If you have just formed an LLC, picked up your first freelance client, or want a business bank account for your side hustle, sooner or later someone will ask for your EIN. The good news is that getting one is free and, for most US businesses, takes a single online session with the IRS. This guide gives you the short answer first, then a prep checklist, the exact online steps, the other ways to apply, and what to do once your number arrives.
How to apply for an EIN online: the short answer
You apply for an EIN (Employer Identification Number) for free on the IRS website. The IRS online tool asks you a series of questions about your business and, if your application is approved, issues your EIN immediately online (IRS). You must finish in one session, because the application cannot be saved and it expires after 15 minutes of inactivity. The tool is for businesses based in the US or US territories, and the person applying needs the responsible party’s Social Security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer ID number (ITIN) (IRS).
One warning before anything else: you never have to pay a fee for an EIN (IRS). Some of the sites that rank for “apply for EIN online” are paid filing services that submit the same free IRS application for you. If a page asks for your card, you are not on the IRS.
Do you need an EIN?
An EIN is a federal tax ID number for businesses, tax-exempt organizations and other entities (IRS). The IRS says you need one if you have employees, pay employment or excise taxes, or withhold taxes on certain payments to non-resident aliens. You also need one to operate a partnership, an LLC, a corporation and several other entity types. Even if you do not need an EIN for federal tax purposes, you can still request one for banking or state tax purposes (IRS).
Multi-member LLCs and corporations
If your LLC has two or more members, or you run a corporation, plan on getting an EIN. A domestic LLC with at least two members is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes unless it elects to be taxed as a corporation (IRS), and partnerships and corporations are on the IRS list of entities that need an EIN (IRS).
Single-member LLCs
This is where most people get confused. The IRS says a single-member LLC that is a disregarded entity, has no employees and has no excise tax liability does not need an EIN, and can use the owner’s name and taxpayer ID for federal tax purposes. But it can still get one if it needs an EIN to open a bank account or if state tax law requires it, and the IRS notes that most new single-member LLCs classified as disregarded entities will need to obtain one (IRS). Once a single-member LLC pays wages, it must use its own name and EIN for employment taxes (IRS).
Banks often ask for an EIN when you open a business account for an LLC, so many owners apply right after forming the company. If you have not formed it yet, our guide to starting an LLC walks through the state filing first.
Sole proprietors and side hustlers
If you freelance or run a side hustle in your own name with no employees, you can usually report business income using your SSN. Many sole proprietors still get a free EIN so they can give clients a number other than their SSN on forms like the W-9, or because a bank asks for one. If you already have an EIN as a sole proprietor, you generally do not need a new one when you change your business name or location or own several businesses, but you do need a new one if you incorporate or form a partnership (IRS).
Before you apply: your EIN checklist
The online session times out quickly, so have everything in front of you before you start.
1. Form your entity with the state first
If you are creating an LLC, partnership or corporation, register it with your state before you apply for an EIN. The IRS warns that if you do not form the entity with the state first, your EIN application may be delayed (IRS). Have your formation documents handy, because you will need the exact legal name and the date the business started.
2. Know who the responsible party is
Every EIN application names a responsible party: the person who owns, controls or exercises effective control over the business and manages its funds and assets. It must be a person, not another company (government entities are the exception), and you list their name and SSN or ITIN (IRS). A nominee, meaning someone given limited authority only to help form the business, cannot apply and should not be listed (IRS).
3. Write your business name and address the IRS way
Enter your business name exactly as it appears on your formation documents. IRS systems only accept letters, numbers, hyphens and ampersands in business names, so you need to spell out or replace other symbols. For example, the IRS suggests “Jones.Com” becomes “Jones Dot Com” or “Jones Com”, slashes become hyphens, and apostrophes are simply removed. Street addresses are limited to 35 characters, so use USPS standard abbreviations (IRS).
4. Gather the rest of the details
Expect questions that mirror the paper application, Form SS-4: your entity type, why you are applying, your mailing address, when the business started, what it does, and whether you expect to have employees. Looking over Form SS-4 before you start is a quick way to see every question in advance.
5. Check the clock
The online tool is not open around the clock. It runs Monday to Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. the next day, Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to midnight, all Eastern Time (IRS). You can also only apply for one EIN per responsible party per day (IRS), so if you are setting up two businesses, plan for two days.
How to apply for an EIN online, step by step
- Check that you can use the online tool. You qualify if your organization was formed in the US or US territories, your principal place of business is there, you are the responsible party or their authorized representative, and you have the responsible party’s SSN or ITIN. If your principal place of business is outside the US, you apply by phone, fax or mail instead (IRS).
- Go to the official IRS page. Start from the IRS “Get an Employer Identification Number” page on irs.gov and click Apply for an EIN (IRS). Type the address yourself or use a bookmark rather than clicking ads.
- Choose your entity type. Pick the structure you formed, such as sole proprietor, LLC, partnership or corporation. For an LLC you may also be asked how many members it has.
