The online EIN application cannot be saved, and the session ends after 15 minutes of inactivity. Prepare the legal and tax details before you begin.
1. Confirm the entity is ready
- Determine whether federal tax rules require an EIN.
- If you are forming an LLC, partnership, corporation, or tax-exempt organization, finish the state formation first.
- Confirm that the entity does not already have an EIN and that a new number is actually required.
2. Identify the responsible party
Name the individual who ultimately owns, controls, or exercises effective control over the entity and its funds. Except for a government entity, the responsible party must be a natural person. Prepare that person’s SSN or ITIN. A nominee cannot be listed merely because the nominee handled formation paperwork.
3. Gather the Form SS-4 details
- Exact legal name and any trade name.
- Mailing address and physical location.
- Entity type and state or country of formation.
- Reason for applying and business start or acquisition date.
- Closing month of the accounting year.
- Expected employees and first wage-payment date, when applicable.
- Principal business activity and products or services.
- Third-party authorization when someone else will complete the request.
4. Select one filing method
Online: use the IRS EIN tool when the principal place of business is in the United States or a U.S. territory and the responsible party has an SSN or ITIN. The IRS currently lists availability in Eastern Time as Monday–Friday 6:00 a.m.–1:00 a.m. the next day, Saturday 6:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., and Sunday 6:00 p.m.–midnight.
Fax: submit the current Form SS-4 to the number in the current instructions. The IRS says a response is generally sent by fax within four business days when you provide a return fax number.
Mail: send the current signed Form SS-4 to the address in the current instructions. Apply at least four to five weeks before you need the EIN.
International telephone: this route is only for applicants without a legal residence, principal place of business, or principal office or agency in the United States or its territories.
5. Submit only one application
Use one method for the entity. EIN issuance is limited to one number per responsible party per day across online, telephone, fax, and mail requests.
6. Save and verify the confirmation
Download or print the online assignment notice before ending the session. Confirm the legal name, address, and EIN, then store the notice securely. Do not use the EIN in place of an individual SSN or ITIN.
Cost
The IRS does not charge a fee to issue an EIN.
Official sources
Related
EIN overview · Application checklist