You can get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) free directly from the IRS. If you qualify for the online application and have your information ready, you can apply in minutes. Once the IRS validates and approves your application, it issues the EIN immediately. Ten minutes is not a guaranteed processing time; fax, mail and international telephone applications follow different timelines.
My Experience Applying as a Founder Outside the US
When I established Editorialge Media LLC, I was in Bangladesh and working through the requirements as a non-resident founder. The company was formed on February 21, 2023. An EIN was part of the process I needed to navigate for the US business, and I worked with a third-party company formation service rather than handling every step on my own.
From outside the United States, it can be easy to treat company formation and getting an EIN as one task. They are related, but they involve different authorities: a state forms the LLC, while the IRS assigns the federal tax ID. When a service is coordinating the work, I recommend understanding which part it handles, what information it submits, and which documents you will receive.
My account is limited to the circumstances I have described. I am not claiming that every founder needs an agent, that the IRS charged an EIN fee, or that my application took a particular number of days. The steps below explain the current IRS guidance; your method and timeline may be different.
What Is an EIN
An EIN is a nine-digit federal tax identification number that the IRS assigns to a business or other eligible entity. Depending on your circumstances, you may use it for payroll, business tax returns, banking or other legitimate business needs. You do not necessarily need employees to obtain one. An EIN does not create your company or replace state registration and licensing requirements.
Do You Need an EIN
You generally need an EIN if your business has employees or must pay certain employment or excise taxes. Corporations and partnerships generally need their own EINs. A sole proprietor with no employees may not need one for federal tax purposes, but may request one for a legitimate banking or state tax purpose.
Single-member LLCs need a closer look. The IRS says a sole owner of an LLC with no employees, no relevant excise tax obligations and no election to be taxed as a corporation generally does not need a separate federal EIN for that LLC. The owner may still request one, and banks may have their own requirements.
If your situation involves a foreign owner, tax election or change in ownership, check the IRS instructions or consult a qualified tax professional.
Before You Apply
The online application cannot be saved for later. Gather your legal business name and any trade name, entity type, business and mailing addresses, formation details, reason for applying, principal business activity and relevant employee information. You will also need the responsible party’s name and taxpayer identification number for an eligible online application.
The responsible party is generally the person who ultimately owns or controls the entity and its funds. An authorized representative may apply, but do not name a nominee simply to lend their name to the application.
If you are creating an LLC or corporation, form it with the state before applying for its EIN. Use the legal name from the formation documents.
How to Get an EIN Online for Free
1. Confirm you can use the online tool
The IRS says the online tool is for domestic organizations formed in the United States or a US territory whose principal place of business is in the United States or a US territory. The applicant must be the responsible party or an authorized representative and have the responsible party’s Social Security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Government entities should check the IRS exception and instructions.
2. Go directly to the IRS
Open the official IRS EIN application page and follow its application link. The IRS charges no fee for an EIN. Private businesses may charge for optional assistance, but you do not need to buy their service. Check that the website is on irs.gov before entering personal information.
3. Complete the application in one session
Answer the questions about your entity, responsible party and reason for applying. The application cannot be saved and expires after 15 minutes of inactivity. That is an inactivity limit, not a promise that every application takes 15 minutes.
For an LLC, do not assume its state-law label answers every federal tax classification question. Check the Form SS-4 instructions or consult a tax adviser if you are uncertain.
4. Review and submit
Check the legal name, responsible party and taxpayer identification number before submitting. The IRS limits applications to one EIN per responsible party per day across application methods. Use one method for each entity instead of automatically filing a second application if the first is delayed.
5. Save your confirmation
If the application is approved, the IRS issues your EIN immediately online. Save and print the confirmation letter and keep it with your business and tax records. Share it only for a legitimate business purpose.
