How to Get an EIN for Your LLC
An EIN is your business Social Security Number — free from the IRS, takes 15 minutes online. You need it to open a bank account, hire employees, and file taxes. Here’s how to get it without paying a service fee.
What Is an EIN and Do You Need One?
If you have an LLC, you almost certainly need one.
What Is an EIN?
EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a 9-digit tax ID issued by IRS for your LLC, like SSN for your business. Format XX-XXXXXXX. You need EIN to:
- Open business bank account — all banks require EIN + Articles of Organization
- Hire employees and run payroll — W-2s, W-4s, payroll taxes
- File business taxes — Form 1065 for multi-member, 1120-S for S-corp election
- Apply for business credit cards, loans, and payment processors (Stripe, PayPal Business)
- Keep business and personal finances separate — required to preserve LLC liability protection
Even single-member LLC with no employees needs EIN — banks won’t open business account with SSN only, and using SSN exposes you to identity theft.
You Need EIN If:
• Formed LLC or corporation
• Have employees or plan to hire
• Multi-member LLC (required)
• Elect S-Corp or C-Corp taxation
• Open business bank account
Free From IRS
EIN is 100% free at IRS.gov — never pay IRS for EIN. Some formation services charge $70-$99 to file for you, but you can get it free yourself in 15 minutes if you have SSN or ITIN.
Non-US Residents
No SSN? You can still get EIN by mailing/faxing Form SS-4 to IRS — takes 2-4 weeks, or use service like Doola that handles EIN without SSN for international founders.
How to Get an EIN From IRS — 4 Ways
Online is fastest — instant approval. Other methods take weeks.
Online at IRS.gov — Instant, 15 Minutes (Best for Most)
Go to IRS EIN Assistant: irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-employer/businesses/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online
- Hours: Monday-Friday 7am-10pm EST — system offline nights/weekends
- Requirements: Must have SSN or ITIN, must be responsible party (owner), LLC must already be approved by state
- Process: Answer questions — legal name of LLC, address, responsible party SSN, reason for applying (started new business), date LLC formed
- Result: Instant EIN — you get EIN confirmation letter CP 575 PDF immediately, save it — banks ask for it
- Limit: One EIN per responsible party per day
Fax — 4-7 Business Days
Fill Form SS-4 (PDF from IRS) and fax to IRS fax number for your state. IRS faxes back EIN letter in 4-7 business days. Good backup if online system down.
Mail — 4-6 Weeks
Mail Form SS-4 to IRS service center for your state. Slowest method — 4-6 weeks. Only use if you can’t do online/fax.
Phone for International — For Non-US Residents Without SSN
If you are non-US resident with no SSN/ITIN, you cannot use online. You must fax or mail Form SS-4 to IRS, or call IRS at 267-941-1099 (not toll-free) Monday-Friday 6am-11pm EST. IRS assigns EIN over phone after verifying Form SS-4 info. Or use Doola/StartGlobal to handle EIN without SSN.
What You Need Before Applying
- LLC must be approved by state first — need legal name, state, formation date
- Responsible party SSN or ITIN (if you have one) — must be individual, not entity, for online
- LLC address and mailing address
- Reason for applying — “Started new business”
- Date you started/will start business and first date wages paid (if none, write N/A)
- What your LLC does — e.g., consulting, e-commerce, real estate
Common mistake: Applying for EIN before LLC is approved by state. IRS asks for LLC formation date and state — if LLC not yet approved, your EIN will be tied to wrong name/date and causes bank rejection. Form LLC first, wait for stamped Articles, then get EIN same day.
What to Do After You Get Your EIN
EIN letter is your most important business document after Articles.
- ✓Save EIN Confirmation Letter CP 575 — Don’t Lose It
IRS only issues CP 575 once. If you lose it, you must request verification letter 147C which takes 2-4 weeks by mail. Save PDF in 3 places: computer, cloud, and print copy. Banks ask for CP 575 to open account.
- ✓Open Business Bank Account Immediately
Take EIN letter + stamped Articles of Organization + Operating Agreement + ID to bank. Open separate business checking — commingling funds is #1 reason courts pierce LLC veil. Mercury, Novo, Relay are good online banks for LLCs.
- ✓Update Business Licenses, Stripe, PayPal, Amazon Seller
Use EIN for payment processors, business credit card applications, and vendor accounts — not SSN. Protects your SSN from identity theft.
- ✓Set Up Bookkeeping and Quarterly Estimated Taxes
Single-member default: Schedule C + Schedule SE on personal 1040, pay quarterly estimated taxes Form 1040-ES. Multi-member: Form 1065 + K-1s. S-Corp elected: 1120-S + payroll + W-2s. Use Doola bookkeeping or QuickBooks from day one.
Best Services to Get Your EIN Quickly
You can get EIN free yourself, or pay service to handle it — especially useful for non-US founders.
Bizee
Bizee includes EIN filing in Standard plan ($149 + state fee) or $70 add-on on Basic free LLC plan. They prepare Form SS-4 and file for you — good if you want LLC + EIN handled together without doing IRS online interview yourself. Free registered agent year 1 included.
Doola
Doola specializes in EIN without SSN for non-US residents — they handle SS-4 fax, IRS phone call, and follow-up to get EIN in 2-4 weeks when you can’t use online system. Also bundles LLC + EIN + US bank account + bookkeeping + annual tax filing.
LegalZoom
LegalZoom files EIN as part of LLC bundles or $79 add-on, plus handles S-Corp election Form 2553 if you want to save on self-employment tax. Best if you want EIN + attorney-reviewed Operating Agreement + S-corp filing in one place with attorney support.
| Method | Cost | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRS.gov Online Yourself | $0 Free | Instant — 15 minutes, PDF immediately | US resident with SSN, LLC already approved |
| Bizee EIN Service | $70 add-on or included Standard $149 | 1-2 business days after LLC approved | Want LLC + EIN handled together cheap |
| Doola EIN Service | Included in LLC bundle, or standalone for international | 2-4 weeks for non-US without SSN, instant for US | Non-US founder without SSN/ITIN |
| LegalZoom EIN Service | $79 add-on or included in bundles $199+ | 1-3 business days | Want EIN + legal + S-corp election |
| IRS Fax / Mail | $0 Free | 4-7 days fax, 4-6 weeks mail | Backup if online down, or non-US |
Our recommendation: If you have SSN and LLC approved, get EIN free yourself at IRS.gov — 15 minutes, instant PDF. If you are non-US resident without SSN, use Doola to handle EIN without SSN. If you want LLC + EIN filed together without doing IRS interview, use Bizee Standard $149 or LegalZoom for attorney-reviewed docs.
EIN FAQ
Technically you can, but don’t. IRS asks for formation date and legal name — if LLC name gets rejected or changed by state, EIN will be mismatched and bank will reject it. Form LLC first, wait for stamped Articles (1-7 days online), then get EIN same day.
Yes, for practical reasons. Banks require EIN to open business bank account — they won’t accept SSN for LLC account. Also needed for Stripe, PayPal Business, Amazon Seller, business credit cards, and to avoid using SSN on W-9s (protects identity theft). IRS says single-member disregarded can use SSN, but banks override that.
Without SSN, you cannot use online system. You must fax or mail Form SS-4 to IRS — takes 2-4 weeks by fax, 4-6 weeks by mail. If faxing, IRS often calls back to verify. Services like Doola handle this daily and follow up with IRS to get EIN faster for international founders.
No, EIN stays with entity even if you change LLC name via Articles of Amendment. You keep same EIN and just update IRS records with letter. You need new EIN only if you form new entity, change entity type (e.g., sole prop to LLC), or LLC adds partners and changes from disregarded to partnership (some cases).
Call IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 Monday-Friday 7am-7pm EST and request verification letter 147C. IRS mails 147C in 2-4 weeks, or faxes if you have secure fax. Banks accept 147C as substitute for CP 575. Save 147C same way — 3 places.
No. DBA is just a nickname, not separate entity — it uses same EIN as parent LLC. You cannot get separate EIN for DBA. Bank account title becomes “Pawtastic Holdings LLC DBA Pawtastic Grooming” using same EIN as LLC.
Ready to Get Your EIN?
Free at IRS.gov in 15 minutes if you have SSN, or let Bizee, Doola, or LegalZoom handle it for you — especially useful for non-US founders.
Affiliate Disclosure: This guide is reader-supported. If you sign up through links on this page, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Our editorial content is independent and not influenced by our affiliate partnerships. EIN is free from IRS — service fees are for filing assistance only.