EIN vs FEIN

EIN and FEIN are the same nine-digit number. Both refer to the tax ID the IRS assigns to a business: EIN stands for Employer Identification Number, and FEIN stands for Federal Employer Identification Number. The extra "F" only emphasizes that the number is federal, so there is no practical difference between the two.

If a bank form asks for your FEIN but your IRS paperwork says EIN, you are looking at one and the same number. Below is exactly when each term shows up, what it is not, and where to find yours.

Key Takeaways

• An EIN (Employer Identification Number) and a FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number) are the same nine-digit IRS number, formatted XX-XXXXXXX.
• The "F" in FEIN simply stands for "Federal." Banks, payroll providers, and government agencies use the two terms interchangeably.
• You do not need employees to get one. Sole proprietors, LLCs, corporations, and non-profits can all apply.
• An EIN is one type of TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number). A TIN is the umbrella category that also covers your SSN and ITIN.
• A federal EIN/FEIN comes from the IRS. A state tax ID is a separate number issued by your state revenue agency.
• Applying for an EIN through the IRS is free. You can find your existing number on your W-2, business tax returns, or your IRS confirmation letter.

EIN vs FEIN: Are They the Same Thing?

Yes. EIN and FEIN are two names for the identical nine-digit number the IRS uses to identify a business for federal tax purposes. There is no separate "FEIN number" you apply for and no second form to file.

The confusion usually starts when one document calls it an EIN and another calls it a FEIN. A loan application might ask for your FEIN, while your IRS confirmation letter labels it an EIN. Both fields want the same digits.

So whenever you see "EIN," "FEIN," "federal tax ID number," or "federal employer identification number," treat them as the same thing unless a form specifically asks for a state ID.

Why Are There Two Different Terms?

The official IRS name is Employer Identification Number, or EIN. People and institutions added "Federal" to make it clear they mean the IRS-issued number and not a state-level ID.

That is the entire story behind FEIN. It is the same EIN with the word "Federal" attached for clarity. The term shows up most often on banking forms, insurance paperwork, and state filings where distinguishing federal from state numbers matters.

What Is an EIN (Employer Identification Number)?

An EIN is a unique nine-digit number the IRS assigns to a business entity for tax reporting and identification. It works like a Social Security number, but for a business instead of a person.

Despite the word "Employer," you do not need to have employees to get one. The IRS issues EINs to sole proprietors, single-member LLCs, partnerships, corporations, estates, trusts, and non-profits.

You use your EIN to file business tax returns, open a business bank account, apply for business credit, run payroll, and submit forms like the W-2 and 1099. It is the core identifier for almost everything your business does with the IRS.

What Is a FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number)?

A FEIN is the same number described above, written out with "Federal" in front. The label is common on state agency forms and financial documents that need to separate the federal number from a state tax ID.

So a FEIN number is not a different or additional ID. If you already have an EIN, you already have your FEIN. There is nothing extra to request.

EIN vs FEIN: Quick Comparison

EIN vs FEIN vs TIN vs SSN: Clearing Up the Confusion

The bigger source of confusion is not EIN versus FEIN. It is how the EIN fits next to a TIN, an SSN, and an ITIN. These are genuinely different numbers, even though they all have nine digits.

A TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) is the broad category. Your EIN, SSN, and ITIN are all specific types of TIN. So an EIN is always a TIN, but a TIN is not always an EIN.

One more number worth separating out: your employee ID. That is an internal code your employer uses on payroll, and it has nothing to do with the IRS. If you have run into that on your paycheck, this guide on the employee ID number and where to find it on your pay stub explains the difference.

Federal EIN vs State Tax ID: The One Real Distinction

There is exactly one place where "EIN" and "FEIN" can point to different things, and it involves state taxes. Your federal EIN/FEIN comes from the IRS and works nationwide.

A state tax ID (sometimes called a state EIN) is a separate number issued by your state revenue or labor agency. You may need it to report state employee withholding, pay state unemployment tax, or collect sales tax.

Depending on where you operate, your business may need both numbers. When a form specifies "federal," give your IRS number. When it specifies "state," give the one from your state agency.

Do You Need an EIN or FEIN?

If you employ people, run a corporation or partnership, or file certain excise or employment tax returns, the IRS requires an EIN. Most banks also ask for one before they open a business bank account.

Sole proprietors with no employees can often use their SSN instead, but getting an EIN is still smart. It keeps your Social Security number off business paperwork and reduces exposure to identity theft.

You generally need an EIN if any of the following apply:

• You have employees or plan to run payroll
• Your business is a corporation, partnership, or multi-member LLC
• You file employment, excise, or certain other federal returns
• You open a business bank account or apply for business credit
• You administer an estate, trust, or non-profit

Where to Find Your EIN or FEIN

If you already have an EIN, you usually do not need to call the IRS to find it. The number is printed on several documents you may already have on hand.

Common places your EIN/FEIN appears:

• The IRS confirmation letter (CP 575) you received when the number was issued
• Box B of any W-2 your business issued, and on 1099 forms you filed
• Your previously filed business tax returns
• Business bank account, loan, or license applications
• Older IRS notices addressed to your business

Employees often need their employer's number too, for example when filing taxes early or completing income verification. It frequently shows up on your pay documentation, and this walkthrough on how to find the 9-digit FEIN number on a pay stub shows where to look.

If you need clean records of your wages and withholding while you track down a number, a pay stub generator can help you produce accurate documentation for personal recordkeeping.

How to Apply for an EIN/FEIN

Applying for an EIN is free and fastest directly through the IRS. Avoid third-party sites that charge a fee for what the government provides at no cost.

1. Go to the EIN application page on IRS.gov.
2. Confirm your eligibility and entity type (LLC, sole proprietor, corporation, and so on).
3. Complete the online application in one session. It cannot be saved partway.
4. Receive your EIN immediately at the end. Download and save the confirmation letter.

Once issued, the same number serves as both your EIN and your FEIN for the life of the business. If you later issue W-2s and want to draft them correctly, a W-2 form maker lets small business owners create accurate forms with the EIN in Box B.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a FEIN the same as an EIN?

Yes. A FEIN and an EIN are the same nine-digit number issued by the IRS to identify a business. The "F" only stands for "Federal," so the two terms are interchangeable.

Do I need a FEIN if I already have an EIN?

No. If you have an EIN, you already have your FEIN, because they are the same number. You do not apply for or receive a separate FEIN.

Is my FEIN number my tax ID?

Yes, for your business it is. Your FEIN is your federal taxpayer identification number for business filings. It is one specific type of TIN, alongside SSNs and ITINs used for individuals.

Do all LLCs have a FEIN?

Not automatically. Multi-member LLCs and LLCs with employees are required to have one, while a single-member LLC with no employees can sometimes use the owner's SSN. Most LLCs still get an EIN to open a bank account and keep finances separate.

Do I need an EIN or a FEIN for my business?

You need the same single number either way, since they are identical. Apply once for a free EIN through the IRS, and use that number whenever a form asks for an EIN or a FEIN.