IRS Online Application Hours
The IRS currently lists these hours in Eastern Time. Check the IRS page again before applying because availability can change.
| Day | Availability Eastern Time |
| Monday to Friday | 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. the next day |
| Saturday | 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | 6:00 p.m. to midnight |
Other Ways to Apply
Application route overview. Source: IRS.
| Method | Who can use it | Timing |
| Online | Applicants meeting IRS conditions | Immediately after approval |
| Fax | Applicants using Form SS-4 | Generally about 4 business days with a return fax number |
| Applicants using Form SS-4 | Approximately 4 weeks; delays possible | |
| Phone | Eligible international applicants | May be issued during the call; wait times vary |
For fax or mail, complete and sign Form SS-4. Where to send it depends on your circumstances. The IRS warns that high inventory may cause processing delays. Include a return fax number if you want a faxed response.
How International Founders Can Apply
If your principal place of business is outside the United States, the IRS says you cannot use its online EIN tool. Apply by fax or mail, or use the telephone option if eligible as an international applicant.
The IRS lists the international number as 267-941-1099, Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time. It is not toll-free. The caller must be authorized to receive the EIN and able to answer questions from Form SS-4. Prepare the form before calling.
What if you do not have an SSN or ITIN
The Form SS-4 instructions say that if the responsible party does not have and is ineligible to obtain an SSN or ITIN, enter “foreign” or “N/A” on line 7b. Follow the full instructions and determine your own eligibility for those numbers before using this entry.
A US registration alone does not automatically establish eligibility to use the online tool. Foreign-owned US entities may also have reporting obligations beyond getting an EIN; obtain advice appropriate to your structure.
Working With a Third Party as an International Founder
A formation service can help coordinate tasks, but the IRS does not charge for issuing an EIN. Ask for an itemized quote so you understand separate state formation fees, registered-agent fees, EIN assistance fees and recurring charges. You can choose whether the service is worth its cost for your circumstances.
Before authorizing an application, review the legal business name, entity details, addresses, responsible party, and the method the provider plans to use. A registered agent for state notices and an IRS third-party designee have different roles; retaining a registered agent does not by itself establish authority to receive your EIN. The IRS Form SS-4 instructions explain how an authorized designee can answer application questions and receive the assigned number. IRS Form SS-4 instructions
Ask the provider for a copy of the submitted Form SS-4, the date and method of submission, the EIN confirmation notice when available, and a clear contact for follow-up. Keep those documents securely. Never publish your EIN confirmation, SSN, ITIN, passport details or other sensitive records in a screenshot.
If an application is already pending, check its status before submitting another one. After the EIN is issued, review any state renewals, federal or state tax filings, and foreign-owned entity information reporting with an appropriately qualified adviser. Receiving an EIN is one step, not proof that all registration or tax obligations are complete.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Paying for a number that the IRS issues free. A private assistance fee is optional.
- Using a trade name where the application asks for the legal name. Check your formation documents.
- Naming the wrong responsible party. The person must generally exercise ultimate ownership or control.
- Submitting duplicate applications because the first is delayed. Check records or contact the IRS first.
- Treating an EIN as a business license. Separate state registrations, tax accounts and permits may apply.
After You Receive Your EIN
Save your confirmation letter, provide the EIN to your bank or other authorized recipients when needed, and confirm your payroll, tax and licensing obligations. Generally, a change in responsible party must be reported to the IRS on Form 8822-B within 60 days.
An EIN may be used immediately for many business needs, although other institutions may have their own verification processes. Ask the bank or agency if a newly issued number is not immediately recognized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an EIN really free?
Yes. The IRS does not charge a fee to issue an EIN. Private filing assistance is optional.
Can I get an EIN without employees?
Yes. Businesses may need or request an EIN for other legitimate purposes, including banking.
Can I get an EIN without an SSN?
Possibly. The online tool generally requires the responsible party’s SSN or ITIN, while Form SS-4 instructions address a person who has neither and is ineligible to obtain either.
Do I need a new EIN after changing my business name?
Generally, a name or address change alone does not require a new EIN. Certain ownership or structure changes can require one; check the rules for your entity.
What if I lose my EIN confirmation?
Check your business records. The IRS lists other confirmation methods, including an entity transcript, a digital CP575 for eligible Business Tax Account users, or a request for an EIN verification letter.
The Takeaway
Start at IRS.gov, confirm that you qualify for the online application and gather your information before opening the form. Eligible applicants can receive an EIN immediately after online approval. If the online route is unavailable, use the IRS instructions to choose fax, mail or the eligible international phone option.
