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2025 Federal Tax ID / EIN

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Apply for an EIN Online with Private Document Assistance – Not Affiliated with the IRS.

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Disclaimer FastTaxEfile is a private document filing service. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the IRS or any government agency. You can apply for an EIN directly at IRS.gov at no cost. We charge a fee to assist you with the application process.

  • What is an EIN / Tax ID Number?

    An EIN, or Employer Identification Number, is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify a business for tax purposes. Think of it like a Social Security Number for your business. You need one if you’re starting a business, hiring employees, opening a business bank account, or filing certain federal tax returns, like those for partnerships, corporations, or LLCs.

  • What is the process?

    Choose the type of entity you have and complete our questionnaire.

    Our representatives will verify for any mistakes or missing information and submit your application to the IRS.

    Once processing is complete, you will receive an email notification instructing you to download your document.

Why choose us?

We specialize in efficient filing and document obtainment. Our expert staff handles every order with the utmost attention to detail and superior customer service.

Save Time No confusing IRS forms.
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Entity Type Information

Specific information pertaining to each entity type.

Sole Proprietorship

DescriptionA sole proprietorship is a business owned and operated by one person. It’s the simplest business structure, with no legal separation between the owner and the business. You’re personally responsible for all debts and taxes, and you report business income on your personal tax return (Form 1040, Schedule C). Many freelancers, consultants, or small business owners start as sole proprietors.

Why get an EIN?While not required if you have no employees, an EIN helps separate your personal and business finances, allows you to open a business bank account, and avoids sharing your Social Security Number with clients.

Get started on a Sole Proprietorship

Partnership

DescriptionA partnership is a business owned by two or more people who share profits, losses, and responsibilities. There are different types, like general partnerships (equal responsibility for all partners) or limited partnerships (some partners have limited liability). Partnerships don’t pay taxes directly; instead, income “passes through” to the partners’ personal tax returns (filed via Form 1065).

Why get an EIN?Partnerships need an EIN to file tax returns, open bank accounts, and handle payroll if they have employees.

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Limited Liability Company (LLC)

DescriptionAn LLC combines the flexibility of a partnership with the liability protection of a corporation. Owners (called members) aren’t personally liable for business debts, and the LLC can choose how it’s taxed—as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. It’s popular for small businesses due to its simplicity and protection.

Why get an EIN?Most LLCs need an EIN for tax filings, banking, and hiring employees, though single-member LLCs without employees might use the owner’s SSN in some cases.

Get started on a Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Corporation

DescriptionA corporation is a separate legal entity owned by shareholders, offering strong liability protection. There are C corporations (taxed separately from owners) and S corporations (pass-through taxation like partnerships, with restrictions on ownership). Corporations are more complex, requiring formalities like board meetings and bylaws.

Why get an EIN?Corporations need an EIN for federal tax filings (e.g., Form 1120 for C corps, Form 1120S for S corps), banking, and payroll.

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Nonprofit Organization

DescriptionNonprofits are organizations formed for charitable, educational, religious, or other tax-exempt purposes, not for profit. They can apply for 501(c)(3) status (or other 501(c) designations) to gain tax-exempt status. Nonprofits still have tax obligations, like payroll taxes if they have employees.

Why get an EIN?An EIN is required to apply for tax-exempt status, file tax returns (Form 990), open bank accounts, and manage payroll.

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Estate

DescriptionAn estate is a legal entity created to manage the assets of a deceased person during probate or administration. It holds assets like money, property, or investments until they’re distributed to heirs or beneficiaries. Estates may generate income (e.g., from investments) that needs to be reported.

Why get an EIN?An EIN is needed to file estate tax returns (Form 1041), manage estate bank accounts, and handle financial transactions during administration.

Get started on a Estate

Trust

DescriptionA trust is a legal arrangement where a trustee manages assets for beneficiaries, often for estate planning or charitable purposes. Trusts can be revocable (changeable by the creator) or irrevocable (fixed). Some trusts, like grantor trusts, report income on the creator’s personal taxes, while others are taxed separately.

Why get an EIN?Most trusts need an EIN to file tax returns (Form 1041), open accounts, and manage assets, especially irrevocable trusts or those with income-generating activities.

Get started on a Trust

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? We try to answer the most frequently asked questions below.

