The IRS charges $0 for an EIN, and any website that asks you to pay isn’t the IRS. Here’s how to get an EIN for your LLC in about 15 minutes: apply on the IRS website at IRS.gov/ein, answer the questions, and the number is issued the moment you finish. According to Bizee’s EIN guide, you don’t need a formation company, a lawyer, or a paid third-party site.
Below you’ll find what to have ready, a six-step walkthrough, what to do if you lose your number, and which sites to avoid.
Key Takeaways
- You apply directly with the IRS at IRS.gov/ein. The online application is free, takes about 15 minutes, and issues your EIN immediately, per Bizee and Beacon Nonprofit.
- Form your LLC with your state first, so the name on your application matches your state records.
- The IRS doesn’t offer a public EIN lookup for private businesses, but you can request your own tax transcripts for free to find a lost number.
- Never pay a website for an EIN. Check that the address ends in .gov before you enter your Social Security number.
What an EIN Is (and Isn’t)
An EIN is a nine-digit number the IRS assigns to identify a business for federal tax purposes. Think of it as a Social Security number for your business. Bizee notes that “tax ID” and “EIN” are often used interchangeably, though EIN is the official IRS term.
It is not your LLC’s formation. Your LLC exists once your state accepts your articles of organization, the document you file with the state to create the LLC. The EIN comes after that.
It’s also not a state tax ID. States may require separate registrations, such as sales tax permits, and those vary. Check your state’s Secretary of State or revenue department website.
Do You Need an EIN for Your LLC?
Many LLC owners do. Beacon Nonprofit notes that organizations generally need an EIN to open a bank account, hire staff, and receive grants. For an LLC, the common triggers are:
- Opening a business bank account (most banks ask for it)
- Hiring employees
- Having more than one member (owner), which generally means the LLC is taxed as a partnership by default and needs an EIN
- Giving clients your EIN instead of your Social Security number
A one-person LLC with no employees may not be strictly required to have an EIN in some situations. Most owners get one anyway. It keeps your Social Security number off forms and makes opening a bank account simpler.
The EIN also ties into how your LLC is taxed. If you’re weighing a corporate tax election, our breakdown of how an LLC and an S corp actually differ is worth a read first.
How to Get an EIN Step by Step at IRS.gov/ein
1. Form your LLC first
Get your state-approved articles of organization before you apply. That way the legal name on your EIN application matches your state records exactly.
The state filing fee goes to your state, and it varies a lot. Our guide to LLC filing fees by state shows the range, and your Secretary of State’s business portal has the current amount.
2. Gather what you need
Have these ready before you start:
- The exact legal LLC name from your state filing
- Your business address and mailing address
- The name and taxpayer ID (usually a Social Security number) of the “responsible party,” the individual who controls the entity
- The number of members and whether you’ll have employees
- The date the LLC was formed and your state
- Your expected tax classification, such as disregarded entity, partnership, or corporation election, as listed on the IRS online form
3. Go to IRS.gov directly
Type IRS.gov/ein into your browser. If you search instead, confirm the address ends in .gov before you click anything.
4. Complete the online application
Answer the questions in order and choose LLC as your entity type. Then review everything before you submit. A typo in the legal name or the responsible party’s details can cause trouble later, so slow down here.
5. Save your confirmation
Per Bizee, the IRS issues the EIN immediately upon completion. Download or print the confirmation and store it with your formation documents. Keep a digital copy in at least two places.
Here’s what most articles won’t tell you: losing this one page is the reason most people end up searching for a “lost EIN” later.
6. Start using it
Give the EIN to your bank when you open a business account. Keep it on file for payroll, tax filings, and vendor forms.
Example: How to Get an EIN for a One-Person Texas LLC
Say you’re forming a one-person LLC in Texas. You file a Certificate of Formation with the Texas Secretary of State (Texas’s term for articles of organization) and pay the state’s filing fee.
Once the state approves it, you go to IRS.gov/ein and apply. Bizee’s Texas EIN guide says the fastest route is applying online through the IRS, and that it’s free, takes about 15 minutes, and is immediate. Then you take the confirmation to your bank.
That’s the whole process.
How to Look Up a Lost EIN
The IRS doesn’t offer a public EIN lookup tool for private businesses, according to Bizee. Try these free options instead:
- Check your original confirmation. Look in your email, downloads folder, and formation documents.
- Check bank and tax paperwork. Your EIN is often on bank account documents, prior tax returns, and payroll records.
- Get your transcripts. Bizee notes you can request your own tax transcripts for free through the IRS Get Transcript Online tool at irs.gov, which will show your EIN.
- Contact the IRS. If none of that works, call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line. Find the current number and hours on IRS.gov rather than a third-party site.
Why You Should Never Pay a Third-Party Site for an EIN
Some websites look official, charge a fee, and simply fill out the same free IRS form for you. A few rules of thumb:
- The only official application is on IRS.gov.
- If a site asks for payment before showing you the application, leave.
- A paid formation service may offer to obtain an EIN as part of a package, but you never have to pay anyone for it.
- Don’t enter your Social Security number on a site you reached through an ad unless the address ends in .gov.
Where a paid service can genuinely save time is bundling your state filing, registered agent, and compliance reminders. Our comparison of LLC formation services in 2026 covers what to look for. The EIN itself isn’t something to pay for.
Common EIN Mistakes
- Applying before the LLC exists. The name may not match state records.
- Using a nickname or “DBA” as the legal name. Use the name on your articles.
- Losing the confirmation. Save it right away.
- Applying twice. One entity generally needs one EIN. If you’re unsure whether you already have one, search your records first.
For more on avoiding costly slip-ups, see our list of common mistakes to avoid when incorporating.
What to Do After You Get Your EIN
- Open a business bank account.
- Sign your operating agreement, the document that sets out how your LLC is run.
- Check your state’s requirements for annual reports and any local licenses.
- Set up bookkeeping to keep business and personal money separate.
- Check whether federal ownership reporting applies to you. Our post on the BOI report requirement in 2026 explains the current picture.
FAQ
Is getting an EIN really free?
Yes. According to Bizee and Beacon Nonprofit, applying online through the IRS costs nothing. Any fee you pay would go to a third party, not the IRS.
How long does it take to get an EIN?
Bizee says the online application takes about 15 minutes and issues your EIN immediately upon completion. Beacon Nonprofit cites 10 to 15 minutes. Your own time depends on how prepared you are.
Can I get an EIN before my LLC is approved?
It’s best to wait until your state approves your formation so the legal name matches. If you’re unsure about timing, ask your state’s filing office.
Can I look up my EIN online if I lost it?
There’s no public lookup tool for private businesses, per Bizee. You can request your own tax transcripts through the IRS Get Transcript Online tool, or check old bank, tax, and payroll records.
Do I need a new EIN if I change my LLC’s address?
Generally no, but changes in structure or ownership can matter. Check IRS.gov before you apply again.
Your Next Step
Haven’t formed your LLC yet? Start with our walkthrough on how to incorporate your business for free in 2026, then come back and apply for your EIN. Once the money starts coming in, our guide on how to pay yourself as a business owner is the logical next read.
Last updated: October 11, 2026
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Business formation rules, fees, and deadlines vary by state and change often. Always consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional before making decisions about your business.
