Getting an EIN for Your US Business: Free, Even Without an SSN
An EIN is completely free from the IRS, and you don't need a Social Security number to get one.
In short: An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your business's tax ID with the IRS, and it is always completely free directly from irs.gov. You can get one even without a Social Security number (SSN), by submitting Form SS-4 by fax or mail. Be wary of any site charging a fee to issue one.
Who needs an EIN?
Per the IRS, you need an EIN if you plan to: hire employees, operate a partnership or corporation, pay sales or excise taxes, or change your existing business's legal structure or ownership. Even if you're not technically required to have one (say, a single-member LLC with no employees), most banks require an EIN to open an account in the business's name rather than your personal name, so it's usually worth getting regardless.
Information you'll need to prepare before applying
Whether you use the online tool or the paper SS-4 form, gather this information ahead of time to speed things up:
- The company's full legal name exactly as registered with the state (plus any DBA name, if applicable).
- The legal structure (sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, corporation) and the date it was formed or started operating.
- A valid US mailing address to receive correspondence, even a registered agent's address.
- The name of the "responsible party" and their personal tax ID (SSN or ITIN if they have one, or none if they're a foreign national).
- A brief description of the business's main activity (such as "consulting services" or "retail trade").
How to get one for free
- If you have an SSN or ITIN and your business is US-based: Use the IRS's free online tool, and you'll get your number immediately upon completing the application in the same session.
- If you don't have an SSN or ITIN (foreign applicant): You can't use the online tool. Fill out Form SS-4 and send it by fax or mail per the IRS's official instructions on its EIN application page. Response time is typically days to weeks.
- Keep your number somewhere safe. You'll need it to open a business bank account, file tax returns, and apply for business licenses.
Warning: sites that charge fake fees
Official warning: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has explicitly warned about websites that mimic the IRS's look — logos, colors, even the word "IRS" in the domain name — and charge fees up to $300 to "process" an EIN application. The real service from irs.gov is completely free and takes only minutes for eligible applicants using the online tool. If you encounter a site like this, report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
An EIN isn't the same as an ITIN or SSN
Many new immigrants confuse three different numbers: your SSN, your personal number as an individual; your ITIN, an alternative personal tax ID for those who don't qualify for an SSN (see our ITIN guide for details); and your EIN, your company's or business's number with the IRS. All three are entirely separate and serve different purposes.
| Number | Who's it for? | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| SSN | A citizen or resident authorized to work | Employment, Social Security, personal credit |
| ITIN | Someone without work authorization but with a tax obligation | Filing a personal tax return only |
| EIN | The business itself | Business bank account, hiring, business tax filings |
What do you actually do with an EIN once you have it?
Getting an EIN isn't the end goal — it's a step that unlocks other things: opening a business bank account separate from your personal one, applying for a business credit card in the company's name, registering with platforms that require a tax ID (like e-commerce platforms or payment processors), and filing your business's annual tax return if it's required to file separately. Keep the confirmation letter (CP 575) the IRS mails after approval — many banks ask for a copy when you open the account.
What if you lose your EIN or confirmation letter?
You don't need to reapply. Call the IRS's Business & Specialty Tax Line, listed on the official IRS EIN page; the representative verifies your identity as an authorized party and then sends a replacement confirmation (a 147C letter) instead of a new number. Don't pay any third party offering to "retrieve" your number for a fee — this service is also free directly from the IRS.
When do you need a new EIN?
If you change your business's legal structure (say, from sole proprietorship to LLC), add partners, or buy an existing business, you may need a new EIN rather than an update to the old one. Check the IRS's official "When to get a new EIN" page to confirm your exact situation before assuming.
| Situation | Need a new EIN? |
|---|---|
| Just changing the business's trade name (no structure change) | No, usually just notify the IRS of the new name |
| Converting a sole proprietorship to an LLC | Usually yes, since the legal entity changed |
| Adding a partner so a sole proprietorship becomes a partnership | Yes, the legal structure changed entirely |
| Changing the business address within the same state | No, just update the address with the IRS |
| Buying an entire existing business and continuing it as new ownership | Yes, don't use the previous owner's EIN |
This table is a general summary; edge cases (like converting a single-member LLC into a multi-member LLC) have more precise rules, so always check the official page or consult an accountant before assuming.
An important note for foreign-owned businesses
If your business is a single-member LLC wholly owned by a foreign person (not a US citizen or tax resident), once you get an EIN the business is generally required to file an additional informational form (Form 5472) attached to a pro forma return, even if the business earned no income that year. This is a separate reporting obligation from income tax itself, and the penalty for not filing or filing late is relatively steep under IRS rules. If this applies to your situation, consult an accountant who understands foreign-ownership rules before your business's first filing season.
Common mistakes
- Paying a third-party site for an EIN. Never necessary — the official service is always free.
- Confusing an EIN with an ITIN or SSN. Each number serves a completely different purpose in the US tax system.
- Waiting to get an EIN until you're ready to open a bank account. Actually delays opening the account — get it first.
- Using an old EIN after changing your business's legal structure. Can cause problems when filing taxes later.
What's next
Once you have your EIN, open a business bank account right away. If you haven't formed your business yet, see our starting a business guide for the full steps, and if you also need a personal tax ID, check our ITIN guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is an EIN really free?
Yes, the IRS officially confirms it's completely free, and you should never pay a fee to get one directly from irs.gov.
Can I get an EIN without a Social Security number?
Yes. If you don't have an SSN or ITIN, submit Form SS-4 by fax or mail (you can't use the online tool if your principal place of business is outside the US or you don't have a personal tax ID).
How long does it take to get an EIN?
Through the online tool for eligible applicants, it's issued immediately. By fax or mail for foreign applicants, it can take days to weeks depending on the method.
Does my single-member LLC need an EIN?
If you have no employees and no excise tax liability, you might not technically need one and can use your personal tax ID instead — but most banks require an EIN to open an account in the business's name, so it's usually worth getting anyway.
I saw a website asking for $300 for an EIN — is that real?
No, that's a scam the FTC has officially warned about. These sites mimic the IRS's look but aren't affiliated with it. The real service is completely free directly from irs.gov.
Is an EIN the same as a Social Security number?
No, an EIN is your company's ID number with the IRS, entirely separate from your personal Social Security number.
Official sources we reviewed
- IRS — Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online ↗
- FTC Consumer Advice — Don't pay to get your EIN ↗
- FTC — Warns Operators of Websites That Charge for an EIN ↗
- IRS — Single Member Limited Liability Companies ↗