An EIN, or Employer Identification Number, is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify a business for tax purposes. Think of it like a Social Security Number for your business. You need one if you’re starting a business, hiring employees, opening a business bank account, or filing certain federal tax returns, like those for partnerships, corporations, or LLCs.
Pretty much anyone starting a business in the U.S. can apply—sole proprietors, LLCs, partnerships, corporations, nonprofits, estates, or trusts. Even if you’re a freelancer without employees, you might want an EIN to separate your personal and business finances or to avoid sharing your Social Security Number with clients.
Nope, it’s completely free to apply for an EIN directly through the IRS. You can do it online, by mail, fax, or phone (for international applicants). Be wary of third-party websites that charge fees—they’re often just middlemen doing what you can do yourself for free.
It’s super straightforward. Go to the IRS website (irs.gov) and use the online EIN application. You’ll need to provide basic info about your business, like its legal name, address, and structure (e.g., LLC, corporation). The process takes about 10-15 minutes, and you’ll get your EIN instantly if everything checks out.
Yes, you can! If you’re a non-U.S. resident or don’t have an SSN, you can still apply using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or simply apply as a foreign entity. You might need to apply by mail or fax using Form SS-4, though, since the online system often requires an SSN or ITIN.
If you apply online, you’ll get your EIN immediately after completing the application, as long as it’s during the IRS’s online hours (7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday). By fax, it takes about 4-5 business days. Mail can take 4-6 weeks, so online is definitely the fastest route.
You’ll need your business’s legal name, address, and structure (e.g., sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation). You also need the name and SSN/ITIN of the "responsible party" (usually the business owner or principal officer). If it’s a partnership or corporation, you might need details about the partners or officers too.
You don’t have to get one, but it’s a good idea. Without an EIN, you’d use your Social Security Number for business tax purposes, which can feel risky when sharing with clients or vendors. Plus, an EIN makes opening a business bank account easier and keeps things professional.
No. Each business entity needs its own EIN. Think of it as a unique identifier for each business. If you have multiple businesses, even if they’re all under your control, you’ll need a separate EIN for each one to keep things clean with the IRS.
Don’t stress! If you’ve lost your EIN, check old tax returns, business bank account records, or any IRS correspondence, as it’s usually listed there. You can also call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933, and they’ll help you retrieve it after verifying your identity.
You can’t really "cancel" an EIN, as it’s permanently tied to your business entity. If you don’t need it anymore (say, you close your business), the IRS just lets it sit inactive. If your business structure changes—like an LLC becoming a corporation—you might need a new EIN, so check with the IRS.
Usually, no. If you’re just changing the business name but keeping the same structure and ownership, you can notify the IRS with a letter or by updating your info on your next tax return. However, if the legal structure changes (e.g., sole prop to LLC), you might need a new EIN.
Yes, but you’ll need to have the business legally formed before the IRS issues the EIN. For example, if you’re forming an LLC, you’ll need to file your Articles of Organization with your state first. The IRS will ask for details like the official start date and legal structure during the application.
They’re often used interchangeably, but technically, an EIN is a type of Tax ID Number. The term “Tax ID” can also refer to other numbers, like your SSN or ITIN for individuals. For businesses, though, the EIN is the go-to Tax ID for federal tax purposes.
Form SS-4 is the official IRS form for applying for an EIN. You’ll need it if you’re applying by mail or fax. If you apply online, you don’t fill out the form directly—the online system collects the same info. Download the form from irs.gov if you’re going the mail or fax route.

FastTaxEfile is an authorized e-File provider, duly registered to assist clients in obtaining Federal Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Our services focus on facilitating the timely acquisition of EINs for our clients. FastTaxEfile operates solely as a third-party service provider and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or otherwise connected to any governmental agency, including the IRS.

FastTaxEfile offers a fee-based service whereby our professional staff prepares and submits Federal EIN applications to the IRS on behalf of our clients. Alternatively, individuals and entities may apply for an EIN directly through the IRS website (www.irs.gov) at no cost. By engaging our services and agreeing to our terms and conditions, you designate FastTaxEfile as your authorized third-party representative for the purpose of submitting your EIN application. FastTaxEfile does not verify the accuracy or completeness of the information provided in your application and expressly disclaims responsibility for any errors or omissions therein. We do not provide legal, financial, or other professional advice beyond the scope of our EIN application services. For legal or financial guidance related to your business, we recommend consulting a licensed attorney or qualified professional.

Why choose FastTaxEfile?

As an IRS-authorized e-File provider, FastTaxEfile specializes in processing EIN applications for business clients, offering a streamlined, business-to-business (B2B) service designed to simplify the application process. Our user-friendly application system minimizes errors and expedites the issuance of your EIN. In the event of any issues, our dedicated support team is available to provide assistance. For further information or to contact us directly, please visit our contact page.

FastTaxEfile is committed to delivering efficient and reliable service while maintaining compliance with all applicable IRS regulations and procedures.