An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit federal tax identification number, usually written as 12-3456789. If you lost your EIN, check the original IRS confirmation notice first. If you cannot find it, use your IRS Business Tax Account or call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 to request Letter 147C.
Where Can I Find My EIN?
You can find your EIN in these business and tax records:
| Where to check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| IRS confirmation notice | CP575, CP575A-J, or EIN assignment notice |
| IRS Business Tax Account | Downloadable EIN verification notice, generally called CP575 |
| IRS business tax transcript | Business entity transcript showing your EIN |
| Previous federal tax returns | EIN listed on business income, employment, excise, or nonprofit returns |
| Payroll records | Employer tax filings and payroll documents |
| Business bank records | Account-opening paperwork, bank statements, or tax documents |
| Business formation records | Documents from your accountant, attorney, or formation service |
| Tax-exempt organization records | Your organization's entry in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search |
Your EIN is different from your Social Security number, state tax ID, state business registration number, and sales tax permit number.
How Do I Find My EIN Online Through the IRS?
Eligible businesses can use an IRS Business Tax Account to access tax records and download an EIN verification notice.
- Sign in to or create your IRS Business Tax Account.
- Open Tax Records.
- Find the EIN verification notice, identified as a CP575 notice.
- Download and save the notice for your bank, payroll provider, tax preparer, or another organization requesting your EIN.
The IRS says the downloadable CP575 notice can be used instead of the original CP575A-J notice series and Letter 147C as EIN confirmation. Access depends on your business type and your role in the business.
How Do I Get My EIN If I Cannot Access My IRS Account?
Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. An IRS representative can verify your identity and business information, help locate your EIN, and provide Letter 147C, EIN Previously Assigned, as written confirmation.
The business line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.
Have this information ready:
- Legal name of the business
- Trade name or DBA, if applicable
- Business address
- Name and taxpayer identification number of the responsible party
- Business entity type, such as an LLC, corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship
- Approximate date when you applied for the EIN
The IRS may not disclose an EIN to someone who is not authorized to receive the business's tax information.
Can I Get My EIN From an IRS Business Transcript?
Yes. An IRS business entity transcript can show your EIN, business name, address, filing requirements, and certain entity details.
You may be able to request the transcript through:
- Your IRS Business Tax Account
- The IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line
- Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return
The IRS states that a modified business entity transcript shows the EIN, current business name, address, and name control. A complete entity transcript may also show the IRS establishment date and business filing requirements.
What If I Formed a Nonprofit Organization?
If your organization is federally tax-exempt, search for it in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool. The database includes information from Form 990 filings, determination letters, Publication 78 data, and automatic revocation records. Several of these records include the organization's EIN.
Search by the organization's legal name, city, state, or EIN. A nonprofit's DBA name may not appear in every IRS database, so use the official legal name when possible.
What If I Never Received an EIN?
You may not have an EIN if you never applied for one. A sole proprietor without employees may not need an EIN for federal tax purposes, although an EIN may still be useful or required for banking, state tax registration, hiring employees, or certain business activities.
The IRS generally requires an EIN for:
- Partnerships
- Corporations
- Multi-member LLCs
- Many tax-exempt organizations
- Estates and trusts
- Businesses with employees
- Businesses subject to employment, excise, or certain other federal taxes
Do not apply for another EIN just because you cannot find the original. The IRS advises that only one EIN should be assigned to an employer while its organization type remains unchanged. A second application can create duplicate records and tax-filing problems.
What Is the Fastest Way to Find My EIN?
Use the option that matches the records and access you have:
- Search your email, paper files, and cloud storage for CP575, EIN, Employer Identification Number, or 147C.
- Check your IRS Business Tax Account under Tax Records.
- Review previous federal tax returns and payroll filings.
- Ask your accountant, payroll company, bank, or business formation provider.
- Call the IRS at 800-829-4933 if you need help locating the EIN or want Letter 147C.
- If you operate a tax-exempt organization, search the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search database.
After you recover the number, store the IRS confirmation notice in a secure business records folder. Use the EIN exactly as it appears on IRS documents.