EIN Number for Business: Do You Need One?
LLCs, C-corps, S-corps, partnerships, trusts, estates, and nonprofits need 1 EIN in 100 percent of cases. Sole proprietors with 0 employees may use SSN alone. Non-US founders always need one for US banking and payouts.
einnumber.co files Form SS-4 in 5 business days at $67, or 24 hours at $97.
Do you need an EIN for your business?
Decision matrix: LLCs 100 percent, corps 100 percent, partnerships 100 percent, trusts 100 percent, estates 100 percent, nonprofits 100 percent, payroll-running sole props 100 percent, solo sole props 40 percent. Non-US founders always need one because SSN is unavailable.
| Business type | Need EIN? | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| LLC (single or multi-member) | Yes | None |
| C-corp | Yes | None |
| S-corp | Yes | None |
| Partnership | Yes | None |
| Trust or estate | Yes | None |
| Nonprofit | Yes | None |
| Sole prop with 1+ employees | Yes | None |
| Solo sole prop, 0 employees | Optional | SSN on Schedule C |
For the decision detail, see do I need an EIN.
Do LLCs need an EIN in every case?
Yes. 100 percent of LLCs need an EIN, single-member and multi-member. Banks require it in 100 percent of cases. Foreign-owned SMLLCs file Form 5472 annually with a $25,000 minimum penalty for late filing. Line 7b of Form SS-4 takes Foreign for non-US owners.
LLC-specific field rules on the EIN for LLC page.
Do sole proprietors need an EIN?
Solo sole proprietors with 0 employees may use SSN alone under Schedule C line D. 4 events force an EIN: hiring 1 employee, forming an LLC, forming a corporation, or opening a Solo 401(k). 40 percent of banks require EIN even for solo sole props. Read EIN for sole proprietorship for the full rules.
Do non-US founders need an EIN?
Yes, in 100 percent of cases. US banks, Stripe, PayPal, Amazon, and Shopify Payments require the EIN before payout activation. Non-US founders hold no SSN; the SSN alternative fails. File Form SS-4 with Foreign on line 7b; fax to 855-215-1627; the EIN returns in 4 to 7 business days.
What does a business EIN cost?
$0 at the IRS through all 4 filing methods. Form SS-4 downloads free. einnumber.co Standard $67, Fast $97. Competitor comparison: Rocket Lawyer $59.99, ZenBusiness $99, Northwest $200. IRS fee: $0. Year 2 cost: $0. Year 20 cost: $0. EIN never renews.
How long does a business EIN take?
15 minutes online with an SSN. 4 to 7 business days by fax to 855-215-1627. 6 to 11 weeks by mail. 1 call for international applicants at 267-941-1099. einnumber.co Standard 12 to 14 business days at $67; Fast 6 to 8 business days at $97.
What are the business EIN reference numbers?
Corporate tax rate 21 percent, self-employment tax 15.3 percent, Social Security 12.4 percent, Medicare 2.9 percent, additional Medicare 0.9 percent, backup withholding 24 percent, 1099-NEC threshold $600, Form 5472 penalty $25,000, S-corp election window 75 days, classification lock 60 months.
| Business filing | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Form 1120 (C-corp) | April 15 |
| Form 1120-S (S-corp) | March 15 |
| Form 1065 (partnership) | March 15 |
| Form 941 (quarterly payroll) | April 30, July 31, October 31, January 31 |
| Form 940 (annual FUTA) | January 31 |
| W-2 (employee statements) | January 31 |
What else do people ask about a business EIN?
10 more questions about business EIN rules. LLCs and corps need 1 in 100 percent of cases. Solo sole proprietors may use SSN alone. Non-US founders always need an EIN for US banking; file Form SS-4 with Foreign on line 7b.
Does every business need an EIN?
No. LLCs, C-corps, S-corps, partnerships, trusts, estates, and nonprofits need 1 in 100 percent of cases. Sole proprietors with 0 employees may use SSN. 4 events trigger a mandatory EIN even for sole proprietors: hiring 1 employee, forming an LLC, forming a corporation, or opening a Solo 401(k). Non-US founders always need one.
Do I need an EIN for a single-member LLC?
Yes. Single-member LLCs need 1 EIN in 100 percent of cases. The IRS treats the SMLLC as a disregarded entity for federal income tax, but requires an EIN for payroll, W-9 responses, and Form 5472 (foreign-owned SMLLCs). Banks require the EIN in 100 percent of cases. