Jump to section
Key takeaways
- EINs are issued by the IRS — not by states.
- An EIN is required to file business tax returns, hire employees, and open most business bank accounts.
- Trusts and estates frequently need their own EINs for tax filings.
- Apply directly at IRS.gov — third-party services charge for what is a free service.
How Olomon thinks about this
Olomon treats each entity as a record with its own EIN, formation documents, ownership, governance, and balance sheet. That collapses the typical “which LLC owns what?” guessing game into a single source of truth.
Quick facts
In-depth definition
EINs are the social security numbers of legal entities. They appear on tax filings, payroll records, bank account openings, and credit applications. Households who run multiple LLCs, trusts, or other entities should keep an inventory of every EIN they own — it is a small data point that becomes critical at tax time, in due diligence, and during estate administration.
How to get an EIN
The procedural steps to obtain an Employer Identification Number directly from the IRS, free of charge.
- 1
Confirm you need an EIN
An EIN is required if you have employees, operate as a corporation or partnership, file employment / excise / alcohol-tobacco-firearms tax returns, withhold taxes on income paid to non-resident aliens, or operate certain trusts and estates.
- 2
Identify the responsible party
Designate a responsible party — the individual who controls, manages, or directs the entity and the disposition of its funds. The responsible party must have a valid SSN, ITIN, or EIN.
- 3
Apply directly through IRS.gov
Use the IRS EIN online application during operating hours (M–F, 7am–7pm Eastern). The application is free and the EIN is issued immediately upon successful completion. International applicants apply by phone; paper Form SS-4 by fax or mail is also accepted.
- 4
Save the CP 575 confirmation notice
Download and securely store the EIN assignment confirmation (Notice CP 575). Banks, payroll providers, and tax preparers will request it.
- 5
Use the EIN for federal filings
Use the EIN on every federal tax filing, payroll filing, employer information return, and (typically) bank account opening for the entity going forward.
Frequently asked questions
No. The EIN is federal. Many states issue separate IDs for state income tax, sales tax, or employer registration purposes.
Sources
Primary, authoritative references.
- 1
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) OnlineCited for: Authoritative IRS application path
Continue exploring
Cite this page
APAOlomon Editorial Team. (2026). EIN (Employer Identification Number). Olomon Financial Glossary. https://olomon.com/financial-glossary/ein-employer-identification-number