Business EIN: Who Needs One and How to Get It
Last updated November 5, 2026 · Written by the EIN Registration filing team
Get your business EIN
Pick your entity type and we take it from there: our specialists prepare and file the SS-4 and email you the EIN, typically within 2 to 4 business days (about 11 if it has to go by fax).
Does your business need one?
| Business | Needs an EIN? |
|---|---|
| Corporation or S corporation | Yes |
| Partnership or LLC with two or more members | Yes |
| Any business with employees | Yes |
| Single-member LLC with no employees | Not always for the IRS, but usually for the bank. Details |
| Sole proprietor with no employees | Not required. Details |
| Nonprofit | Yes. Details |
The IRS also requires one if you file excise, employment, or alcohol, tobacco and firearms returns, withhold tax on non-wage income paid to a nonresident, or have a Keogh plan. Do I need an EIN covers more cases.
What a business uses it for
- Opening a business bank account.
- Filing federal returns and running payroll.
- Giving clients a W-9 without showing your SSN.
- Registering for state tax accounts. See state tax ID vs federal EIN.
How to get one
You apply to the IRS on Form SS-4, online, by fax or by mail. Online answers in the same session when accepted, and fax takes about 11 business days. How to apply for an EIN has the steps.
Quick answers
Does a small business need an EIN?
It depends on structure, not size. A corporation, a partnership or a business with employees needs one. A sole proprietor with no employees can usually use an SSN.
Does each business I own need its own EIN?
Each LLC, corporation or partnership has its own. A sole proprietor has one EIN that covers all of that person's sole proprietorships.
Do I need a new EIN if my business changes?
Sometimes. Incorporating or taking on partners usually does. Changing the name or address usually does not.
Is a business EIN public?
It is not published by the IRS, but it can appear in public records, such as nonprofit and public company filings.
Get Your EIN the Easy Way
Answer a few questions in about 5 minutes. Our specialists prepare your IRS Form SS-4, file it, personally handle any rejection or name conflict along the way, and get your EIN to you, typically within 2 to 4 business days, or about 11 when the IRS requires the application by fax. One flat $197 service fee. No upsells, no subscriptions.
- ✓ Prepared and filed by specialists
- ✓ Error 101 and rejection handling included
- ✓ Data encrypted (AES-256)
- ✓ Order tracking and email updates
Related guides
- Do I Need an EIN? (Every Situation, Answered) Banks require one in almost every case and the IRS requires one in six. Single-member LLC, sole proprietor, DBA, no employees, contractor, rental property, and the bank account question, each answered plainly.
- Business Tax ID Number: Which One You Need and How to Get It Which business tax ID number a bank, client or state is asking for, and how to get it.
- How to Apply for an EIN What to check before you apply for an EIN, where to send it, and what happens after you submit.
- What Is an EIN Used For? (And Who Needs One) The 7 things an EIN unlocks, who the IRS actually requires to have one, and when an SSN is enough.
- Do I Need a New EIN? The Full Scenario Table A new EIN is needed when the taxpayer changes, not when its details do. Name changes, new partners, and S-corp elections keep it; incorporating, sole prop to partnership, and a trust turning irrevocable need a new one.
Sources
You can also apply for an EIN directly with the IRS at irs.gov at no cost.