Apply for an EIN Online — Assisted IRS Filing

An Employer Identification Number (EIN), also called a Federal Tax ID or FEIN, is a nine-digit number the IRS assigns to identify a business for tax purposes. Every U.S. business entity that pays employees, opens a business bank account, files a business tax return, or issues 1099s needs an EIN.

It is the business equivalent of a Social Security Number. Once issued, it is permanent — the IRS almost never cancels or reassigns an EIN. If your business closes, the EIN is retired with it.

Common triggers for needing an EIN:

• Forming an LLC, corporation, or partnership
• Hiring your first employee
• Opening a business bank account (most banks require it)
• Filing employment, excise, or alcohol/tobacco/firearms tax returns
• Setting up a Keogh or Solo 401(k) plan
• Buying an existing business

1. Directly with the IRS (free). Use the IRS EIN Assistant. Free, immediate, but only works Monday–Friday 7am–10pm ET, only for applicants with a valid SSN or ITIN, and the session times out after 15 minutes of inactivity. If you hit reference 101 you cannot resubmit online.

2. Fax or mail Form SS-4. Required for foreign applicants without an SSN/ITIN and for anyone who hit reference 101. Fax responses take about four business days; mail responses take four to six weeks.

3. Assisted filing through Easy Legal AI. A flat service fee. We prepare the SS-4, submit the correct path for your situation, resolve 101 errors by fax when they come up, and email you the CP 575 letter plus store a copy in your Document Vault. Best for founders who want it done without learning IRS Form SS-4 line by line.

• Legal name and structure of the entity. For LLCs and corporations, the state must have already approved the formation.
• Responsible Party. One individual with a valid SSN or ITIN who controls the entity. This is who the IRS holds accountable.
• Business mailing address. A U.S. address — can be your registered agent or your home office.
• Reason for applying. Started a new business, hired employees, banking, changed organization type, or purchased a going business.
• Expected number of employees. In the next 12 months across three categories: agricultural, household, and other.
• Principal business activity and product/service.

1. Go to the IRS EIN Assistant (search "IRS EIN online" — never trust a paid ad that says "official IRS filing").
2. Choose the entity type (LLC, corporation, partnership, sole proprietor, estate, trust, or nonprofit).
3. Confirm the number of members and state of formation.
4. Enter the Responsible Party's name and SSN or ITIN. This is the person the IRS will contact.
5. Enter the legal name of the entity and mailing address.
6. Answer the questions about employees, excise taxes, and principal activity.
7. Choose to receive the confirmation letter online — download and save it immediately. The IRS will not let you re-download later.

Reference 101 — name conflict. The most common error. Recovery: file Form SS-4 by fax with a cover letter stating the LLC name and requesting manual review. Response in about four business days.

Reference 102 — SSN/EIN mismatch. Something in the Responsible Party's name and SSN combination does not match IRS records. Fix the entry and retry, or file by fax.

Reference 109/110/112 — technical error. Typically caused by an IRS system issue. Try again in 15 minutes; if it persists, apply by fax.

Assisted filing through Easy Legal AI includes fax escalation if you hit any of these codes, so you don't have to learn Form SS-4 to recover.

1. Save the CP 575 letter — this is the only original the IRS issues.
2. Open your business bank account. The bank will want the CP 575 plus your operating agreement and Articles of Organization.
3. If you want your LLC taxed as an S-corp, file Form 2553 within 75 days of formation.
4. Register for state tax accounts (sales tax, payroll withholding) — the EIN is a prerequisite.
5. Store the EIN with your Document Vault so it never goes missing.