How to Find Your EIN Number? (Step by Step Guide)
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a federal tax ID issued by the IRS. If you already applied, the fastest path is usually to check the LLC’s own tax records, bank file, formation paperwork, or prior preparer records before requesting another number.
Treat an EIN as sensitive business information. Confirm the legal name and responsible party before using it on a return, W-9, payroll account, or bank application.
Quick Summary:
Start with the LLC’s tax return, IRS notices, bank records, payroll account, or formation file. If the number cannot be located, contact the IRS using the business-tax process and be ready to verify the entity and responsible party. [1] [2]
What is an EIN?
An EIN identifies a business for federal tax administration. It is not a state filing number, a license, or proof that the LLC is in good standing. A single-member LLC may not need a separate EIN for federal income tax in some situations, but it may need one for employees, excise tax, banking, or state requirements. [3]
How to Find Your Company's EIN?
Use this order:
- Search the original IRS confirmation and any saved tax notices.
- Check the business tax returns, payroll filings, and information returns.
- Review the bank, merchant, payroll, and state-tax account files.
- Ask the person who formed the LLC or prepared its first return.
- Call the IRS only after gathering the legal name, address, formation date, and responsible-party details.
2. Review Business Tax Documents
Useful documents may include Form SS-4, the IRS EIN confirmation, Forms 941 or 944, W-2 and 1099 filings, income-tax returns, loan or bank paperwork, state payroll registration, and prior IRS notices. Match the EIN to the correct legal name and entity rather than copying a number from an unrelated business.
3. Check Other Business Documents
State formation documents usually show the entity’s filing or charter number, not its EIN. A business license, sales-tax number, unemployment account, and registered-agent account are also different identifiers. Keep a one-page identifier list with the issuing agency and date.
4. Contact the IRS
The IRS can verify an EIN to an authorized person after it verifies the business identity. Use the official IRS business-tax phone process and never send an EIN request through an unofficial lookup service. [4]
5. Request an EIN Verification Letter (147C)
If the IRS confirms the EIN but you need written evidence, ask about an EIN verification letter, commonly called Letter 147C. Keep the letter with the entity’s permanent tax records and use the IRS’s current process; do not assume a third party can obtain it without authorization.
4 Ways to Find Another Company's EIN
You generally cannot use a public IRS search to look up another private company’s EIN. Ask the company directly for a completed Form W-9 when you have a legitimate reporting reason. Protect the number after receiving it and do not publish it in a directory. [5]
FAQs
Can I Search for an EIN on the IRS's Website?
The IRS does not provide a public directory for searching private companies’ EINs. Check your own records or ask the company for Form W-9 when the reporting relationship requires it.
Is an EIN Number Free?
The IRS does not charge a fee to issue an EIN. Beware of private websites that charge to submit a free application or promise an unauthorized lookup. [6]
Related reading:
References:
- https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employer-id-numbers
- https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iss4
- https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/single-member-limited-liability-companies
- https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employer-id-numbers
- https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-9
- https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employer-id-numbers
