Key Takeaways

  • The SEC’s EDGAR system is a primary tool for locating EINs of publicly traded companies.
  • EDGAR allows free public access to corporate filings, many of which contain EINs.
  • For private companies, local filings or IRS records may be more useful for EIN lookups.
  • EDGAR Next is an ongoing modernization effort aimed at improving accessibility and user experience.
  • Companies may be required to register and file specific forms (e.g., Form S-1, 10-K, 8-K) where EINs are often found.
  • Additional methods to retrieve EINs include contacting the IRS or checking prior tax documents.

You can find EIN number for a business in several ways. For an EIN of a publicly traded company, you can search the EDGAR database of the Securities and Exchange Commission. To find the EIN of a tax-exempt nonprofit organization, you can use the IRS online search tool. If you need to confirm the EIN of your own company, you can call the IRS service and get the EIN over the phone.

What Is an EIN?

The IRS, or the Internal Revenue Service, assigns a unique nine-digit tax ID to business entities, which is known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN). It's similar to a Social Security Number (SSN) except that it's assigned to businesses instead of individuals.

Almost all businesses and nonprofit organizations must obtain an EIN. This makes it a useful number for searching information about a particular business. You can either conduct a free EIN lookup or subscribe to a commercial database service. For example, in order to know your employer's EIN, you can just refer your W-2 form.

Some companies need not obtain an EIN. A sole proprietorship that does not have any employees can simply use an SSN of its owner instead of an EIN. Also note that unlike Social Security Numbers (SSN), an EIN can change.

If you conduct EIN lookup on a regular basis, it may be a better idea to subscribe to an online database service. Many commercial EIN providers offer some free searches to try out their services.

Locating the EIN of a Publicly Traded Company

You can find a filings page on the investor relations website of most publicly traded businesses. Alternatively, you can visit the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and check the documents filed by the company.

SEC maintains a searchable database known as EDGAR or the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system. It is a free service where you can search for forms and documents filed with the SEC by a listed company. Most of the documents submitted will have the EIN of the company mentioned on them. However, it may sometimes be difficult to sift through the documents in order to find the one with the EIN.

How to Use the SEC's EDGAR System to Find an EIN

The SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system is a free online database that contains corporate filings from public companies. Many of these filings list the company’s Employer Identification Number (EIN), making EDGAR a valuable resource for those conducting EIN lookups.

To find an EIN using the SEC’s EDGAR system:

  1. Visit the EDGAR Database: Navigate to the SEC’s EDGAR search page.
  2. Search by Company Name or Ticker Symbol: Enter the business name or stock ticker of the company.
  3. Review Filings: Look for documents like Form S-1 (for IPOs), 10-K (annual reports), or 8-K (material event disclosures). These often include the EIN in the header or near the company information section.
  4. Use Search Features: You can filter by form type or date range and even download documents for keyword searching.

This process may require scanning multiple filings, as not all forms will display the EIN prominently. Still, it remains one of the most reliable ways to find the EIN for a publicly traded entity.

Finding an EIN of Businesses That Are Not in EDGAR

It may take you more efforts to locate the EIN of a company if it's not in the EDGAR database. For instance, a company might have mentioned its EIN on any document filed with the local government. Say, for instance, the company has applied for a business license. You can now refer to the company's application (if it's a public record) to see whether you can find its EIN information there.

Similarly, for a nonprofit, tax-exempt company, you can perform a free search on the IRS's specialized search tool for tax-exempt groups.

EDGAR Next: A New Chapter in SEC Filings

The SEC has introduced EDGAR Next, a modernization initiative to make its filing system more user-friendly and accessible. While still under development, EDGAR Next will improve features such as:

  • Streamlined User Access: A single sign-on portal for filers, reducing administrative burdens.
  • Modern Interface: Enhanced search capabilities and a cleaner UI for easier navigation.
  • Digital Compliance Tools: Tools to help filers comply with new regulations and maintain accuracy.

Although primarily designed for filers, the modernization may also benefit public users by improving the clarity and usability of documents where EINs are found. The transition to EDGAR Next underlines the SEC’s commitment to transparency and data accessibility, making it even easier in the future to search for EINs using the system.

Locating a Lost EIN

If you misplaced or lost your EIN, you can recover it through any of the following ways:

  • Look for it in your previous tax returns, preferably the latest one.
  • Try to locate the IRS document that assigned you the EIN.
  • If you've provided the EIN to your bank or other agencies, they may have it on file.

How to Verify an EIN Through the IRS

Since EIN is treated confidentially by businesses, verifying an EIN can often be difficult without the authority of the company in question, with the only exception being tax-exempt organizations.

If you are the owner or an authorized representative of a business, you can call the IRS at 800-829-4933 to relocate your EIN. The IRS representative will ask you for some information for the purpose of confirming your identity. Once satisfied, he or she will confirm your EIN over the phone.

If you are not authorized to receive the information but still want to confirm an EIN that you have with you, you can ask the company to authorize the processing of tax information by filing Form 2848 with the IRS. You can then call the IRS with Form 2848 for EIN confirmation.

Finding EIN of Tax-Exempt Organizations

  • Information pertaining to tax-exempt organizations is freely available to the public.
  • The IRS has an online search utility that allows you to find information of any registered tax-exempt organization.
  • You just need to visit the IRS website and perform a search.
  • The search results will display EIN, as well as other data such as tax exemption status, tax-deductible donations, and the income of the organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the SEC’s EDGAR system used for? EDGAR is a public database where publicly traded companies file required documents. It’s commonly used to research company information, including EINs.

2. Can I find a private company’s EIN using EDGAR? No. EDGAR only contains filings from public companies. For private businesses, check with local government offices or contact the IRS directly.

3. Which SEC filings typically include EINs? Forms such as the 10-K, S-1, and 8-K often contain the company’s EIN in their introductory sections or headers.

4. Is there a cost to use the SEC’s EDGAR system? No, EDGAR is free to access and use. Anyone can search and view public filings without creating an account.

5. What’s the difference between EDGAR and EDGAR Next? EDGAR Next is an upcoming update to the EDGAR system. It aims to enhance usability for filers and researchers through interface improvements and regulatory tools.

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