To get an EIN number, apply directly and free through IRS.gov — search for “apply for an EIN” or navigate to the application from the IRS website’s business section. The online application is the fastest method, issuing the number immediately upon successful completion. There is no legitimate reason to pay a third-party service for this — it’s genuinely free directly from the source, and a paid service offers no advantage beyond what applying yourself accomplishes for free.
What you need to know before applying
It’s genuinely free — directly through IRS.gov, with no fee whatsoever. Third-party websites that charge for “EIN application assistance” are charging for something the IRS provides at no cost to anyone applying directly.
The online application is fastest — completed and approved within one sitting, with the EIN issued immediately at the end of a successful application, rather than requiring days or weeks of processing time the way some other government paperwork does.
The online system has specific operating hours, not full 24/7 availability — if it’s inaccessible when you try, check the IRS website for its current posted hours rather than assuming something is broken.
One EIN per responsible party per day is a stated limit on the online system — relevant mainly if you’re helping set up multiple businesses or entities in a short period, since attempting a second application as the same responsible party on the same day will be blocked.
Not every business structure actually needs an EIN. A sole proprietor with no employees can often use their own Social Security Number for tax purposes instead, though getting an EIN anyway is still commonly worthwhile for keeping business and personal identification more separate, and is required regardless if you plan to hire employees or meet certain other specific IRS criteria.
Applying online
Go to IRS.gov and find the EIN application, either by searching directly for “apply for an EIN” or navigating through the site’s business-related section.
Confirm eligibility — the application requires the business’s principal location to be within the United States or a US territory, and the person applying (the “responsible party”) needs a valid Social Security Number, ITIN, or existing EIN.
Complete the full application in one sitting — this is genuinely important, since the online session cannot be saved partway through and resumed later; an interrupted session generally needs to be started over entirely from the beginning.
Receive the EIN immediately upon successful submission, along with a confirmation letter (Form CP 575) — save this document securely, since it’s commonly requested when opening a business bank account or completing other official business paperwork later.
Applying by mail or fax
For anyone who can’t or prefers not to use the online system, Form SS-4 can be submitted by mail or fax instead, though this route takes meaningfully longer — typically several days for fax, up to several weeks for mail, compared to the online method’s instant issuance. This remains genuinely free either way, the same as the online application; only the processing time differs.
What an EIN is actually needed for
Opening a business bank account — most banks require an EIN (rather than a personal SSN) to open an account genuinely titled to the business itself, which matters directly for keeping business and personal finances properly separate.
Hiring employees — required by the IRS for any business with employees, used for payroll tax reporting.
Certain tax filings — required for businesses structured as a corporation or multi-member LLC/partnership, among other specific situations the IRS outlines directly.
A worked example: applying right after forming an LLC
Say a new LLC was just approved by the state, and the owner wants to open a business bank account as soon as possible.
With the approved Articles of Organization in hand, go to IRS.gov and start the online EIN application the same day — there’s no waiting period required between LLC approval and applying for an EIN, and having the LLC’s exact legal name and formation state ready in advance makes the application itself quick to complete. Select the correct entity type (LLC) partway through, since the application asks about structure and this affects a few of the questions asked later in the process.
Complete the application in one sitting — setting aside roughly fifteen uninterrupted minutes is generally enough for someone who has their formation details ready beforehand, avoiding the risk of the session timing out or needing to be restarted partway through if interrupted by something else.
Once issued, immediately save Form CP 575 (the confirmation letter) somewhere reliable — a bank will very likely ask for it directly when opening the business account, and having it ready to upload or print avoids a delay at that next step, which is often the actual reason someone wanted the EIN quickly in the first place.
EIN vs Social Security Number: when each is used
For a sole proprietor with no employees, using a personal SSN for basic tax filing purposes is genuinely permitted in many cases, and getting an EIN isn’t strictly, legally required just to operate as a sole proprietor. That said, using an EIN instead of an SSN on business paperwork, invoices, and a business bank account application keeps a personal identifier out of routine business documents that might otherwise be seen by clients, vendors, or anyone else the business interacts with regularly — a genuine, practical privacy benefit distinct from the businesses that are legally required to have one (corporations, partnerships, multi-member LLCs, and anyone with employees).
Multiple businesses, multiple EINs
Each distinct legal business entity generally needs its own separate EIN — running two genuinely separate LLCs means applying for two separate EINs, one per entity, rather than reusing a single number across both. The “one EIN per responsible party per day” limit on the online system specifically accounts for this scenario, spacing out same-day applications from the same individual rather than blocking them outright over a longer period.
A quick reference
Just formed an LLC and need an EIN right away: apply the same day, no waiting period required, and have the formation details ready to move quickly. Considering whether to use an SSN instead: an EIN keeps a personal identifier off routine business paperwork even when not strictly required, which most people find worthwhile on its own.
When something’s not working
The online system is unavailable — check the IRS website’s posted operating hours for the EIN application system specifically; it isn’t accessible around the clock.
The application was rejected or errored out — confirm you haven’t already applied as the same responsible party earlier the same day, which the system blocks as a stated limit.
Not sure whether you actually need one — a sole proprietor with no employees may be able to use their SSN instead, though obtaining an EIN regardless is still often worthwhile for the reasons above.
Lost the EIN confirmation letter — the IRS can help verify or reissue confirmation of an existing EIN; there’s no need to apply for an entirely new number, since a business should only ever have one EIN.
Considering paying a third-party EIN service — there’s no legitimate advantage to this over applying directly and for free through IRS.gov yourself.
Whichever specific situation applies — brand-new LLC, established sole proprietorship, or a business adding a second entity — the underlying application process itself stays the same: free, direct through IRS.gov, and completed in one sitting, with the number issued immediately at the end rather than requiring any further waiting once the application itself has been successfully submitted and accepted by the system.
- ✓Apply directly through IRS.gov — it’s genuinely free with no legitimate reason to pay
- ✓Complete the online application in one sitting since it can’t be saved partway through
- ✓Save the EIN confirmation letter securely once issued
- ✓Check IRS.gov for current EIN system operating hours if it seems unavailable
- ✓Contact the IRS to retrieve confirmation of an existing EIN rather than applying for a new one
- ✕Paying a third-party service for something the IRS provides free directly
- ✕Starting the online application without enough time to complete it in one sitting
- ✕Assuming a sole proprietor always needs an EIN when an SSN may be sufficient
- ✕Applying for a second EIN after losing the confirmation letter for an existing one
- ✕Attempting a second same-day application as the same responsible party after being blocked
Frequently asked questions
How do I get an EIN number?
Apply directly and free through IRS.gov — the online application issues the EIN immediately upon successful completion.
Is getting an EIN free?
Yes, entirely free directly through the IRS. There’s no legitimate reason to pay a third-party service for it.
How long does it take to get an EIN?
The online application issues it immediately. Applying by mail or fax takes significantly longer — days for fax, up to several weeks for mail.
Do sole proprietors need an EIN?
Not always — a sole proprietor with no employees can often use their Social Security Number instead, though getting an EIN is still commonly worthwhile regardless.
Can I save my EIN application and finish it later?
No. The online application session must be completed in one sitting — it cannot be saved partway through and resumed.
What if I lose my EIN confirmation letter?
Contact the IRS to verify or retrieve confirmation of your existing EIN — there’s no need to apply for a new number, since a business should only have one.
- →Start with LLC formation first: how to start an LLC
- →Use your EIN to open an account: how to open a business bank account
- →Plan the business before applying: how to write a business plan
- →Start invoicing once set up: how to create an invoice