EIN Lookup Free: How to Find or Apply for a New EIN
Searching for an EIN lookup free of charge is possible, but the method depends on whose number you need.
Your own EIN is easy to recover through IRS records or old paperwork. Someone else's EIN is trickier, since the IRS does not run a public directory for private businesses.
This guide covers every free way to find an EIN, plus how to apply for a brand new one without paying a third-party fee.
Key Takeaways
- You can get a new EIN for free directly from the IRS in minutes through the online application. Never pay a third-party site for this.
- To find your own EIN, check your CP 575 confirmation letter, a prior tax return, box b of a W-2, or your pay stub.
- There is no single public database for every business's EIN. Free lookup options vary by entity type.
- Nonprofits: use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Public companies: use the SEC EDGAR database.
- For most private businesses, the fastest free method is to ask the company directly or request a W-9.
- If you cannot locate your own EIN any other way, call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933.
What Is an EIN, and Why Would You Need to Look One Up?
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit federal tax ID the IRS assigns to businesses, nonprofits, and other entities. It works like a Social Security number, but for an organization instead of a person.
People search for a free EIN lookup for a few common reasons: filing a 1099 or W-9, verifying a vendor before payment, checking a nonprofit's legitimacy, or recovering their own number after losing the paperwork.
An EIN is sometimes called a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). The two terms mean the same thing. If you want a deeper breakdown of that terminology, see our guide on EIN vs. FEIN.
How to Look Up Your Own EIN for Free
If you have lost track of your business's own EIN, you do not need to pay anyone to recover it. The IRS and your own records already have it on file.
Check these free sources first:
- CP 575 confirmation letter: the notice the IRS mailed when your EIN was first issued
- Prior year business tax returns: your EIN appears on every federal filing
- Business bank account paperwork: banks usually record the EIN used to open the account
- Any W-2 you issued: your EIN is listed in Box B
- A recent pay stub: many employers print the federal ID number directly on the stub
If none of those are available, call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. An agent will verify your identity as the authorized party and give you the number over the phone.
Employees looking for the number on their own pay stub sometimes confuse it with a different internal code. If you are not sure which number you are looking at, our guide on the employee ID number on a check stub explains the difference, and our article on where to find the 9-digit FEIN number on a pay stub walks through exactly where it sits on the document.
How to Look Up Another Business's EIN for Free
The IRS does not maintain a general public search tool for standard, for-profit business EINs. What is available for free depends on the type of entity you are researching.
Nonprofits and Charities
Nonprofit EINs are public record because these organizations file Form 990 each year. You can search for any registered nonprofit's EIN using the official IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at apps.irs.gov, at no cost.
Free third-party tools that mirror this same public data, such as EIN finder databases built on Form 990 filings, work the same way and can be useful if the IRS tool does not return a match on the first try.
Publicly Traded Companies
Public companies disclose their federal tax ID in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC EDGAR database lets you search by company name and pull the EIN from official filings for free.
Private Companies
Most private businesses do not have a public EIN listing anywhere. Your best free options are:
- Ask the company directly, since most will share it without issue for legitimate purposes
- Request a completed Form W-9, which lists the EIN in the taxpayer identification section
- Check your state's Secretary of State business registry, since some states publish tax IDs alongside formation records
- Look at any invoice, contract, or 1099 the company has already sent you
A handful of paid EIN lookup services exist, but they generally pull from the same public sources listed above. There is rarely a reason to pay for information that is already free.
Free EIN Lookup Options by Entity Type
| Entity Type | Free Lookup Source | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Your own business | CP 575 letter, tax return, W-2 Box B, or IRS phone line | Free |
| Nonprofit or charity | IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search | Free |
| Publicly traded company | SEC EDGAR company search | Free |
| Private business | Direct request, W-9, state business registry | Free |
Is an EIN Public Information?
It depends on the entity. An EIN is treated as public record for nonprofits and publicly traded companies because both are required to disclose it in filings anyone can access.
For private businesses, an EIN is treated more like sensitive business data. The IRS does not publish a general directory, so the number is only shared when the business chooses to share it, such as on a W-9 or an invoice.
How to Apply for a Free EIN
If you need a new EIN rather than looking one up, the IRS issues them at no cost. Watch out for third-party websites that charge a fee to "process" your application. The application itself is always free when filed directly with the IRS.
Steps to apply online:
- Go to the IRS EIN Assistant at irs.gov/ein.
- Confirm you have a U.S. principal business location and a valid SSN or ITIN as the responsible party.
- Select your entity type (LLC, sole proprietorship, corporation, nonprofit, and so on).
- Enter your business name, address, and reason for applying.
- Submit the application in one sitting. The session times out after 15 minutes of inactivity.
- Download and print your confirmation letter once your EIN is issued.
Once you have a new EIN, you may need it right away to set up payroll or generate proof-of-income documents for a new hire. Our pay stub generator makes it easy to create accurate check stubs using your new business details as soon as your EIN is active.
Other Application Methods
| Method | Availability | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Online (U.S. applicants only) | Mon–Fri, 7 a.m.–10 p.m. ET | Immediate |
| Phone (international applicants only) | Mon–Fri, 6 a.m.–11 p.m. ET, at 267-941-1099 | Immediate |
| Fax (Form SS-4) | Anytime, to 855-641-6935 | About 4 business days |
| Mail (Form SS-4) | Anytime, to IRS EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999 | About 4 weeks |
Note that the IRS limits issuance to one EIN per responsible party per day, no matter which method you use.
Common EIN Lookup Mistakes to Avoid
A few habits lead to wasted time or wasted money when people search for an EIN.
- Paying for a new EIN. Applying directly with the IRS is always free. If a site charges a "filing fee," it is a markup on a free government service.
- Assuming every business EIN is searchable. Private company EINs are not in a public database, so a name-only search often comes back empty.
- Mixing up your EIN with your employee ID number. These are two different numbers used for different purposes on a pay stub.
- Skipping the IRS as a resource. If you are the authorized party for your own business, the IRS phone line is often faster than digging through old files.
If you are creating or reviewing a W-2 and need the EIN field filled in correctly, our W-2 form maker can help you generate an accurate, professional form once you have confirmed the correct number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I look up an EIN number online?
Yes, but only in limited cases. Nonprofit EINs appear in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, public company EINs appear in SEC EDGAR filings, and most private business EINs have no public online listing.
Is a company's EIN public information?
Not always. EINs for nonprofits and publicly traded companies are public record, but private business EINs are treated as sensitive and are not published in a general directory.
How do I find my EIN if I forgot it?
Check your original CP 575 confirmation letter, a past business tax return, or box b on a W-2 you issued. If none of those are available, call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933.
How do I verify an EIN?
The most reliable way is to call the IRS directly at 800-829-4933, or to cross-check the number against an official document like a CP 575 letter or W-2. For nonprofits, the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search also confirms an EIN is active.
Can I look up someone else's EIN?
There is no single public database that covers every business. You can often find it through SEC filings for public companies, the IRS nonprofit search for charities, or by requesting a W-9 from the business directly.
Kristen Larson is a payroll specialist with over 10 years of experience in the field. She received her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota. Kristen has dedicated her career to helping organizations effectively manage their payroll processes with Real Check Stubs.
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