FEIN vs EIN: Is There a Difference?
Last updated November 5, 2026 · Written by the EIN Registration filing team
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| What the form says | Where you see it |
|---|---|
| EIN | The IRS, Form SS-4, banks |
| FEIN | State tax and payroll forms, such as Florida Department of Revenue and California EDD registrations |
| FEI or FEI/EIN | Florida’s Sunbiz records and annual report |
| Federal tax ID | Vendors, W-9 requests, general use |
Why states write FEIN
The extra F separates the federal number from the state numbers on the same form. A state payroll or sales tax application usually asks for both your federal number and, later, the state’s own account number. The F tells you which box is which. The state number is a different thing, and this guide explains how the two relate.
Two near misses to watch for
- FEI at the FDA. In FDA paperwork, FEI means FDA Establishment Identifier, a 10-digit number the FDA assigns to firms. It has nothing to do with your tax number. If you make or import food, drugs or devices, read which agency is asking.
- TIN. Taxpayer identification number is the family name that covers EINs, Social Security numbers and ITINs. An EIN is a TIN, but not every TIN is an EIN. See EIN vs TIN vs SSN.
Quick answers
Do I need to apply for a FEIN separately from an EIN?
No. There is only one application, Form SS-4, and one number. Applying twice would give the company a second number and create a problem to clean up.
Is a FEIN only for businesses with employees?
No. Despite the word employer, the IRS issues them to businesses, tax-exempt organizations and other entities, including those with no staff, such as an estate or a single-owner LLC opening a bank account.
Is my state tax ID my FEIN?
Usually not. Most states issue their own number. A few build it from the federal one, so check your state.
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Related guides
- What Is a TIN Number? EIN vs TIN vs SSN vs ITIN A TIN is the family; EIN, SSN and ITIN are members of it. Which one a form is really asking for, and when a business uses the owner's SSN instead of its own EIN.
- Federal Tax ID Number for a Business: What It Is and How to Get One A federal tax ID number for a business is the EIN. Which businesses need their own, when the owner's SSN is enough, what the number looks like, and the state numbers that are not the same thing.
- State Tax ID vs Federal EIN: What Is the Difference? The EIN comes from the IRS and is one number per business. State tax IDs come from your state's revenue agency, there can be several, and you usually need the EIN first. Which is which on a W-2, a bank form and a sales tax permit.
- How to Get an EIN Number: 4 Ways, Step by Step Online, fax, mail, and the international phone line. Real timelines, what you need, and what can go wrong.
Sources
You can also apply for an EIN directly with the IRS at irs.gov at no cost.