What it's for
The EIN identifies your company to the IRS the way an SSN identifies a person. Banks require it to open business accounts, payroll can't run without it, and every business filing carries it.
Getting one without an SSN
US residents apply online in minutes. Non-residents can't use the online tool — they file Form SS-4 by fax or mail, listing a responsible party without an SSN/ITIN. Done correctly, the fax route returns an EIN in days to a few weeks.
Common confusions
- EIN ≠ ITIN — EIN is for the entity, ITIN is a personal number
- One EIN per entity; a new LLC means a new EIN
- Free from the IRS — anyone charging hundreds for "EIN filing" alone is reselling a free form
Go deeper
Related reading
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