An EIN is free from the IRS. The online application needs the responsible party’s Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If the responsible party has neither, you apply with Form SS-4 by mail or fax instead.
What an EIN is and who needs one
An Employer Identification Number is a nine-digit federal tax ID for your business. A multi-member LLC, an LLC with employees and an LLC that elects S corporation status all need one. A single-member LLC with no employees can sometimes use its owner’s SSN for federal tax purposes, but most banks still ask for an EIN to open a business account, and it keeps your SSN off documents you give customers.
It is free: watch for sites that charge
You can apply for an EIN directly with the IRS at no cost. The IRS and the Taxpayer Advocate Service have warned that some websites charge for the number itself. If you pay for help, you are paying for preparation and guidance, not for the EIN.
The online application
You can apply on irs.gov. You will need:
- Your LLC’s exact legal name, exactly as filed with the state
- The entity type, and the state and date it was formed
- The responsible party: for most LLCs this must be a person, not another company, with an SSN or ITIN
- Your business address and a short description of what the business does
The IRS limits how many EINs one responsible party can request in a day, so do not submit the form twice. When you finish online, you receive your EIN right away. Save the confirmation letter.
Who should be the responsible party?
The IRS wants the individual who ultimately owns or controls the entity, or has control over its funds and assets. If two people own the LLC equally, choose the one who manages the business and its money. Do not list your accountant, a friend who helped you or another company. A wrong responsible party is one of the harder EIN mistakes to fix later.
Without an SSN or ITIN
If the responsible party has no SSN or ITIN, the online tool is not available. You complete Form SS-4 and send it to the IRS by mail or fax, which takes longer. Foreign applicants have a phone option described in the IRS instructions.
Some owners choose to apply for an ITIN, which the IRS issues to people who need a tax ID but are not eligible for an SSN, using Form W-7. That is a separate process with its own documents. We can explain how the forms fit together. We cannot give immigration advice, and for questions about status you should speak with an attorney or a recognized accredited representative.
Common EIN mistakes
- A business name that does not match the Certificate of Organization.
- Choosing the wrong entity type, which can be hard to correct later.
- Naming the wrong responsible party.
- Applying before the LLC legally exists, or with the wrong formation date.
- Losing the confirmation letter. The IRS can issue a verification letter if you need one.
After you have your EIN
Open the business bank account, record the EIN with your operating agreement, and use it on tax forms and invoices instead of your SSN. Then calendar the state annual report. Read how to start an LLC in Pennsylvania for the full sequence, or see our EIN application help.
Questions
Q01Does an EIN cost money?
No. The IRS issues EINs for free. Any fee you pay to a third party is for their service.
Q02Can I get an EIN without a Social Security number?
Yes. If the responsible party has no SSN or ITIN, apply with Form SS-4 by mail or fax. It takes longer than the online application.
Q03How long does it take to get an EIN?
When completed online, the EIN is issued immediately. Mail and fax applications take longer.
Q04I lost my EIN letter. What do I do?
The IRS can issue an EIN verification letter. Contact the IRS business tax line or ask us how to request it.
Sources
- IRS: get an employer identification number
- IRS: instructions for Form SS-4
- IRS: Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Taxpayer Advocate Service: when taxpayers struggle to obtain an EIN (2025)
General information based on publicly available rules as of October 2026. Not legal or tax advice. Fees, deadlines and requirements change; confirm current details with the agency or a licensed professional.