Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) online
Step 1: Determine your eligibility
To apply for an EIN online, your principal business must be located in the United States or U.S. Territories. The person applying online must have a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (SSN, ITIN, EIN). Please note the following:
- You are limited to one EIN per responsible party per day.
- The "responsible party" refers to the person who ultimately owns or controls the entity or exercises ultimate effective control over the entity.
- Unless the applicant is a government entity, the responsible party must be an individual (i.e., a natural person), not an entity.
Step 2: Understand the online application
When applying for an EIN online, you must complete the application in one session. You will not be able to save and return at a later time. Please keep in mind:
- Your session will expire after 15 minutes of inactivity, and you will need to start over.
Step 3: Submit your application
After completing all the necessary validations, you will receive your EIN immediately upon completion. You can then download, save, and print your EIN confirmation notice.
Employer tax responsibilities explained (Publications 15, 15-A, and 15B)
For detailed information on employer tax responsibilities related to taxable wages, employment tax withholding, and which tax returns must be filed, please refer to Publication 15, Publication 15-A, and Publication 15B. These publications cover more complex issues and provide guidance on the tax treatment of various employee benefits. We recommend employers download these publications from IRS.gov. Copies can also be requested online (search "Forms and Publications") or by calling 800-TAX-FORM.
Important
If the responsible party is an entity with an EIN previously obtained through the Internet, we cannot process your application online. Please use one of our other methods to apply. For more information, refer to How to apply for an EIN.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Purpose of an Employer Identification Number
Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) are issued for the purpose of tax administration and are not intended for participation in any other activities, such as tax lien auctions or sales, lotteries, etc.
Exempt organization information
If you believe your organization qualifies for tax-exempt status (whether or not you have a requirement to apply for a formal ruling), ensure that your organization is legally formed before applying for an EIN. Almost all organizations exempt under IRC 501(a) are subject to automatic revocation of their tax-exempt status if they fail to file a required annual information return or notice for three consecutive years.
When you apply for an EIN, we presume your organization is legally formed, and the clock starts running on a three-year period. Here's an example to help you understand:
- Your organization applies for an EIN in November 2023 and chooses a December accounting period.
- Your first tax period would end on December 31, 2023, and your first return or notice (if your organization does not meet one of the few exceptions to the annual reporting requirement) would be due on May 15, 2024.
- You would be subject to automatic revocation of your exemption if you fail to file for the three periods that end on December 31, 2025 (return/notice due May 15, 2026), or for any consecutive three-year period thereafter.
Reporting of beneficial ownership information
Certain types of corporations, limited liability companies, and other similar entities created in or registered to do business in the United States may be required to report information about their beneficial owners to the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). This reporting requirement begins on January 1, 2024.
If you are a company required to report, the initial beneficial ownership information reporting is based on the date your company receives actual notice that its creation or registration is effective, or after a secretary of state or similar office first provides public notice of its creation or registration, whichever is earlier.
For more information on reporting beneficial ownership information, including whether your company is required to report and who qualifies as a beneficial owner, please visit FinCEN's website. Please direct any inquiries regarding beneficial ownership information to FinCEN and not the IRS.
Related topics
For more information on related topics, please refer to the following resources: