How to Get an EIN for Your LLC

Your LLC needs an EIN for banking, hiring, and taxes. Getting one is free through the IRS — here's the step-by-step process.

Getting an EIN for your LLC is the first administrative task most owners face after formation, because banks, payroll, and tax filings all revolve around this nine-digit number. An EIN, or Employer Identification Number, is your business's federal tax ID.

The short answer: you apply for an EIN free online through the IRS website, and the number is issued immediately. The IRS does not charge for EIN applications, so any service that asks for payment is charging for convenience, not for the number itself.

What an EIN is and why your LLC needs one

An EIN identifies your LLC to the IRS the way a Social Security number identifies you. You need it to open a business bank account, hire employees, file certain tax returns, and apply for licenses. Even a single-member LLC with no employees needs an EIN for banking.

The IRS uses the EIN to track your LLC's tax filings, and the number stays with the business for its lifetime. If your LLC later changes its name or address, the EIN stays the same.

Who can apply and what you need

The responsible party, usually the principal owner, applies for the EIN. You will need the LLC's legal name exactly as spelled on your formation documents, the responsible party's Social Security number, and the date and state where the LLC was formed.

You do not need a separate application form if you apply online. The IRS interview-style questions collect everything they need from you in about ten minutes.

How to apply online, step by step

Go to the IRS website and open the online EIN application. Confirm you are applying as a limited liability company, enter your formation details, state the reason for applying, and submit. The online application is available during IRS business hours, Monday through Friday.

When you finish, the IRS issues the EIN immediately and provides a confirmation letter you can save and print. Keep that letter for your records, because banks and other institutions will ask for proof of the number.

Applying by fax or mail as a backup

You can also apply using Form SS-4 by fax or mail. Fax applications are processed in about four business days, and mailed applications can take four to six weeks. The online application is the only method that gives you the number instantly.

Because the online route is free and immediate, there is rarely a reason to use paper. If the online tool is unavailable, the fax line is a reasonable fallback.

IRS online assistant hours and SS-4 alternatives

The IRS online EIN assistant is available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time, and it is the only method that issues the number instantly. If you apply outside those hours, the tool is unavailable, so you would need to wait for the next business day or fall back on a paper method.

Form SS-4 is the paper application behind every method. You can fax it to the IRS and receive your EIN in about four business days, or mail it and wait four to six weeks. The online assistant is free, and the IRS does not charge for any EIN application, so there is no reason to pay a third-party service for the number itself.

After you get your EIN

With your EIN in hand, you can open a business bank account, set up payroll, and register for state tax accounts. The EIN also appears on every tax return your LLC files, so keep the letter somewhere safe.

If you have not formed your LLC yet, the EIN comes after your state approves your formation documents. See how to start an LLC for the full order of operations. As of 2026, the IRS online application remains free and available to all domestic LLCs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get an EIN for an LLC?

The IRS online application issues your EIN immediately, usually within ten minutes. Fax applications take about four business days, and mailed applications can take four to six weeks. Online is the fastest and only instant method.

Is getting an EIN free?

Yes. The IRS does not charge for EIN applications, whether you apply online, by fax, or by mail. Be wary of websites that charge a fee, since the number itself is always free directly from the IRS.

Does a single-member LLC need an EIN?

A single-member LLC with no employees can report taxes using the owner's Social Security number, but banks generally require an EIN to open a business account. Most owners get one regardless because it keeps personal and business finances separate.

Do I need an EIN before I form my LLC?

No. You form the LLC with your state first, then apply for the EIN with the IRS. The IRS asks for your formation date and state, so the state filing must come before the EIN application.