Key Takeaways:

  • Multiple EIN Lookup Methods: You can look up an EIN by checking tax forms, asking the company, searching SEC filings, or contacting the IRS.
  • SEC Filings for Public Companies: The SEC's EDGAR database provides EINs for publicly traded companies.
  • State Business Registries: Secretary of State websites offer business entity searches that may include EINs.
  • IRS Assistance: If you lose your EIN, you can contact the IRS for retrieval, but only if you are authorized.
  • Nonprofit EIN Searches: The IRS Exempt Organization Select Check allows EIN lookups for nonprofits.
  • Commercial Databases: Some private services offer EIN lookup tools, though they may require payment.
  • Avoid EIN Scams: Be cautious of third-party services that charge for EINs, as the IRS provides them for free.

How do I perform my EIN number lookup? You can get the EIN information of a business through several methods, including calling up the IRS service, checking tax forms, searching the SEC filings, and contacting the company in question.

How to Look Up an EIN

The IRS assigns a tax ID, commonly known as Employer Identification Number (EIN), for the purpose of tracking federal tax compliance of business entities. You'll need an EIN for purchasing or setting up a new business, changing the type of organization, and creating a trust, among others. An EIN provides business owners with an easy way of separating business tax compliance from their personal taxation.

Since most businesses including nonprofit organizations and state government agencies possess an EIN, you can use it to search for information about a particular business. You can use different resources for this purpose. However, note that illegal or unauthorized use of tax information that you collect may constitute a federal crime. You should request EIN information only for legal use.

If you regularly need to look up EINs, you may want to subscribe to a commercial database service. Several commercial database providers often come up with special offers and let you conduct a few free searches before requiring you to sign up.

Check the Tax Forms

Businesses often provide their EIN to their employees and contractors, who may require the number for filing their annual tax returns. You can check the latest Form 1099 or W-2 provided by the business. You will find the EIN at the top right corner of these forms alongside the name and address of the business.

Ask the Company

You can even call the company directly and ask for its employer identification number. Many companies do not mind providing the EIN details over the phone to help their employees and contractors with tax filing.

Most of the public companies include their EIN information in their financial documents like an earning statement. However, smaller businesses often prefer to keep their EIN details confidential to prevent potential tax fraud.

Search the SEC Filings

Public companies are required to file periodic returns and earning updates with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The EIN appears at the top of these documents. You can view the public documents filed with the SEC through EDGAR — the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system database. The database contains all the SEC filings of publicly traded companies. It's a free tool to look up an EIN of a listed company.

Using State Business Registries for EIN Lookup

Many Secretary of State websites allow you to search for business information, including EINs. Each state has its own database, often called a Business Entity Search tool. These registries typically provide:

  • Company name and status
  • Registered agent details
  • Business registration number
  • Filing history
  • EIN (if publicly available)

To find an EIN through a state registry:

  1. Visit your state’s Secretary of State website. A simple search for “[state] business entity search” should direct you to the correct page.
  2. Enter the company name or business ID. Some databases allow searches by officer names.
  3. Review the business details. Not all states disclose EINs, but you may find useful business registration details.

For example, California’s Secretary of State provides a Business Search tool, while Texas offers a Taxable Entity Search for EIN-related information.

Contact the IRS

If you are a business owner, you can call the IRS at 800-829-4933, Monday through Friday. You'll be required to complete the telephonic verification to receive the EIN details.

If you are an employee or a contractor or have some other legal right to receive the EIN details, you can call your local IRS service. You will not be provided the information over the phone, but the IRS will ask the concerned business entity to send you a copy of Form W-2 or 1099.

Avoiding EIN Lookup Scams

Some third-party websites claim to provide EIN lookup services but charge a fee or require unnecessary personal information. Keep these tips in mind to avoid scams:

  • EINs are free from the IRS. If a website asks for payment, it’s likely a scam.
  • Avoid providing sensitive information. Legitimate EIN lookup sources won’t require Social Security numbers or banking details.
  • Check official government sources. Use the IRS, SEC, or state government websites for EIN lookups.
  • Watch for misleading services. Some sites appear official but only redirect users to paid databases.

For secure EIN retrieval, use trusted sources like the IRS website, SEC’s EDGAR system, or state business registries.

Receiving Lost EIN Details From the IRS

If you have lost or misplaced your EIN, you can call the IRS to help you relocate the details. However, you must be an owner, partner, or an authorized representative to receive the EIN information. The IRS representative will provide you the information over the phone after confirming your identity.

Alternatively, you can ask an authorized representative of the business to submit Form 2848 to the IRS. You can then call the IRS along with this form.

EIN Lookup for Nonprofit and Exempt Organizations

Information pertaining to exempt organizations is available to the public. The IRS website has a specialized tool for performing a search on exempt organizations. Use the Exempt Organization Select Check to search for an organization by name. This will help you find the EIN and other details about the organization (amount of income, whether the exemption has been revoked, etc.).

Other Ways to Verify an EIN

  • Although businesses prefer to keep the EIN information private, employers rarely turn down a request for EIN confirmation.
  • You can often find the EIN mentioned on payroll checks and Form 1099 issued to contractors.
  • If authorized to do so, you can also run a credit report with an EIN to check whether the used EIN is correct.

Commercial EIN Databases

If you need to look up EINs frequently, commercial EIN databases might be an option. These services aggregate business information and provide EINs along with:

  • Credit reports
  • Company ownership details
  • Business financials
  • Corporate registration status

Some reputable commercial EIN lookup services include:

  • Dun & Bradstreet (D&B)
  • LexisNexis Business Insight
  • Experian Business Search
  • Cortera Business Directory

While these services often require paid subscriptions, they can be valuable for legal professionals, financial analysts, and business owners who need EIN data beyond what public resources provide.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I find an EIN for free on the SEC website?

Yes, you can search the SEC’s EDGAR database to find EINs for publicly traded companies. Private businesses and LLCs typically won’t have EINs listed there.

2. How can I look up an EIN for a private company?

For private businesses, try checking state business registries, tax forms (W-2s, 1099s), or contacting the company directly.

3. Can I get my lost EIN from the IRS?

Yes. If you are the business owner or an authorized party, call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 to recover your EIN.

4. Do Secretary of State websites provide EINs?

Some state business search databases may list EINs, but many do not. They do provide useful company registration details.

5. Is it legal to look up someone else’s EIN?

Yes, but only if the EIN is publicly available through official sources like SEC filings or IRS nonprofit databases. Misusing EINs for fraud is illegal.

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