EIN Phone Number

The EIN phone number is a number for the IRS that you can call to obtain your EIN. EIN stands for Employer Identification Number. An EIN serves as the identifying number for a business similar to the way an SSN does for an individual. Its primary purpose is for employee tax identification.

Why Do You Need an EIN?

Businesses require an EIN if they:

  • Formed recently
  • Hired employees
  • Opened a bank account
  • Need a line of credit or credit card
  • Changed the owner or character of the business
  • Created an LLC, trust, partnership, pension plan, or corporation
  • Represent an estate operating after an owner's death

Who Applies for an EIN?

The person who is considered the responsible party for the business at hand should apply for the EIN. This person usually has some level of control over funds and assets for the business.

Most businesses are required to get an EIN because this is how the IRS identifies them. This can even be said for sole proprietorships. Owners of these businesses are eligible to apply for an EIN to protect their SSN.

If the company is an LLC, one of the members must be designated as the responsible party for the LLC.

How Does EIN Filing Work?

Prior to applying for an EIN, be prepared to answer or have certain information available to you during the signing process. This includes the SSNs of the owners, reasons for filing, and estimated company wages. Applying for an EIN through IRS.gov is the simplest and cheapest way since it is a free service. It only takes minutes to do, and you'll receive an EIN immediately after completing the application.

The IRS cuts down on the time spent filling out forms by asking a series of questions before the form is filled out. Based on the answers, the form is auto-populated with them, and then the number is generated once the information is verified as correct. Those who cannot go through the process online can also call the Business and Specialty Tax Line. They're open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. locally. Reach the line by calling 1-800-829-4933 at any point during those hours.

The person on the other end of the line gathers your information, walks you through the entire process, and is able to give your EIN to you after just a few minutes. People from outside the U.S. should call (215) 516-6999.

Applying by mail by filling out the SS-4 form is another option, but it is not instant and takes up to five weeks. It is up to the person that fills it out to provide a complete form and a correct return address. This way of getting an EIN is not recommended if it is needed quickly.

Another slightly faster option is to apply for an EIN via fax. It only takes four days to process. But there is no way to confirm whether the form actually went through until the process is completed because it offers no way to confirm the status.

States on the East Coast will fax the paperwork to 631-447-8960. This includes:

  • New Jersey
  • West Virginia
  • Delaware
  • North Carolina
  • Georgia
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • New York
  • Rhode Island
  • New Hampshire
  • Washington, DC
  • Maine
  • Connecticut
  • South Carolina
  • Virginia
  • Vermont
  • Pennsylvania
  • Florida
  • Ohio

The mailing address is IRS Center, ATTN: EIN Operation, Holtsville, NY 00501.

Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan businesses should fax paperwork to 859-669-5760 or mail it to IRS Center, ATTN: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999.

All states listed below must fax to 215-516-3990 or mail it to IRS Center, ATTN: EIN Operation, Philadelphia, PA 19255:

  • New Mexico
  • Alaska
  • Nevada
  • Puerto Rico
  • North Dakota
  • Wisconsin
  • Tennessee
  • Nebraska
  • Oregon
  • Utah
  • California
  • Louisiana
  • Idaho
  • Wyoming
  • Oklahoma
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • South Dakota
  • Minnesota
  • Texas
  • Hawaii
  • Arizona
  • Alabama
  • Washington
  • Colorado

Be aware that a web search involving applying for an EIN produces a lot of third-party websites that require a fee. These are typically websites that help with the entire company formation process. If you elect to have assistance with the company formation process, you are allowed to opt out of having that service apply for the EIN on your behalf.

Submitting the application separately will not impact the formation. All you need to do is make sure that you retain records of the application and get the number. You are also permitted to fill out and submit all of your company documentation for formation yourself and pay only what your state requires. Company formation services charge for their fees on top of what the state filing fees cost. It's nice to have for those who want the assistance, but it isn't required.

If you need help with forming an LLC, you can post your EIN questions on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.