How to Find Your EIN Number? (Step by Step Guide)

Published by Jon Morgan | Co-Founder & Chief Editor

Last updated: April 24, 2026

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Losing track of your EIN is more common than you'd think. You need it to open a business bank account, apply for a loan, or run payroll — and when you can't find it, everything grinds to a halt.

I've helped over 15 business owners retrieve lost EINs in the past year alone. It's always urgent, and it's almost always fixable. So here's exactly how to track yours down.

Quick Summary:

What is an EIN?

An EIN is a 9-digit number the IRS issues to identify your business. Once you have one, you're required to use it when filing your business, state, and federal taxes.

But taxes aren't the only reason you need it. An EIN is also required to:

• Obtain business licenses.
• Apply for business financing, like business loans and business credit cards.
• Open a business bank account.
• Hire employees.

"Businesses with employees must have an EIN to conduct business in any state. Non-employers who run a partnership or corporation must also obtain one."
- Jon Morgan, CEO, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Venture Smarter

How to Find Your Company's EIN?

There are three main places to look: your IRS confirmation letter, your business documents, and — if those both fail — the IRS directly.

1. Check EIN Confirmation Letter

When you first applied for your EIN, the IRS sent you a confirmation letter (CP 575). It shows your tax ID number along with other identifying details. That's your starting point.

Where to find it depends on how you applied:

• If you applied online, the IRS issued your confirmation letter immediately after you submitted your application. You can find the letter in your emails or any other digital receipts.
• If you had filed by mail, you would have received your letter by mail. Look back through your paper files from where you saved them for future reference.
• If you filed a fax, you would have received your confirmation by fax.

2. Review Business Tax Documents

Your EIN appears on every business tax return you've ever filed — look for it in the top-right corner of the document.

In 2023, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reported a record-breaking 5.5 million new business applications, surpassing the previous high of 5.4 million in 2021 [2].

That's a lot of EINs floating around out there — and a lot of business owners who'll eventually need to track one down.

If the number is masked by asterisks on your return, contact the IRS or your accountant to get the full number. And if you use tax software, check your account dashboard — the software saves your EIN every year you file.

3. Check Other Business Documents

Here are other business documents you can check: 

• LLC business bank account statements
• Your business credit report
• Any tax notices from the IRS
• Old business loan applications
• Payroll paperwork (such as the 1099 forms issued to independent contractors)

One thing I always tell clients: call your bank. If you opened a business account, they required your EIN at the time — which means they have it on file.

4. Contact the IRS

If none of those work, call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. They're available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in your local time zone (Alaska and Hawaii follow Pacific time) [3].

Once you've got it back, save it somewhere you'll actually find it again. I've seen too many business owners go through this process twice.

5. Request an EIN Verification Letter (147C)

If a bank or lender needs official proof of your EIN, you'll want Form 147C — an EIN Verification Letter from the IRS. It replaces your original CP 575 and works as formal confirmation of your tax ID.

Not just anyone can request it. You'll need to be a business owner, corporate officer, partner, or have power of attorney. The IRS agent will verify your identity first, then send the letter either by fax (you'll get it the same day) or by mail (expect 4 to 6 weeks).

Go with fax. The IRS won't email 147C letters for security reasons, and there's no fee either way — so there's no reason to wait weeks when you don't have to.

4 Ways to Find Another Company's EIN

Need to look up someone else's EIN? You've got four options: contact the business directly, pull their credit report, search the SEC's public database, or dig through local public records.

1. Contact the Company

Companies treat their EIN as sensitive information, and for good reason. Don't be surprised if they push back — they'll likely want to verify who you are and why you need it before sharing anything.

Your best bet is to reach out to their accounting department with a formal request. That said, don't count on it — plenty of businesses won't share this voluntarily.

2. Check Business Credit Report

Most business credit reports include the company's EIN, and you can pull them through the major credit bureaus.

When my clients are considering a partnership or investment, this is what I tell them to do first. Beyond the EIN, you'll also get a clear picture of how the business handles its debt — whether they pay on time, how much they carry, and whether there are any red flags.

3. Do an Online Search

Any business registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is required to include a tax ID number in their filings. The SEC's EDGAR system stores all of that information and it's free to search [4].

It does take some digging — the EIN won't always be front and center — but it's in there if the company files with the SEC.

4. Search Public Record

If the company isn't SEC-registered, check local public records through the county or city clerk's office.

Most businesses apply for state and local licenses and permits, and EINs are typically listed in those filings. It's not the fastest route, but it works.

If you have an LLC, you should read our article and determine if you need an EIN for an LLC.

FAQs

References:

1. https://www.census.gov/econ/bfs/pdf/historic/bfs_2025m01.pdf
2. https://www.uschamber.com/small-business/new-business-applications-a-state-by-state-view
3. https://www.irs.gov/businesses/telephone-assistance-contacts-for-business-customers
4. https://www.sec.gov/edgar/about