How To Obtain An EIN For My LLC | Skip Costly Filing Snags

An EIN is a free IRS-issued 9-digit tax ID that helps an LLC bank, hire staff, and handle federal filings.

If you’re setting up an LLC, the EIN step tends to pop up at the exact moment you want to move fast: opening a bank account, setting up payroll, or filling out a vendor form. An EIN is the number the IRS uses to track a business for federal tax reporting.

This article walks you through the IRS process without fluff. You’ll prep the details the application asks for, choose the best filing path, and avoid the small mistakes that cause follow-up paperwork.

What an EIN is and when an LLC needs one

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a federal tax ID assigned to a business entity. Some LLCs must get one. Others can run for a while using the owner’s SSN or ITIN, then get an EIN when the business hits a trigger that requires it.

Common reasons an LLC gets an EIN

• You plan to hire employees.
• Your LLC has more than one member.
• Your LLC elects to be taxed as an S corporation or C corporation.
• You file certain federal returns tied to payroll or excise taxes.
• Your bank asks for one to open accounts under the LLC name.

If you’re unsure whether your setup triggers an EIN, you can still apply early. It’s free through the IRS, and it keeps your business paperwork from leaning on your personal tax ID.

Before you apply: details to gather so you don’t guess

The application itself is short. The drag comes from pausing to hunt for dates, street locations, and the right ownership contact. Gather these details first, then apply in one sitting.

LLC identity details

• Exact legal name of the LLC as filed with the state.
• Any trade name (DBA), if you use one.
• Business street location and mailing location (if different).
• County, state, and ZIP code.
• State of formation and the formation date.

Responsible party details

The IRS wants a real person listed as the responsible party. This is the person who controls, manages, or directs the LLC’s funds and assets. The IRS also asks for that person’s taxpayer ID number (SSN or ITIN in most cases). The official rule is laid out on the IRS page for responsible parties and nominees.

Activity and payroll details

• Primary activity (what you sell or do).
• Start date for business activity.
• Estimated employees in the next 12 months, if asked.
• Whether you expect to run payroll, and when the first wages may be paid.
• Your reason for applying (new LLC, banking, hiring, tax election, and so on).

How To Obtain An EIN For My LLC

Most LLC owners can apply online and get the EIN right away, at no cost, using the IRS EIN Assistant: IRS online EIN application. Start the session only when you can finish it, since the site is built for a single sitting.

Online application steps that match the IRS screens

1. Choose “Limited Liability Company.” The next questions sort your LLC by member count and tax treatment.
2. Enter the responsible party. Use the owner or controlling person, not a filing service.
3. Enter the LLC name and street location. Copy from your state paperwork so the records match.
4. Pick your reason for applying. Keep it aligned with what you will do next, like opening a bank account or hiring staff.
5. Answer the activity and payroll questions. Use plain, accurate descriptions of your work.
6. Save the EIN confirmation notice. Download or print it right after you receive the EIN.

Paper or fax route: Form SS-4

If the online tool doesn’t fit your situation, you can apply with Form SS-4 by fax or mail. The IRS hub page About Form SS-4 links to the form and the filing instructions, including where to send it.

Obtaining an EIN for an LLC with the IRS online tool

The EIN application creates a starting record for your LLC. A few choices matter more than they look, and getting them right saves time later.

Single-member LLC vs multi-member LLC

The application asks for the number of members so the IRS record lines up with the default tax treatment. If you elect corporate tax treatment, answer the election-related prompts consistently with your filings and payroll setup.

Business start date

Use a date that matches your records. Many owners use the date they began business activity. If you’re formed but not operating yet, you can still apply now and select a start date that fits how you’ll file and when you’ll start billing.

What “free EIN” means

The IRS charges no fee to issue an EIN. Still, a lot of paid sites mimic the look of an official application and charge a “filing fee” to submit information you can submit yourself. A simple check: the official online application runs on an irs.gov domain and is accessed through the IRS EIN Assistant link above.

Table: EIN application prep checklist for LLC owners

Use this checklist to gather the fields that most often cause mid-application pauses.

Field you’ll be asked for	What to enter	Where you can find it
LLC legal name	Exact name on state filing	Articles of Organization / approval notice
Trade name (DBA)	Public-facing name, if any	DBA filing or brand records
Formation state	State where the LLC was created	State filing confirmation
Formation date	Date the state accepted the LLC	Stamped filing or online portal record
Business street location	Physical street location tied to operations	Lease, home office records, registered location
Mailing location	Spot for IRS mail	PO box or admin location
Responsible party	Owner or controlling person	Operating agreement or ownership records
Responsible party tax ID	SSN or ITIN (most cases)	Personal tax records
Primary activity	Main line of business	Invoices, product list, service menu
Reason for EIN	New LLC, banking, hiring, election	Your next step
Payroll plan	Whether you’ll pay wages soon	Hiring plan and budget

Errors that cause delays after you get the number

Getting an EIN is often the easy part. The cleanup comes when banks or tax accounts flag mismatched records. These checks keep you out of that loop.

Responsible party mismatch

Listing a third party instead of the owner or controlling person is a common mistake. If the IRS record doesn’t match who runs the LLC, you may get extra verification requests later.

Name and mailing detail typos

Banks and payroll platforms often validate business identity. A missing “LLC,” an incorrect suite number, or a flipped digit in the ZIP code can trigger extra steps. Copy details from your state filing, then proofread once before you submit.

Not saving the IRS notice

Save the EIN confirmation notice the same day. Many third parties ask for that notice, not just the 9 digits.

Applying twice for the same LLC

Duplicate applications can create confusion when vendors and banks try to match your business profile. If you think you already have an EIN, search your records first. If you still can’t find it, the IRS can confirm it for you by phone after identity checks.

Table: Application routes and what you receive right after

These are the standard IRS routes. Choose the one that fits your access to a taxpayer ID and your location.

Method	Best fit	What you receive
Online EIN Assistant	Many U.S.-based LLCs with a taxpayer ID	EIN at the end of the session
Fax Form SS-4	Owners who can’t use the online tool	EIN returned by fax notice
Mail Form SS-4	Owners who prefer mail	EIN notice mailed back

If you lost the EIN letter or need proof for a bank

If the IRS notice is missing, you still have options. Start by checking prior bank paperwork, old payroll setup screens, and any tax filings you already made. If you still need official proof, you can call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line. The IRS lists EIN assignment contact details on its telephone assistance contacts for business customers page.

Have these items in front of you before you call:

• LLC legal name and any trade name.
• Street location that matches IRS records.
• Your role in the LLC (owner, member, officer).
• Your taxpayer ID used on the original application.

If the IRS confirms you’re authorized, you can request a replacement EIN verification notice (often called a 147C letter). Banks usually accept that as proof when the original notice is gone.

After you receive the EIN: simple next steps

Once the EIN is assigned, you can set up the basics and keep your records tidy.

Banking and payments

Open the business bank account using your EIN, formation documents, and proof you’re authorized to act for the LLC. If the bank requests the IRS confirmation notice, provide the PDF or printout you saved.

State registrations

Your state may require separate registrations for sales tax, payroll withholding, or other accounts. Keep the LLC name and street location consistent across accounts so notices land in the right place.

Record storage

Store the EIN notice with your formation paperwork, operating agreement, and any tax elections. If you later change the LLC’s legal name or the person who controls the funds, update the related records so the EIN profile stays consistent.

When you should get help before you file

Some cases get tricky, like foreign owners without U.S. taxpayer IDs or LLCs changing tax status right away. A CPA or enrolled agent can review your inputs so your EIN record matches how you’ll file.