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Free EIN Lookup: Simple Guide to Finding Your EIN

27 January 2025 at 21:44

Opening a business involves several legal procedures, including getting an employer identification number. This business tax ID is assigned to companies by the IRS, and you’ll need to keep the document for future use. However, it might happen that you’ve lost your tax ID right when you actually need it (we’re only human, after all). Don’t panic! Checking your EIN is a relatively straightforward procedure. One thing to note is that you can’t do so online, but other than that there are hardly any issues to solve.

Can’t find your EIN? Or do you need to check the EIN number of another business? Read this guide to learn how to get a free EIN lookup.

What is an EIN?

If you’re looking for an employer identification number lookup, you’re probably already familiar with EIN. But, just to be sure: EIN is a federal tax ID number that consists of 9 digits. A unique number is assigned to each company upon its creation and is usually retained for its entire lifespan.

First and foremost, a business needs this number to pay their state and federal taxes. There are also some other less common situations when you might need your EIN, including the following:

Obtaining a business license;
Getting business credit cards;
Applying for business loans;
Opening a bank account for your business.

EIN Lookup: Free Ways to Find It

How to find your EIN number if you have misplaced it? If this ever happens to you, there are three ways you can get access to it.

Check the EIN Confirmation Letter

First, try to find a confirmation letter sent to you by the IRS. If you completed a form on the IRS website, you should find a letter with your EIN in your email. Once you have it, make sure you download it and store it along with other essential business documents.

Depending on your application process, you might have also received your EIN via fax or mail. If so, try to find the letter in your paperwork before opting for other methods.

Check Other Places EIN May Be Recorded

If your company has been active on the market for a considerable amount of time, chances are you’ll find the EIN somewhere in your records. There are numerous procedures that require the use of an EIN, so find one of the following:

Business license;
Federal tax returns;
Application for a business loan;
Bank account statement.

Contact the IRS

If you cannot find your tax ID anywhere, you can always request an EIN number lookup directly from the IRS. Use the Business and Specialty Tax Line—800-829-4933. The regular hours of operation are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Keep in mind that you will need to prove your identity as a business owner, a partner, or a corporate officer, so be ready to answer some questions.

How to Look Up the EIN Number of Another Company

Misplacing your EIN is one thing, but looking for another company’s number is a different story. When you have to deal with another business entity, you may need to look up its EIN for security, verification, or other purposes.

Here are some ways you can find the information:

Ask the company directly

You can try contacting the company’s accounting department to get their EIN. However, keep in mind that this method may not be reliable, as not all companies are willing to share this information with third parties.

Visit federal and state websites.

Various governmental websites may contain information about certain companies. The first place to go for an EIN lookup is the Secretary of State’s website. If you are researching a publicly traded company, you may also look through the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website.

Find the company’s credit report.

Another option is to look up a company’s credit report, as this information is normally publicly available. In many cases, you will find the business’ EIN on the report, as it contains a lot of information about the company’s operation and obligations.

Get information from a third party.

If you don’t have any time to spare, the final variant for federal tax ID lookup is paying a third party to get this information for you. Some services offer to find EINs of other companies for a price, so it’s a good option if you are willing to pay.

How to Cancel an EIN

Normally, a company receives one EIN and uses it for the entire duration of its existence. However, there are some specific situations, such as ownership and structure changes, when you may need to cancel your current EIN and get a new one. This may be necessary in the following cases:

You purchase or inherit a business;
The status of your business has changed;
You change your business entity;
You incorporate as a sole proprietor;
You are subject to a bankruptcy proceeding as a sole proprietor;
There have been changes to the ownership;
Your business is now a subsidiary of another company.

Before you can receive a new EIN, you need to cancel an existing one. To do this, you have to notify the IRS by sending them a letter with the following information: