When your LLC needs an EIN
- To open a business bank account (banks almost always ask)
- To hire employees
- If the LLC has more than one member
- If the LLC elects to be taxed as a corporation
- If you form a corporation (every corporation needs one)
- To register for some state taxes
A single-member LLC with no employees can sometimes use the owner's SSN for federal taxes, but an EIN keeps your personal number off invoices and forms like W-9.
How to apply
If the responsible party has an SSN or ITIN: apply online on the IRS website. The number is issued at the end of the session.
If the responsible party has no SSN or ITIN: submit Form SS-4 by fax or mail. International applicants can also call the IRS. You do not need to get an ITIN first. The full walk-through is in EIN without an SSN or ITIN.
Apply after the LLC is approved
Apply once the state has approved your formation document (Articles of Organization for an LLC, Articles of Incorporation for a corporation), so the legal name and formation date on the EIN match the state record exactly.
EIN, federal tax ID number and "state EIN" are the same thing
People search for a "Florida EIN", a "Texas EIN" or a "federal tax ID number". They all mean one thing: the nine-digit Employer Identification Number issued by the IRS. No state issues its own EIN. Each state has separate registrations, such as sales tax and unemployment tax, with its own tax agency, and those are not EINs.
What to have ready before you apply
- The exact legal name of the LLC or corporation, as approved by the state
- The date it was formed and the state where it was formed
- The LLC's mailing address and the address of its principal office
- The "responsible party": the person who controls the LLC, with their name and SSN or ITIN if they have one
- The number of members and how the LLC will be taxed
Having these ready is what makes the application quick. Most delays come from a name that doesn't match the state record or a missing responsible party.
Common mistakes
- Applying before the state approves the company, so the name or date doesn't match
- Using the wrong responsible party, such as a lawyer or filing agent instead of the owner who controls the LLC
- Paying a third party for the EIN as if it were a government fee, when the IRS itself charges nothing
- Losing the confirmation letter. Keep the IRS letter safe: banks and some platforms ask for it years later
How we do it
With Complete or Launch, we prepare and submit the EIN application right after the state approves your LLC or corporation, including Form SS-4 for owners outside the US. You receive the IRS confirmation letter (CP 575 or equivalent) to take to the bank. On the Essential plan the same service costs $59; the IRS itself never charges for an EIN.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost money to get an EIN?
No. The IRS issues EINs for free. Companies that charge are charging for preparing and submitting the application. Ours is included in Complete and Launch and costs $59 on Essential.
Can I get an EIN without a Social Security number?
Yes. Apply with Form SS-4 by fax or mail, or by phone if you are an international applicant.
Is an EIN the same as a state tax number?
No. The EIN is federal. State sales tax and unemployment tax registrations are separate, with each state's tax agency.
What is a federal tax ID number, and is it the same as an EIN?
Yes. For a business, the federal tax ID number is the EIN: the nine-digit number the IRS assigns to identify your LLC on tax forms and with banks.
Do I need an EIN number for an LLC or corporation?
You need one to open a business bank account, to hire employees, if the LLC has more than one member, or if it elects corporate taxation. A single-member LLC with no employees can sometimes go without, but most owners get one anyway.
Can a non-US resident get an EIN?
Yes. Owners without an SSN or ITIN apply with Form SS-4 by fax, mail or phone. We prepare and submit it for you with Complete or Launch.
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. For your specific situation, talk to a licensed attorney or CPA.