How to Find My EIN Number Online: Quick Tax Guide

How to Find Your EIN and Why It Matters for Your Business

Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) is an essential part of your business’s identity - literally.

Your EIN is the official tax ID number that identifies your business to the IRS, the government, banks, lenders, and many of the companies you work with. If you’re a business owner who’s currently wondering where to find your EIN, it’s time to find it. Your EIN is absolutely essential, as it is often required when filing tax returns, opening a business bank account, or sending transactions to vendors.

Your EIN can be thought of as the business equivalent of a Social Security Number (SSN) but tailored for businesses rather than individuals. Similar to how an individual’s SSN is provided by the government as identification for tax tracking purposes, a business’s EIN is used to track and monitor a business’s tax compliance. Without your EIN, your business can’t function properly, so it’s essential that you know what it is and where to find it.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what an EIN is, why it matters, how to find yours, how to find another company’s, and how to apply for a new one if you’re just starting out. We’ll also show how Slash helps businesses obtain and manage EINs with expert-built business and financial management software.

What is an EIN, and why do you need one?

If your business functions include earning income, hiring employees, or filing taxes, then you need an EIN.

EIN or Employer Identification Number is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the IRS or Internal Revenue Service to identify a business for federal tax purposes. Your EIN is very closely tied to your business’s tax filing, and is sometimes referred to as a Federal Tax Identification Number or business tax ID.

While your EIN is essential as a business tax ID, this isn’t its only function. Instead, your EIN is a necessary point of identification in several reasons and instances:

Filing tax returns. The IRS requires EINs on your business tax returns.
Running payroll and withholding taxes. Your EIN is required when reporting wages and sending W-2 or 1099 forms.
Opening a business bank account. Almost all banks and credit unions require your business EIN to verify identity.
Applying for a business loan or credit card. Lenders may run credit reports, which are associated with your EIN.
Obtaining licenses or permits. From federal and state licenses to industry-specific permits, your EIN acts as your identifier.
Protecting your SSN. For sole proprietors, using an EIN instead of a Social Security Number reduces the risk of identity theft when filling out a W-9 or other documents.

Obtaining an EIN is required for your business to operate fully within the US financial system. Ensuring you understand the basics of your EIN will help your business be prepared for hiring, transactions, or tax filing.

Difference between EIN and TIN

EIN may often get confused with TIN or Taxpayer Identification Number. Both EIN and TIN refer to identification methods for tax purposes, with TIN being the more general term for any identification that the IRS uses to track taxpayers. EIN is a specific type of Taxpayer Identification Number tailored to businesses. Here’s the breakdown:

TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number): any number the IRS uses to identify taxpayers. This may include EIN for businesses, SSN (Social Security Number) for individuals, or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) for individuals without an SSN.
EIN (Employer Identification Number): a tax ID number or type of TIN specifically for business entities.

This distinction can become particularly valuable to note if you’re a sole proprietor. For sole proprietors, you may file taxes under your SSN; however, if you register your business as an LLC or corporation, that means you must apply through an EIN application to receive a new EIN with the IRS. Failure to apply correctly for an EIN for your LLC can result in tax filing penalties.

How can I find my EIN?

If you’ve already applied for and been issued an EIN, there are several ways to locate it. Fortunately, EINs are more commonly shared and made publicly available, so there are a number of options and business documents available where you can locate your tax ID number.

Here are some recommended documents to check:

EIN confirmation letter. When your EIN is confirmed, the IRS will send you a CP 575 Form, your EIN confirmation letter, which includes your EIN. This form may be digital depending on how you applied.
Tax returns. You’ll need your EIN to file taxes, so it will appear on any documents for your business tax return. Typically, your EIN should be listed at the top of these documents.
Payroll forms. On payroll forms, such as the W-2 or 1099, your EIN is required and must therefore be listed.
Bank account statements. If you’ve opened a business bank account, your EIN is very likely required. It will be recorded on documents and often found on your banking site.
Loan or license applications. Business loan files, credit applications, and permit paperwork all require EINs. Other licenses and loans may also be listed - check any recent documents for an EIN listing.

If you can’t locate your EIN on a business document, you can contact the IRS directly. If you take this approach, be prepared to provide your legal name, business address, and details about your business ownership.

Slash makes it easy to locate your EIN. If you’re a Slash user, simply log into your platform and navigate to Entity Settings in the bottom left corner. Click Entity Setting → General Tab → Business Information.

Listed under Business Information, you’ll find your EIN alongside your legal entity name and NAICS code.

