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How Do You Get an EIN?

Learn how to get an EIN directly from the IRS, who can apply online, what to gather first, and when phone, fax, or mail is required.

Direct answer

To get an EIN, apply directly through the IRS. The online EIN tool is free and can issue an EIN immediately if your principal business is in the U.S. or a U.S. territory and the responsible party has a Social Security number or ITIN. If your principal business is outside the U.S., or you cannot use the online tool, use the IRS phone, fax, or mail path instead.

U.S. or territory business + responsible party SSN/ITIN = online EIN path

EIN application paths

U.S. business with responsible party SSN or ITIN

Online EIN application

Complete in one session

Business outside the U.S.

Phone, fax, or mail

Online tool does not apply

LLC or corporation not formed yet

Form entity first

Entity details should match legal records

Need multiple EINs

One per responsible party per day

Daily IRS issuance limit applies

Third-party fee site

Avoid if only applying for EIN

IRS does not charge for EINs

Situation	Best IRS path	Watch for
U.S. business with responsible party SSN or ITIN	Online EIN application	Complete in one session
Business outside the U.S.	Phone, fax, or mail	Online tool does not apply
LLC or corporation not formed yet	Form entity first	Entity details should match legal records
Need multiple EINs	One per responsible party per day	Daily IRS issuance limit applies
Third-party fee site	Avoid if only applying for EIN	IRS does not charge for EINs

An EIN is not a state business license

An EIN is a federal tax identification number. It does not register your LLC with a state, create a business license, or replace state tax registration when those are required.

Apply for an EIN

1Form the legal entity first if you are creating an LLC, corporation, or partnership.
2Gather the responsible party's name, SSN or ITIN, entity type, address, and business purpose.
3Use the official IRS EIN application if you qualify for the online path.
4Complete the application in one session and print the EIN confirmation letter.
5Use phone, fax, or mail if the online tool is not available for your situation.

FAQ

Can I get an EIN for free?

Yes. The IRS says you can get an EIN directly from the IRS for free. Be careful with websites that charge fees for the same basic application.

Do I need to form my LLC before applying for an EIN?

Usually yes. The IRS recommends forming your business entity with the state first so the EIN application matches the legal entity name and structure.

Can I apply for more than one EIN in a day?

No. The IRS limits EIN issuance to one per responsible party per day, whether you apply online, by fax, mail, or phone.

Sources & method

We reviewed these references while writing this answer. Figures are estimates — confirm safety-critical work with a professional. Last updated June 7, 2026.