- Enter the responsible party and business details. Add the responsible party’s name and SSN or ITIN, then the legal business name, address and the other details from your checklist. Keep moving, because the session expires after 15 minutes of inactivity (IRS).
- Review and submit. Check the spelling of the legal name and address before you submit. If the application is approved, the IRS issues your EIN immediately online (IRS).
- Save your confirmation letter. Print or save your EIN confirmation letter for your records (IRS). Store a copy with your formation documents, because banks and accountants often ask to see it.
If you are a third-party designee, such as an accountant applying for a client, you must have signed authorization to apply (IRS).
Other ways to apply for an EIN
Online is the fastest route for most US businesses, but the IRS offers alternatives if you cannot use the tool.
| Method | Who it is for | How long it takes |
|---|---|---|
| Online | US-based businesses whose responsible party has an SSN or ITIN | EIN issued immediately if approved (IRS) |
| Fax Form SS-4 | US-based businesses (fax 855-641-6935) | About 4 business days if you include a return fax number (IRS) |
| Mail Form SS-4 | US-based businesses (IRS, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999) | About 4 weeks (IRS) |
| Phone | International applicants (267-941-1099, Mon to Fri 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET) | Varies |
| Fax or mail (international) | International applicants (fax 855-215-1627 within the US or 304-707-9471 outside it) | Processing times vary |
The one-EIN-per-day limit applies whichever method you use (IRS).
After you get your EIN
What you can do right away
The IRS says you can use your EIN immediately for most business needs, such as opening a bank account, applying for business licenses and filing a tax return by mail (IRS). For many side hustlers, opening a separate business account is the first thing to do with it, because it keeps business income and expenses out of your personal account.
What can take up to two weeks
Some systems need time to recognize a new number. The IRS says to allow up to 2 weeks before your EIN will pass its TIN Matching Program, before you e-file a tax return, and before you make tax deposits and pay electronically (IRS).
Keep your records current
You do not need a new EIN to change your business name, address or responsible party (IRS). Instead, report a change of address or responsible party on Form 8822-B within 60 days (IRS). You generally do need a new EIN when you change your entity’s ownership or structure (IRS).
What about beneficial ownership (BOI) reports?
You may see older articles telling new LLCs to file a beneficial ownership information report with FinCEN after getting an EIN. Under FinCEN’s final rule, effective August 14, 2026, US companies are exempt from BOI reporting and are no longer required to file BOI reports (FinCEN). Only certain foreign companies registered to do business in the US still have to report.
Common EIN mistakes to avoid
- Paying for something free. The IRS application costs nothing, so a paid site is only charging you to fill in a free form.
- Applying before the LLC exists. Form the entity with your state first, or the application may be delayed (IRS).
- Letting the session time out. Have your checklist ready, since the tool cannot save your progress (IRS).
- Typing the name differently from your formation documents. Use the legal name and follow the IRS character rules (IRS).
- Applying twice. A business should have only one EIN. If you end up with more than one, the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 can tell you which to use (IRS).
- Losing the number. Check your confirmation notice, your bank or past tax returns first. If you still cannot find it, the same IRS line can give it to you over the phone after verifying your identity (IRS).
Once the paperwork is done, you can get back to the work itself. If you are still choosing what to build, browse our side hustle hub or our list of remote side hustles you can do after your day job, and see the best free AI tools for small business to keep admin light.
EIN FAQ
Is it free to apply for an EIN online?
Yes. Applying for an EIN directly with the IRS is free, and the IRS says you never have to pay a fee for one. Websites that charge for an EIN are third-party services that file the same free application on your behalf.
How long does it take to get an EIN?
If you apply online and your application is approved, the IRS issues your EIN immediately at the end of the session. Applying by fax takes about 4 business days if you include a return fax number, and applying by mail takes about 4 weeks.
Can I apply for an EIN online at any time?
No. The IRS online tool is available Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. the next day, Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 6 p.m. to midnight, Eastern Time. You can apply for only one EIN per responsible party per day.
Do I need an EIN for a single-member LLC?
Not always. A single-member LLC with no employees and no excise tax liability can use the owner’s SSN for federal income tax purposes. But it can still get an EIN for a bank account or state tax needs, it must have one once it pays employees, and the IRS says most new single-member LLCs will need to obtain one.
Do I need an SSN to apply for an EIN online?
You need the responsible party’s Social Security number or individual taxpayer ID number (ITIN) to use the online tool. If your principal place of business is outside the US, you apply by phone, fax or mail instead of online.
Do I need a new EIN if I change my business name?
No. You do not need a new EIN to change your business name, address or responsible party. You generally need a new EIN when your entity’s ownership or structure changes, for example when a sole proprietor incorporates or forms a partnership.
The bottom line
Form your business first, gather the responsible party’s SSN or ITIN and your exact legal name, then apply on IRS.gov during the tool’s opening hours and finish in one sitting. It is free, it usually takes minutes, and your EIN is ready to use for a bank account the same day. If you are still at the forming stage, start with our step-by-step LLC guide.
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