Most LLC owners need an EIN, but the answer depends on your structure and plans. Use the checker below to find out instantly, then follow the step-by-step IRS application guide if you need one. It's free, takes 15 minutes, and no attorney is required.
Answer 5 questions to find out if your LLC is required to have one.
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Did you form an LLC, corporation, or partnership?
2
Do you have (or plan to hire) any employees?
3
Do you have a Keogh plan or SEP-IRA?
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Do you withhold taxes on non-wage income paid to a non-resident alien?
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Are you involved in a trust, estate, or nonprofit organization?
Quick answer: Apply at IRS.gov , free, takes 15 minutes, and your EIN appears on the confirmation screen immediately. Form your LLC first, then apply. All 50 states use the same federal application.
CostFreeNo IRS fee, ever
Time~15 minOnline, instant confirmation
WhereIRS.govAvoid third-party sites that charge fees
WhenAfter LLC formationForm your LLC first, then apply
Your LLC's permanent federal tax identifier, like an SSN for your business.
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a 9-digit federal tax identification number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the format XX-XXXXXXX. It identifies your LLC for federal tax purposes, the same way a Social Security Number (SSN) identifies an individual.
You may also see it called a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), Federal Tax ID, or Tax ID Number, these all refer to the same 9-digit number. When a bank, vendor, or government form asks for your "Tax ID Number" or "TIN," they typically want your EIN if you are a business entity.
The IRS uses your EIN to track your LLC's tax filings, payments, and compliance history. It is permanent, once issued, your EIN stays with your LLC for its entire existence, even if you change your LLC name, address, or add/remove members.
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Who Needs an EIN?
The IRS requires an EIN if your LLC meets any of the following criteria.
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Multi-member LLCs
All multi-member LLCs are required to have an EIN, the IRS treats them as partnerships by default, which requires a separate taxpayer identifier.
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LLCs with employees
If you pay W-2 wages to anyone (employees, not contractors), an EIN is mandatory for payroll tax filings and deposits.
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LLCs with a Keogh plan
A Keogh retirement plan requires an EIN because it is a separate tax-deferred arrangement that must be reported to the IRS.
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LLCs that withhold taxes on non-wage income for non-residents
If your LLC pays royalties, rent, or other income to foreign persons and withholds US taxes, an EIN is required.
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LLCs involved in trusts, estates, or nonprofits
Certain organizational structures (including grantor trusts, bankruptcy estates, and nonprofit entities), require an EIN.
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Single-member LLCs with no employees (not required, but recommended)
The IRS permits sole member LLCs without employees to use the owner's SSN for federal tax purposes. However, an EIN is still the right choice in almost every case. See below.
Why single-member LLCs should still get an EIN:
Virtually all banks require an EIN to open a business checking account
An EIN keeps your SSN off vendor and contractor tax forms (W-9s)
You need an EIN before you can file IRS Form 2553 to elect S-Corp status
Getting an EIN now avoids delays later when you hire your first employee
An EIN signals to clients and vendors that you run a formal business
The IRS online application is the only free option, takes 15 minutes, EIN issued instantly.
The IRS online EIN application is the fastest and only free option. The application takes about 15 minutes and your EIN is issued on the confirmation page immediately after submission. The application is available at IRS.gov Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time.
Before you start, have ready: your LLC's legal name (exactly as filed with the state), your Articles of Organization, your Social Security Number or ITIN, and your LLC's mailing address. Use the interactive tracker below to walk through each step.
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IRS Application Field Guide
Where applicants commonly make mistakes, and exactly what to enter.
LLC Name
Enter your name exactly as it appears on your Articles of Organization, including punctuation, abbreviations, and the LLC designator. If your Articles say 'Acme Services, LLC' enter that exactly. Mismatches between your EIN record and your state filing cause bank account problems.
Responsible Party
This is the individual who ultimately owns or controls the LLC. For a single-member LLC, that's you. For a multi-member LLC, members should designate one person. The responsible party must have an SSN or ITIN, the LLC cannot be its own responsible party.
Number of Members
Enter the actual number of LLC members as of the application date. '1' for single-member, '2' or more for multi-member. This determines your default federal tax classification, disregarded entity (1 member) or partnership (2+ members).
State of Organization
This is the state where your LLC was legally formed (where you filed Articles of Organization), not where you physically operate your business. If you formed in Delaware but work in California, enter Delaware.
Closing Month of Accounting Year
Most LLCs use December (calendar year). Enter December unless you have a specific reason for a fiscal year. Changing your accounting year later requires IRS approval, so pick carefully.
Highest Number of Employees Expected
Enter your best estimate for the next 12 months. If you are a solo owner with no employees, enter '0' for each employee type. This information is for IRS statistical purposes and does not restrict your hiring.
Principal Activity
Select the category that best describes your LLC's primary business. The list is broad. Most service businesses fit under 'Other' if no specific category matches. This has no legal effect on what your LLC can do.
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EIN Requirements by LLC Type
Requirements vary by structure, find your situation below.
Single-Member LLC
Recommended
Not legally required if you have no employees, but strongly recommended. The IRS treats a single-member LLC as a disregarded entity. Your EIN is used for entity identification while your SSN is used for income tax reporting on Schedule C. On the IRS application, select "Limited Liability Company" and enter "1" for members.
Always required. The IRS treats a multi-member LLC as a partnership by default, and partnerships must have their own EIN to file Form 1065 and issue Schedule K-1s to members. Enter the actual number of members on the application.
You must have an EIN before filing IRS Form 2553 to elect S-Corp tax status. The EIN is a required field on Form 2553. Get your EIN first, then file Form 2553 within 75 days of formation (or by March 15 for the election to take effect in the current tax year).
Non-US citizens who own a US LLC can obtain an EIN. If you have an ITIN, use the online application. Without an SSN or ITIN, apply via Form SS-4 by fax (4 business days) or mail (4 to 6 weeks). The responsible party on the application must be an individual, not the LLC itself. Foreign-owned single-member LLCs must also file IRS Form 5472 annually.
Your EIN appears on screen immediately. Download the confirmation PDF. You cannot return to that screen.
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Save your EIN confirmation PDF
Download and store it securely. This is your primary proof of EIN. Banks, vendors, and accountants will ask for it. The IRS also mails a CP 575 letter to your LLC's mailing address within 4 to 6 weeks.
2
Open a business bank account
Your EIN is the key requirement. Most banks also want your Articles of Organization and a photo ID. Keeping business and personal finances separate is the most important thing you can do to preserve your LLC's liability protection. Compare business bank accounts →
3
Check your BOI reporting position (probably nothing to file)
FinCEN's interim final rule of March 26, 2025 exempts every entity created in the United States from Beneficial Ownership Information reporting, so a US-formed LLC files nothing. Only entities formed abroad and registered to do business in a US state still report. The rule is interim rather than final, and a few states run their own transparency regimes, so it is worth confirming rather than assuming. Check whether BOI reporting applies to you →
4
Consider an S-Corp election (if profitable)
If your LLC is consistently generating $60,000+ in annual net profit, filing Form 2553 to elect S-Corp tax status can reduce your self-employment tax by thousands per year. You need your EIN before filing Form 2553. LLC vs. S-Corp: when it makes sense →
5
Update your operating agreement
Add your EIN to your LLC's operating agreement for the record. Some banks and contracts ask for it. Operating agreement templates →
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Register for state taxes (if required)
Some states require separate registration for sales tax, state income tax withholding, or state employer IDs. Your federal EIN does not automatically register you with your state. Check your state's requirements. LLC compliance requirements by state →
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Common EIN Mistakes to Avoid
These errors cause delays, bank rejections, and IRS headaches.
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Using a third-party site that charges a fee
Dozens of websites charge $50 to $300 to 'get your EIN.' They submit the same free IRS application on your behalf. Always apply directly at IRS.gov. It is always free and takes the same 15 minutes.
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Applying before your LLC is officially formed
Your EIN is tied to your LLC as a legal entity. You must file your Articles of Organization and receive approval from the state before applying for an EIN. Applying before formation can cause a mismatch between your state and IRS records.
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Entering your LLC name differently than on your Articles
The name on your EIN record must exactly match your state filing. If your Articles say 'Smith Consulting, LLC' but you type 'Smith Consulting LLC' (no comma), banks may reject your account application due to the mismatch.
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Closing the confirmation screen before saving your EIN
Your EIN appears on the IRS confirmation screen immediately after submission. If you close the screen without saving or downloading the PDF, you will need to call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line to retrieve it.
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Applying for multiple EINs for one LLC
Each LLC entity gets exactly one EIN. If you accidentally apply multiple times and receive multiple EINs, contact the IRS to have the duplicates closed. Using multiple EINs for one entity creates filing confusion.
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Confusing your EIN with your state tax ID
Your federal EIN and your state tax ID are two separate numbers issued by two different agencies. Many states require separate registration for sales tax, employer withholding, or other state-level obligations after you get your EIN.
Yes, always. The IRS issues EINs at no charge through its online application at IRS.gov. The application takes about 15 minutes and your EIN is issued instantly on the confirmation screen. Any website charging a fee to 'get your EIN' is a third-party service that submits the same free application on your behalf and pockets the fee. There is no reason to pay for this service.
About 15 minutes from start to confirmation. The IRS online application is available Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time. You answer approximately 10 questions about your LLC and receive your EIN on the confirmation page immediately after submission. There is no processing delay for online applications. Your EIN is active the moment it is issued.
Yes, but you need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. If you do not have an SSN (for example, you are a non-US citizen without work authorization), apply for an ITIN first using IRS Form W-7. Once you have your ITIN, you can apply for an EIN through the online application. Alternatively, non-US citizens without an ITIN can apply by fax (Form SS-4) or mail, which takes 4 to 6 weeks. You cannot use the online application without an SSN or ITIN.
You are not required to have one, but it is strongly recommended. The IRS allows single-member LLCs with no employees to use the owner's Social Security Number for tax filings. However, virtually all banks require an EIN to open a business bank account, and a separate business account is the most important thing you can do to protect your LLC's liability shield. An EIN also protects your SSN from being shared with vendors, clients, and contractors. Applying takes 15 minutes and is free, so there is no practical reason to skip it.
