not allow a paid nominee or filing service to be listed as the responsible party; it must be a natural person with a taxpayer ID, except for government entities.

What You'll Need Before You Apply

The responsible party's SSN or ITIN (the person who controls the entity);
Your legal business name and any trade name (DBA);
Business mailing address and formation state;
Entity type (LLC, corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship) and start date;
Reason for applying and expected number of employees.

How to Apply Online (Fastest)

The IRS EIN Assistant is the fastest route and issues your number immediately on approval. To use it, your principal business must be in the U.S. or a U.S. territory, and the responsible party must have a valid SSN or ITIN.

Open the IRS online EIN application during its hours (Eastern Time: Mon–Fri 6:00 a.m.–1:00 a.m.; Sat 6:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; Sun 6:00 p.m.–midnight).
Complete the interview in one sitting - the session expires after 15 minutes of inactivity and you must start over.
Submit. The EIN appears on screen immediately; download the confirmation notice (CP 575) and save it.

You can apply for only one EIN per responsible party per day. The assistant works as a short interview - it asks for your entity type, the reason you are applying, the responsible party's details, and basic business information, then validates everything before issuing the number. Because there is no "save and resume" feature, gather your information in advance using the checklist above so you can finish in a single session without timing out.

How to Apply by Fax, Mail, or Phone

If you can't use the online tool, file Form SS-4 by another method:

Method	How	Processing time
Online	IRS EIN Assistant	Immediate
Fax	Fax Form SS-4 to the IRS fax number for your location	~4 business days (with a return fax number)
Mail	Mail Form SS-4 to the IRS address for your location	~4 weeks
Phone	International applicants call the IRS at +1-267-941-1099 (not toll-free)	During the call

Fax and mail routing depends on your location. Businesses with a principal office or agency inside the U.S. use one IRS fax number and Cincinnati, Ohio mailing address; applicants with no legal residence or principal place of business in the U.S. use a separate fax number and mailing address. Always confirm the current numbers and addresses in the IRS Instructions for Form SS-4 before sending, because they change periodically. When you fax, include a return fax number so the IRS can send the assigned EIN back to you within about four business days.

After You Get Your EIN

Your EIN is active immediately for most purposes, though it can take up to two weeks before it is fully registered in IRS systems for electronic filing and payments. In that window you can still open a bank account and hire employees. Take these steps:

Store the CP 575 confirmation notice - the IRS issues it only once, and you will need it to verify the EIN later.
Use the EIN to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file federal taxes.
Register for state tax accounts (withholding, sales tax, unemployment) if your state requires them.
Keep the EIN consistent on every filing - the IRS matches returns to the exact number and legal name on record.

How to Look Up or Recover a Lost EIN

If you misplace your EIN, you do not need to reapply. Check the original CP 575 notice, a prior business tax return, or your business bank records, which all list the number. If none are available, the responsible party can call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax line and, after verifying identity, have the number provided by phone. Applying for a second EIN instead of recovering the first creates duplicate records and is a common, avoidable error.

When You Need a Brand-New EIN

An existing EIN usually stays with the business, but the IRS requires a new one after certain changes - for example, when a sole proprietorship incorporates or forms a partnership, when a corporation receives a new charter from the state, or when you inherit or buy an existing business and operate it as a sole proprietor. A simple name change, address change, or new business location does not require a new EIN; you report those to the IRS instead. Confirm your specific situation against the IRS "Do You Need a New EIN?" guidance before applying again.

What It Costs (and the Scam to Avoid)

An EIN is free. The IRS states plainly that you never have to pay a fee for an EIN and warns against websites that charge for one. Third-party "EIN filing services" simply submit the same free Form SS-4 on your behalf and charge for it - you can do it yourself in minutes. Some of these sites use official-looking names and domains; the only free, authoritative source is the IRS itself. If you have already paid such a service, you generally cannot recover the fee, but the EIN it obtained is still valid.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Paying a third-party site for a free number.
Letting the online session time out (15 minutes) and losing your entries.
Applying for multiple EINs in one day (only one per responsible party is allowed).
Naming a nominee instead of the true responsible party - the IRS requires the individual who actually controls the entity.

How to Cancel or Close an EIN Account

An EIN is permanent and is never reused or reassigned. You cannot "cancel" it, but you can ask the IRS to close the business account tied to it by mailing a letter with the entity's legal name, EIN, and reason for closing.

Federal EIN vs. State Tax ID

An EIN is a federal number issued by the IRS. It is not the same as a state tax ID or state employer account, which many states require separately for state income-tax withholding, sales tax, or unemployment insurance. Getting your federal EIN is usually the first step; you then register with your state's Department of Revenue and, if you hire, the state labor or workforce agency. The exact state accounts depend on where you operate and whether you have employees or collect sales tax. See your state formation guide for the specific agencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an EIN cost?

Nothing. The IRS issues EINs for free and warns you never have to pay a fee for one.

How long does it take to get an EIN?

Online: immediately on approval. Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 weeks.

Can I get an EIN without an SSN?

Yes. The responsible party can use an ITIN, or international applicants can apply by phone, fax, or mail. See Can you get an EIN without an SSN?

Does a single-member LLC need an EIN?

Not always - one with no employees may use the owner's SSN, but the IRS recommends an EIN, and it's required to hire employees or file certain taxes.

Can I apply for more than one EIN in a day?

No. The IRS limits applications to one EIN per responsible party per day.

Is an EIN the same as a Tax ID number?

An EIN is one type of federal Taxpayer Identification Number, used by businesses. Other TINs include the SSN (individuals) and the ITIN (individuals without an SSN). An EIN is not the same as a state tax ID.

Can I use my EIN right away?

Yes for most purposes, such as opening a bank account. It can take up to two weeks before the EIN is registered across all IRS electronic systems for filing and payments.

What is an EIN?
Can you get an EIN without an SSN? (paired)
Do I need an EIN to open a business bank account?
EIN lookup: how to find a business EIN
How to get an EIN for an LLC
How to find a lost EIN
How to form an LLC (cluster hub)
What is an ITIN? and how to get one
S corp vs LLC
Glossary: EIN · ITIN

Sources

IRS - Get an Employer Identification Number (cost, who needs one, online hours).
IRS - Apply for an EIN Online (immediate issuance, 15-minute timeout, eligibility, one-per-day limit).
IRS - About Form SS-4 (form title, EIN definition).
IRS - Instructions for Form SS-4 (fax/mail processing, international phone +1-267-941-1099).
IRS - Form SS-4 (PDF).
IRS - Publication 1635, Understanding Your EIN.
IRS - Responsible Parties and Nominees.
IRS - Do You Need a New EIN?
IRS - Single Member Limited Liability Companies (SMLLC EIN guidance).
IRS - Lost or Misplaced Your EIN?
IRS - Canceling an EIN – Closing Your Account.
Cornell Legal Information Institute - 26 U.S. Code § 6109, Identifying numbers.

LegalGlass provides general information for educational purposes and is not a law firm or a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney or tax professional. Laws and fees change; verify current requirements with the IRS before acting.