How to Get a Business EIN Fast & Free in 2026 (Complete Guide)
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Information sourced as of December 2025. The procedures, phone numbers and filing requirements below were current when this guide was published and match our companion PDF. Rules change, so confirm at IRS.gov and fincen.gov before you file.
Three things to know before you start
An EIN is always free. Third party websites charge $50 to $300 for this. The Internal Revenue Service charges nothing. Apply at IRS.gov/EIN or call them directly.
You can only download your confirmation letter once. The IRS will not email it to you. Close that screen without saving and you have lost your only proof.
You cannot list your attorney or formation service as the Responsible Party. The IRS prohibits nominees and will reject the application.
Do you actually need one?
You must have an EIN if you hire or plan to hire employees, operate as a corporation or partnership, file employment, excise, or alcohol, tobacco and firearms tax returns, withhold taxes on income paid to non resident aliens, or have a Keogh retirement plan.
You may want one even when not required, to open a business bank account since most banks insist on it, to keep your Social Security number off business paperwork, and to build business credit separate from your personal credit.
You do not need one if you are a sole proprietor with no employees and none of the above applies.
The Responsible Party, and why applications get rejected here
This is the part that trips people up. The Responsible Party must be an individual person, not another company, and it must be the person who genuinely owns or controls the business, with ultimate effective control over its funds and assets.
The nominee prohibition. The IRS explicitly forbids listing nominees on Form SS-4, meaning people with limited authority just to file formation papers: attorneys, paralegals, registered agents, or corporate service companies. Listing one can get your application rejected and can expose your information to people who should not have it.
| Entity type | Typical Responsible Party |
|---|---|
| Sole proprietorship | The owner |
| Partnership | A general partner |
| Corporation | President, chief executive or principal officer |
| Limited liability company | Managing member or member manager |
| Trust | Trustee, grantor or owner |
Gather this before you begin
- Legal business name, exactly as it appears on your formation documents
- Trade name or “doing business as” name, if different
- Physical business address. Post office boxes are not accepted here
- Mailing address, which can be a post office box
- The Responsible Party’s legal name and title
- Business structure type
- Date the business started or was acquired
- Reason for applying, such as a new business, hiring employees, or banking
- Principal business activity, and your main product or service
Then check which path you are on. If the Responsible Party has a Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, you can apply online, which is fastest. If not, you must apply by phone or fax and write “Foreign” in the Social Security number field on Form SS-4.
The four ways to apply
| Method | Best for | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Anyone with a Social Security number or ITIN | Instant |
| Phone | International applicants without a US tax ID | Issued on the call, letter in 4 to 5 weeks |
| Fax | Those wanting written documentation | About 4 business days |
| No hurry, paper preferred | 4 to 5 weeks |
Online, the fast route
Two limits catch people out. The system runs Monday to Friday only, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern. It is not available around the clock. And 15 minutes of inactivity logs you out with no saved progress, so you start again from the beginning.
- Go to IRS.gov/EIN and choose Apply for an EIN Online
- Have everything from the checklist above in front of you
- Complete it in one uninterrupted sitting
- Submit
- Download your confirmation letter, Notice CP 575, immediately. You get one chance
Phone
International applicants: 267-941-1099, which is not toll free, 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern, Monday to Friday. Domestic applicants: 1-800-829-4933, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM local time, Monday to Friday.
Have a completed Form SS-4 in front of you to read from, and make sure the caller is authorised to receive the number. The agent works through the form, issues the EIN on the call, and mails confirmation within four to five weeks. Write the number down straight away.
Fax
From outside the United States: 304-707-9471. From inside: 855-641-6935. Download Form SS-4 from IRS.gov, complete and sign it, include a cover sheet with your return fax number, and wait roughly four business days for the return fax.
Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999. Keep a copy for your records. Four to five weeks.
Five mistakes that cost time or money
- Paying for a free service. Third party sites charge $50 to $300. It is free from the IRS, always.
- Listing a nominee as Responsible Party. Your attorney, registered agent or formation service cannot be named. Rejection follows.
- Using a post office box as the business address. The IRS requires a physical location. A box is fine for the mailing address only.
- Not downloading the online confirmation. Save the PDF, back it up, print copies.
- Applying more than once for the same business. Each entity gets one permanent EIN. If you lose it, call 1-800-829-4933 to retrieve it rather than reapplying.
After you have the number
Within the first day: save a digital copy somewhere secure, file a printed copy safely, give a copy to your accountant, check the legal name, address and Responsible Party details are all correct, then open your business bank account with the confirmation, your formation documents and your identification.
Beneficial Ownership Information reporting
Most new businesses must file a Beneficial Ownership Information report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network within 90 days of formation. It applies to limited liability companies, corporations and most entities created by filing with a state. Filing is electronic and free at fincen.gov/boi.
Civil penalties reach up to $500 per day, with criminal penalties possible for wilful violations. These requirements have shifted since this guide was written, so check fincen.gov for what currently applies to you before assuming you must file.
Then
Register for any state tax identification numbers you need, such as state withholding or a sales tax permit. Apply for local operating and professional licences. Set up your accounting system and chart of accounts.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does an EIN cost?
Nothing. It is free directly from the IRS. Third party services charging $50 to $300 are selling you something you can get for free in minutes.
How fast can I get one?
Instantly online if you have a Social Security number or ITIN. By phone it is issued during the call. Fax takes about four business days and mail four to five weeks.
Can I get an EIN without a Social Security number?
Yes, but not online. Apply by phone on 267-941-1099 or by fax, and write “Foreign” in the Social Security number field on Form SS-4.
Can my lawyer or registered agent be the Responsible Party?
No. The IRS prohibits nominees. It must be the individual who actually owns or controls the business.
Can I use a PO Box?
For the mailing address, yes. For the business address, no. The IRS requires a physical location.
I lost my EIN. What now?
Call 1-800-829-4933 to retrieve it. Do not apply again, since each entity is issued one permanent number.
Does a sole proprietor need one?
Not if you have no employees and none of the required conditions apply. Many sole proprietors still get one to open a bank account and keep their Social Security number private.
Official resources
- Apply online: IRS.gov/EIN
- Form SS-4: IRS.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-ss-4
- Domestic applicants: 1-800-829-4933, Monday to Friday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM local time
- International applicants: 267-941-1099, Monday to Friday 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern
- Beneficial Ownership reporting: fincen.gov/boi
Details as of December 2025. Procedures and filing requirements change, so verify at IRS.gov and fincen.gov before applying. GovClarity is not a government agency and does not provide legal or tax advice.