Yes. Your EIN is the primary identifier banks require for business accounts. Most banks also ask for your Articles of Organization (or Certificate of Formation), your operating agreement, and a government-issued photo ID. Some online-only banks (Relay, Mercury, Bluevine) accept just your EIN and formation documents with no branch visit required. Traditional banks may require in-person account opening. Your EIN must match your LLC name exactly as it appears in the IRS system, so make sure you enter your LLC name correctly during the EIN application.
Your EIN is permanent and retrievable. The fastest way to find it: check your original IRS confirmation letter (CP 575), any previously filed tax return, or your business bank account documents. If you cannot find it, call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933, Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Have your LLC name, address, and your own identity information ready. The IRS representative can look up and provide your EIN over the phone after verifying your identity.
Yes. The IRS cannot cancel an EIN, but it can deactivate it. Once assigned, an EIN is the entity's permanent federal taxpayer ID number. To deactivate it, mail a letter with the EIN, the LLC's legal name and address, the EIN assignment notice if you have it, and the reason for deactivating to Internal Revenue Service, MS 6055, Kansas City, MO 64108, or Internal Revenue Service, MS 6273, Ogden, UT 84201 (the IRS's Closing a business page lists Internal Revenue Service, Cincinnati, OH 45999 for the same letter). If the LLC made tax payments, owes business taxes or received a notice to file a business tax return, the IRS requires all outstanding returns to be filed and taxes owed to be paid before it deactivates the EIN. File the LLC's final federal return. On Form 1065 or a corporate return, check the 'final return' box; a single-member LLC that never elected corporate treatment reports its final year on the owner's return (Schedule C for most business activity).
No. One LLC gets exactly one EIN. The IRS issues EINs to legal entities, not to activities or bank accounts within an entity. If you have multiple businesses, each separate LLC gets its own EIN. If you run multiple business lines under one LLC (via DBAs), they all use the same EIN as the parent LLC. Applying for multiple EINs for one LLC will create IRS account complications. Contact the IRS to consolidate if this happens.
No. Your EIN stays the same when you change your LLC name. You do need to notify the IRS of the name change by writing a letter on your LLC letterhead to the IRS address associated with your tax return, or by noting it on your next annual tax return. The key is that your legal entity (the LLC) is the same. Only its name changed. Update your bank, state registrations, and any business licenses separately.
Usually not. If your LLC is the same legal entity that simply registered in a new state (via domestication or foreign registration), the EIN remains the same. You would need a new EIN only if you dissolved the original LLC and formed an entirely new LLC in the new state, because that is a new legal entity. Notify the IRS of your new address by filing Form 8822-B.
The IRS defines the responsible party as the individual who ultimately owns or controls the entity or who exercises ultimate effective control over the entity, not simply a person with authority to act on the entity's behalf. For most single-member LLCs, the sole member is the responsible party. For multi-member LLCs, members should designate one person. The responsible party must have an SSN or ITIN. You can update the responsible party at any time by filing IRS Form 8822-B.
Yes. A non-US citizen who owns an LLC can obtain an EIN. If you have an SSN or ITIN, you can use the online application at IRS.gov. If you do not have an SSN or ITIN, you must apply using Form SS-4 by fax or mail. The online application requires an SSN or ITIN. Fax applications take about 4 business days; mail applications take 4 to 6 weeks. There is no citizenship or residency requirement to own a US LLC or obtain an EIN.
No. They are separate numbers. An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is issued by the federal IRS and is used for federal taxes, banking, and entity identification. A state tax ID is issued by your state's Department of Revenue and is used for state income tax withholding, sales tax collection, and other state-level obligations. Some states also require a separate state employer ID if you have employees. After getting your federal EIN, check your state's requirements. Many states require separate registrations depending on your business activities.
No. A DBA (Doing Business As) or trade name is not a separate legal entity. It is simply an alternate name your LLC uses. Your LLC's EIN covers all trade names registered under it. You do not apply for a new EIN when you add a DBA. However, you do need to register the DBA name with your county or state (requirements vary), and you may need a separate business bank account in the DBA name, but that account still uses your LLC's EIN.
They are all the same number with different names. EIN (Employer Identification Number) is the IRS's official term. FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number) emphasizes that it is a federal identifier, used to distinguish it from state tax IDs. TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) is the umbrella term that includes EINs, SSNs, and ITINs. When a bank or vendor asks for your 'Tax ID Number' or 'TIN,' they typically want your EIN if you are a business entity. The format is always XX-XXXXXXX (9 digits with a hyphen after the second digit).
Edmond Hui is a software engineer and serial entrepreneur based in New York who has founded multiple online businesses across e-commerce, media, and information publishing. Before transitioning into tech, he spent years as a commercial real estate professional closing deals totaling over 100,000 square feet, giving him firsthand experience with business formation and entity structuring. He built MyStateLLC to provide the free, state-specific LLC guidance he wished existed when forming his own companies.
