How to get an EIN for an LLC
The EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a free 9-digit federal tax ID issued by the IRS. Every LLC needs one to open a business bank account, hire employees, file business taxes, or apply for a business credit card. Cost: $0. Time: 10 minutes online if you have a US Social Security Number or ITIN.
Don't pay $99–$300 for an EIN application. The IRS issues it instantly through a free wizard at irs.gov. The only legitimate reasons to pay a service: you don't have an SSN/ITIN and need a non-US filing handled, or your formation package already bundles it.
Path A — Online (US founders with SSN or ITIN)
- Go to
irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online - Click "Apply Online Now"
- Confirm the wizard's hours: Monday–Friday, 7am–10pm Eastern. Closed weekends.
- Click "Begin Application"
- Select Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- Enter the number of LLC members and the state of formation
- Confirm tax classification (single-member = disregarded entity by default; multi-member = partnership; S-corp election filed separately on Form 2553)
- Enter the responsible party's name and SSN or ITIN. The "responsible party" is the person who controls the LLC — usually the sole owner for SMLLC, the managing member for multi-member.
- Enter the LLC's legal name (matching the Articles of Organization), trade name (DBA, optional), and physical address (cannot be a PO box for the responsible party)
- Answer the activity questions (NAICS code or general description)
- Submit
The wizard issues the 9-digit EIN immediately. Download the CP 575 confirmation letter as a PDF — this is the only time you can get it. The IRS doesn't reissue CP 575s; if you lose it, you have to request a 147C verification letter (10–14 business days). Save the PDF in two places.
One catch: each responsible party can only get one EIN per day through the online system. If you're forming three LLCs in one afternoon, you'll get the first EIN online and have to file Form SS-4 by fax for the others.
Path B — Form SS-4 by fax (no SSN or ITIN)
If you're a non-US founder without an SSN or ITIN, the online wizard rejects your application. The IRS still issues the EIN; you just file by fax instead of online.
- Download Form SS-4 from
irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-ss-4 - Fill it out. Most fields are obvious. Two non-obvious ones:
- Line 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN of responsible party): write "Foreign" if you don't have any of these
- Line 9a: select Limited Liability Company; check appropriate boxes for member count and tax classification
- Sign and date Page 2
- Fax the completed form to the IRS international applicant fax number: +1 855-641-6935
- Wait 4 business days for the EIN to be faxed back
If you don't have a fax machine, sites like HelloFax and FaxBurner let you send a single fax for $5–$10. Or use a formation service that handles SS-4 filing for you (Doola is the standard for non-US founders — they bundle EIN, formation, and US bank account intro for $297–$1,500/year).
Mail filing also works (~6 weeks): IRS, Attn: EIN International Operation, Cincinnati OH 45999. Faster to fax.
What you need before applying
- LLC must already be formed. File the Articles of Organization first; the EIN application requires the LLC's legal name and state of formation.
- Responsible party's name + SSN/ITIN (or "Foreign" for non-US founders without either)
- Physical US address for the LLC. PO boxes are okay for the LLC's mailing address but not for the responsible party.
- NAICS code — the 6-digit business activity code. Look up at
naics.com. Common ones: 541990 (general consulting), 541511 (custom software), 454110 (e-commerce), 531210 (real estate brokerage).
Tax classifications: what to elect
An LLC is a state-law entity, not a federal tax entity. The IRS lets you pick how the LLC is taxed:
- Single-member LLC, default: disregarded entity. LLC income flows through to your personal Schedule C. No separate business tax return.
- Multi-member LLC, default: partnership. LLC files Form 1065 + issues K-1s to members.
- S-corp election: file Form 2553 within 75 days of formation (or by March 15 of the year you want it effective). LLC files Form 1120-S. Triggers payroll requirements. Worth it if business profit exceeds ~$60K/yr — below that, the S-corp paperwork costs more than the SE-tax savings. See LLC vs S-corp math.
- C-corp election: file Form 8832. Almost never the right choice for an LLC unless you're raising VC or planning a corporate sale.
The EIN application asks how you'll be taxed. Pick disregarded or partnership during EIN setup; if you later want S-corp, file Form 2553 separately.
The "$0 IRS vs $99 service" question
Formation services upsell EIN applications at $50–$300:
- LegalZoom: $79 EIN add-on
- Bizee Gold/Platinum: included
- ZenBusiness Pro/Premium: included
- Northwest: $50 add-on
- Doola: included in Total Compliance ($297)
If your formation package already includes the EIN, take it — saves you 10 minutes of wizard time. If you'd be paying separately, do it yourself unless you're a non-US founder filing Form SS-4 by fax (in which case Doola or a similar service paying for the international filing is reasonable).
Common mistakes
- Applying for an EIN before forming the LLC. The wizard asks for the LLC's legal name and state — you need a state-stamped Articles of Organization first.
- Losing the CP 575. The IRS doesn't reissue it. You can get a 147C letter as a substitute, but it takes 10–14 business days. Save the original PDF in cloud storage immediately.
- Trying to apply for two EINs in one day. The online wizard limits one EIN per responsible party per day. Use fax for the second.
- Confusing EIN with state tax ID. The EIN is federal; many states (CA, NY, TX, others) also require a separate state tax registration. Check your state Department of Revenue.
- Paying $300 to a service for what the IRS does free. The IRS takes 10 minutes; the service takes the same and charges for the same data entry.
- Putting the responsible party's PO box on the application. Must be a physical address. The IRS rejects PO boxes for the responsible party (LLC mailing address is fine).
After you have the EIN
- Open a business bank account. Bring the CP 575 plus stamped Articles of Organization plus operating agreement.
- Register for state taxes if applicable. Sales tax, payroll tax, franchise tax all use separate state IDs.
- File the BOI report if you're a foreign-owned LLC (eliminated for US-person-owned in March 2025).
- Save the EIN somewhere you'll find it. 1099 forms, bank account applications, vendor onboarding, payroll setup all ask for it.
Bottom line
The EIN is free at IRS.gov and takes about 10 minutes online if you have an SSN or ITIN; the fax route takes roughly four business days if you don't. Save the CP 575 confirmation PDF in two places when it arrives. Don't pay $99 for what the IRS issues for $0 unless you're a non-US founder using a service like Doola that bundles the SS-4 filing with US bank account access. If you're forming with ZenBusiness Pro or Bizee Gold, the EIN is bundled — let them handle it.
Frequently asked questions
Do all LLCs need an EIN?
Most do. A single-member LLC with no employees and no excise tax obligations can technically use the owner's SSN for federal tax purposes, but in practice every commercial bank requires an EIN to open a business account, and every payment processor (Stripe, PayPal, Square) requires an EIN to onboard a business. Multi-member LLCs always need an EIN because the LLC files Form 1065 separately from any individual return. Practically speaking, every LLC opening a bank account or accepting payments needs an EIN.
How much does it cost to get an EIN?
Zero. The IRS issues EINs at no charge. The application is on IRS.gov under 'Apply for an Employer Identification Number Online' or by fax via Form SS-4. Formation services sometimes charge $50 to $79 for EIN assistance, which pays for the service to fill out and submit Form SS-4 on the LLC's behalf — not for the EIN itself. Applying directly to the IRS costs nothing and takes 10 minutes if the LLC owner has an SSN or ITIN.
How long does it take to get an EIN?
Online with an SSN or ITIN: immediate. The IRS online application issues the EIN at the end of the session, and the confirmation letter (CP 575) is provided as a PDF download. By fax via Form SS-4 (the only option for non-US founders without an SSN/ITIN): typically four business days, sometimes faster. By mail: four to six weeks. International applicants without a fax machine can use online services that fax to the IRS on their behalf for $20 to $50.
Can I get an EIN without an SSN?
Yes. Non-US founders without an SSN or ITIN apply by fax using Form SS-4. The form has a specific block for non-US applicants where the country of residence and foreign tax identifier are entered in place of an SSN. The IRS processes these applications in four to six business days and faxes the EIN back. The online application is not available without an SSN or ITIN, but the fax route is reliable and free.
Can I use my Social Security Number instead of an EIN for my LLC?
For a single-member LLC with no employees, yes, technically — the SSN can be used on federal income tax filings because the LLC is a disregarded entity. In practice, banks, payment processors, and payroll services all require an EIN, so using an SSN limits the LLC's ability to operate. Using an SSN also exposes the SSN on business documents, which creates identity-theft risk. Getting a free EIN takes 10 minutes online and eliminates these problems.
What do I do if I lose my EIN confirmation letter?
Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 between 7am and 7pm local time. After verifying identity (the caller must be an authorized person — owner, partner, or corporate officer), the IRS provides the EIN over the phone and can mail a 147C letter as a substitute for the original CP 575. Many banks and payment processors accept the 147C letter as equivalent proof of EIN. The IRS does not issue a duplicate CP 575.