An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is the federal tax ID number the IRS uses to identify your business. If you're forming an LLC, corporation, or partnership — or hiring employees — you'll need one before you can open a business bank account, file taxes, or apply for business credit.
What is an EIN?
An EIN — short for Employer Identification Number — is a 9-digit federal tax identification number assigned by the IRS to identify a business for tax purposes. It works the same way a Social Security number works for an individual, but it belongs to the business, not the owner.
The IRS uses your EIN to track your business's tax filings, payroll records, and federal tax obligations. Banks, lenders, and vendors use it too — it's the number that makes your business recognizable as a separate legal and financial entity.
Most entrepreneurs get an EIN when they form their business. It's one of the first things you'll need, and getting it early keeps the rest of the setup process moving.
Who needs an EIN?
Most businesses need an EIN. The IRS requires one if your business has employees, operates as a corporation or partnership, or meets other specific criteria. LLCs need an EIN if they have employees or are taxed as a corporation or partnership. Sole proprietors without employees may use their Social Security number instead — but an EIN keeps your personal number off business documents.
Here's a quick breakdown by business type:
Corporations and S corporations must get an EIN. Partnerships require one. LLCs need one if they have employees or elect corporate or partnership tax treatment. Sole proprietors without employees can skip it, but most choose to get one anyway.
Even if you're not required to have an EIN, getting one is worth it. You'll need it to open a business bank account, apply for business credit, and keep your personal and business finances separate.
How to apply for an EIN
You can apply for an EIN online through the IRS website, by fax, by mail, or by phone. The online method is the fastest — the IRS issues your EIN immediately after approving your application, as long as you apply between 7 AM and 10 PM ET, Monday through Friday. Applying directly through the IRS is free.
The online application takes about 15 minutes. You'll fill out Form SS-4 — the official IRS form for EIN applications — and submit it through the IRS EIN Assistant. Once approved, you can use your EIN right away.
Fax and mail are slower. Fax applications generally take about 4 business days. Mail applications can take 4 to 5 weeks. Phone applications are available for international applicants only.
One thing to know: the IRS limits online EIN applications to 1 per responsible party per day. If you're forming multiple businesses at once, plan accordingly.
What information do you need to apply?
To apply for an EIN, you'll need basic information about your business and the person responsible for the application. The IRS calls this person the 'responsible party' — they must be the principal officer, general partner, owner, or trustor with authority to sign documents on behalf of the business.
Here's what you'll need to have ready:
The legal name and address of your business, the type of entity (LLC, corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship), the reason you're applying, the date the business started or was acquired, the principal business activity, and the responsible party's name and Social Security number.
For LLCs, the responsible party is typically the owner or a managing member. For corporations, it's usually an officer. For partnerships, it's a general partner. Getting this right up front avoids delays — the IRS will reject an application if the responsible party information doesn't match their records.
How Bizee can help you get an EIN
Bizee handles the EIN application for you as part of its business formation process. You fill out a short online form with your business details, and we take it from there — filing the application with the IRS and delivering your EIN once it's issued.
EIN service is included at no extra charge in Bizee's Standard and Premium formation packages. If you've already formed your business and need an EIN separately, Bizee also offers it as a standalone service for $70.
The main reason entrepreneurs use Bizee for this is time. Doing it yourself through the IRS is free and not complicated, but if you're already using Bizee to handle your formation paperwork, having EIN service bundled in means one less thing to track down on your own.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get an EIN for my LLC?
You can apply for an EIN for your LLC online through the IRS EIN Assistant at irs.gov/ein. The application is free, takes about 15 minutes, and the IRS issues your EIN immediately upon approval — as long as you apply between 7 AM and 10 PM ET on a weekday. You'll need your LLC's legal name, address, and the responsible party's Social Security number.
If you'd rather not handle it yourself, Bizee includes EIN service in its Standard and Premium formation packages, or you can add it as a standalone service.
Is getting an EIN free?
Yes. Applying for an EIN directly through the IRS is free — there's no fee for online, fax, or mail applications. The IRS does not charge anything to issue an EIN. Third-party services may charge a fee to handle the application for you, but the EIN itself costs nothing from the IRS.
If you apply online through the IRS EIN Assistant, you'll get your EIN immediately at no cost.
Do I need an EIN if I'm a sole proprietor?
It depends. Sole proprietors without employees aren't required to get an EIN — you can use your Social Security number as your tax ID instead. But an EIN keeps your personal Social Security number off business documents, which reduces your exposure to identity theft. Plus, most banks require an EIN to open a business bank account.
If you plan to hire employees at any point, you'll need an EIN before you can run payroll.
How long does it take to get an EIN?
Online applications through the IRS are processed immediately — you get your EIN the same day, as long as you apply between 7 AM and 10 PM ET, Monday through Friday. Fax applications generally take about 4 business days. Mail applications can take 4 to 5 weeks.
For most business owners, the online method is the right call. There's no reason to wait weeks when the IRS can issue your EIN in minutes.
What can I use my EIN for?
Your EIN is your business's federal tax ID. You'll use it to open a business bank account, apply for business credit cards and loans, file federal and state tax returns, hire employees and run payroll, and fill out W-9 forms when working with clients or vendors.
It also keeps your personal Social Security number off business documents — which matters more than most people realize once you start working with banks, vendors, and contractors.
Get your EIN handled
Bizee includes EIN service in its Standard and Premium formation packages — no extra charge. If you've already formed your business, you can add EIN service on its own. Either way, we handle the IRS application and deliver your EIN once it's issued.