How to Get an EIN Number for Free (Fast IRS Method)

If you're setting up a business, the fastest and cheapest way to get an Employer Identification Number is directly through the IRS website - and it costs nothing. You can complete the whole thing in about 15 minutes and walk away with your number the same day.

Here's the short answer to "How do I get an EIN number for my business?": go to IRS.gov, use the free online EIN assistant, answer a handful of questions about your business, and the system issues your nine-digit EIN immediately. No fee, no third-party service, no waiting weeks.

Let's walk through exactly how to do it, what you need beforehand, and how to avoid the paid "services" that charge you for something the government gives away for free.

What an EIN Is (and Whether You Actually Need One)

An EIN - sometimes called a federal tax ID - is a nine-digit number the IRS assigns to your business for tax filing and reporting. Think of it as a Social Security number for your company. If you want the full breakdown, read our guide on what an EIN number is.

You generally need one if you:

• Hire employees now or plan to
• Operate as a corporation or partnership
• Form an LLC (most banks require an EIN to open a business account)
• File certain excise or employment tax returns
• Operate a trust, estate, or nonprofit

Even solo owners without employees often get one anyway. It lets you keep your Social Security number off invoices and vendor forms, and it's usually required to open a business bank account. If you're weighing your structure first, our walkthrough on how to start an LLC covers where the EIN fits in the sequence.

Get an EIN Number for Free - the Fast IRS Online Method

The IRS issues EINs at no cost. Anyone charging you a "filing fee" is reselling a free government service. Here's the direct route to a free EIN number.

Before You Start: What You Need

Gather these so you don't get timed out mid-application:

• Your legal business name and any trade name (DBA)
• The responsible party's name and SSN or ITIN - this is the person who ultimately owns or controls the business
• Your business structure (sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, corporation)
• Your business address and the reason you're applying (new business, hiring employees, banking, etc.)
• The number of employees you expect in the next 12 months, if any

One important limit: the IRS allows only one EIN per responsible party per day, so plan accordingly if you're forming multiple entities.

Step-by-Step: Apply for an EIN Number Online

1. Go to the official IRS EIN page. Navigate to the IRS "Apply for an EIN online" tool. Confirm the URL ends in irs.gov - this is the only place to apply for free.
2. Check that you're eligible for the online tool. Your principal business or office must be in the U.S. or a U.S. territory, and the responsible party must have a valid SSN, ITIN, or existing EIN.
3. Start the application. The assistant runs as a single session. You can't save and return, and it expires after 15 minutes of inactivity, so keep your details in front of you.
4. Select your entity type and confirm it. This drives which follow-up questions you'll see.
5. Enter the responsible party's information, your business address, and your reason for applying.
6. Review and submit. The system validates your answers on the spot.
7. Receive your EIN immediately. Download and save the confirmation notice (Form CP 575) as a PDF right away - this is your official proof and you'll want it for the bank.

That's it. The number is active immediately for most purposes, though it can take up to two weeks to appear fully in IRS systems for electronic filing.

When the Online Tool Is Open

The IRS assistant isn't 24/7. It's available (Eastern Time) Monday-Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., Saturday 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to midnight. If you hit an error, try again during these windows.

Other Ways to Apply for an EIN Number

The online method is fastest, but it isn't the only way to apply for an EIN number. Each of these still uses IRS Form SS-4 and remains free.

By fax: Complete Form SS-4 and fax it to 855-641-6935. Include a return fax number and the IRS generally sends your EIN back within four business days.

By mail: Mail the completed SS-4 to the IRS EIN Operation in Cincinnati, OH 45999. Expect roughly four weeks, so start well ahead of any deadline.

International applicants: If your principal place of business is outside the U.S., you can call 267-941-1099 (Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern) to get an EIN by phone - an option no longer available to domestic applicants.

Avoid Paying for a Free EIN Number

Search "EIN" and you'll see ads from companies promising to "file" your application for $50 to $300. They're filling out the same free IRS form you can complete yourself in 15 minutes. Unless you're bundling it into a broader formation package where the convenience is worth it, there's no reason to pay a middleman for the number alone.

The one legitimate exception: some LLC formation services include the EIN as part of a bundle. If you're already using one to handle your paperwork, letting them grab the EIN can save a step - just don't pay a standalone fee for it.

Is a Free EIN Number Legit - and Does It Ever Expire?

A common worry when you skip the paid services is whether a free EIN number is somehow less "official." It isn't. The EIN you get straight from IRS.gov is the exact same number the paid middlemen would obtain on your behalf - they simply submit the same free form and mark up the price. There is no premium, faster, or "verified" version of an EIN; every legitimate one comes from the IRS at no charge.

Your free EIN is permanent, too. Once issued, it's assigned to your business forever and is never reused or reassigned to another entity, even if you close the business. EINs don't expire and there are no renewal fees - anyone asking you to "renew" your number for a fee is running a scam.

If your business structure changes (for example, a sole proprietorship becomes a corporation), you may need to apply for a new EIN, but that application is free as well. The only time you'd contact the IRS about an existing number is to update your business name or address, which also costs nothing.

After You Get Your EIN

Once you have your number, keep the confirmation notice somewhere safe. If you ever misplace it, our guide on how to find your EIN number shows how to recover it without reapplying, and tracking down another business's EIN is a separate exercise with its own sources.

Your EIN unlocks the next moves: opening a business bank account, setting up payroll, applying for licenses, and filing taxes under the business rather than yourself. It's a small step, but it's the one that makes your business official in the eyes of the IRS.

Conclusion

Getting an EIN is genuinely one of the easier parts of starting a business. Go straight to IRS.gov, use the free online tool during its open hours, have your responsible party's details ready, and you'll have your number in a single sitting - no fee required.

Ready to take the next step? Grab your free EIN from the IRS today, then set up your business bank account so your finances start clean from day one.

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Sources:

• Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online - IRS
• Get an Employer Identification Number - IRS
• Instructions for Form SS-4 (12/2025) - IRS