How to find a company’s EIN (if it’s not yours)

It may be the case that you need to locate another company’s Employer Identification Number, when:

Filing 1099-NEC forms to report contractor payments over $600.
Completing W-9 forms when working with vendors or freelancers.
Verifying business legitimacy before entering into business dealings or large financial transactions.
(If you’re an individual) Filing unemployment benefits, where your employer’s EIN may be required.
Regulatory compliance in industries like insurance, lending, or healthcare.

There may be several reasons why you need a company’s EIN, but locating it can sometimes be challenging. While EINs are more commonly available than SSNs, the IRS does not allow a simple EIN search for all companies. Fortunately, there are still many ways to locate another company’s EIN:

Ask the company directly. Companies may often share EIN information via documents like W-9. Depending on your B2B relationship, you may be able to contact the company directly.
SEC filings. Public companies list EINs in documents filed with the SEC, including 10-K or 20-F.
IRS nonprofit database. The IRS’s Tax Exempt Organization Search can help you find EINs for nonprofit organizations.
Business credit reports. Some available reports from credit bureaus may include EINs.
Third-party EIN search platforms. Services like Middesk provide EIN lookups, although these sites are not verified.

Still stuck? Reach out to the company directly; emails and notifications can get overlooked, and the most reliable way to confirm an organization’s EIN is directly from the company itself.

Can I change or remove an EIN?

Once assigned, your EIN is permanent. You cannot delete it, but you can close the IRS account tied to it if your business is no longer active.

If you want to stop using your EIN

Send a closure request (often a letter) to the IRS.
Include your legal name, EIN, business address, and reason for closure.
Attach your final tax return marked as a final filing.

If you’re hoping to change your business without changing or recreating an EIN, you’ll need to contend with some limitations. For instance, some business changes will require that you create a new EIN. Here’s a breakdown:

You’ll need to apply for a new EIN if:

You change your business structure (e.g., sole proprietorship to corporation).
Significant ownership changes.
You start a new corporation or partnership.

You can keep your EIN if:

You change your business name.
You change your business address.

Even when making minor changes that won’t impact your EIN, you must still notify the IRS. If you have more than one business, using Slash’s multi-entity tools can help you manage multiple EINs for each entity.

How to apply for an EIN

If you don’t have an EIN yet, applying is straightforward if you’re a registered LLC or business corporation. Here are the simple steps:

Apply online through the IRS website. The IRS’s online EIN application is the most streamlined option, and you’ll get your EIN confirmation letter immediately once approved.
Submit Form SS-4 via fax or mail. Fill out and send an SS-4. Because it’s reliant on mail, this method may be slower.
Call the IRS (for international applicants). If you don’t have a U.S. Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), you can apply by calling the IRS directly. Check local numbers on the IRS website.

Get your EIN quickly with Slash

For many businesses, getting an EIN through the IRS can feel complicated. Slash simplifies the process.

EIN application support. Slash helps you get an EIN quickly, even if you don’t have a U.S. SSN. We also partner with platforms like Doola, offering support for LLC formation and other business services. Learn more at SlashX or contact our sales team for information and support.
Multi-entity support. Slash helps you manage multiple business entities and EINs from a single dashboard. Simply toggle between entities, and you can bank separately while staying in the same place.
Banking integration. Once your EIN is set, Slash integrates it into your business bank account, expense tracking, and reporting. You may also access unlimited virtual cards with up to 2% cashback through Slash.¹
Accounting integrations. Your EIN will be particularly useful during tax season. Fortunately, Slash will too. Slash integrates with accounting software to streamline, automate, and reduce the risk of manual errors in bookkeeping and tax filing.

Whether you’re applying for your first business EIN or managing several entities, Slash provides tools that simplify financial setup and ongoing compliance.

Learn more about how Slash can help your business with your EIN, tax filing, financial management, and more at slash.com

Frequently asked questions

Do sole proprietors need an EIN?

Not always. A sole proprietor can use their Social Security Number, but an EIN is often required for opening a business bank account or applying for a business loan. You’ll need to create an EIN if you transition to a corporation or register for an LLC.

Do you need a different EIN if you have multiple LLCs?

Yes. Each business entity needs its own EIN. Slash offers multi-entity management support, helping business owners streamline the management of multiple businesses in one dashboard.

Can you make your business’s EIN private?

No. EINs are listed on many public filings, particularly for corporations and nonprofits. They’re not considered sensitive in the same way as SSNs.