How to Get an EIN for an LLC, by Situation
Last updated November 5, 2026 · Written by the EIN Registration filing team
What to do in your situation
| Your LLC | What to do |
|---|---|
| One owner, no employees | Apply as a single-member LLC, classified as a disregarded entity. Details |
| Two or more owners | Apply with the member count on Line 8b. It is a partnership by default. Details |
| Wants S corporation tax treatment | Get the EIN first, then file Form 2553. Details |
| You had an EIN as a sole proprietor | Apply for a new one in the LLC’s name so it matches the bank account |
| Owner has no SSN or ITIN | Apply by fax or the IRS international line. Details |
| The LLC already has an EIN and you lost it | Do not apply again. Ask the IRS for a 147C letter |
The steps
- Get the state approval. Note the exact legal name and formation date from the approval.
- Choose the responsible party. This is a person who controls the LLC.
- Apply. The IRS online tool is open Monday to Friday 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. (into the next day), Saturday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 6 p.m. to midnight, Eastern time. If it returns reference number 101, the application goes by fax with your state approval attached.
- Save the CP 575. The bank and your state revenue agency will ask for it.
For the LLC questions on the form and the common rejections, read the full LLC EIN guide.
Quick answers
How long does it take to get an EIN for an LLC?
Online, the IRS answers in the same session. By fax it takes about 11 business days. Through us it is typically 2 to 4 business days, or about 11 if it has to go by fax.
Do I need the state approval first?
Yes, in practice. The IRS will accept a name the state has not approved, but the number is then tied to a name that may change.
Can my formation company's agent be the responsible party?
No. The responsible party must be a person who controls the LLC, such as a managing member, with their own SSN or ITIN.
Can I use my own EIN from before the LLC?
Usually not in practice. That number is in your name, and a bank opening an account for the LLC will expect the LLC's name.
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)
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Related guides
- How to Apply for an EIN for an LLC (LLC Tax ID Number) Nearly every LLC needs its own EIN for the bank, and multi-member LLCs and S corporation elections make it mandatory. The LLC lines on the SS-4, the timing after state approval, and the mistakes that get applications rejected.
- LLC EIN Number: How to Find It or Get One What an LLC's EIN number looks like, where to find it, and how to get one if the LLC has none.
- EIN for a Single Member LLC: How to Get One, and the W-9 Question A single member LLC with no employees can file on the owner's SSN, but the bank, every W-9 and any S corporation election need the LLC's own EIN. When the IRS requires it, what the SS-4 asks a single owner, and which number goes on the W-9.
- EIN for a Partnership or Multi-Member LLC Mandatory, because a partnership files Form 1065 and issues K-1s. When to apply, which partner is the responsible party, and how the SS-4 differs from a single-owner application.
- Does an LLC Need an EIN? When It Is Required and When It Is Not Required for multi-member LLCs, LLCs with employees, and S or C elections. A single-member LLC with no employees can use the owner's SSN for federal tax, but the bank, payment processors and W-9s make the EIN the practical answer. EIN vs SSN, form by form.
Sources
You can also apply for an EIN directly with the IRS at irs.gov at no cost.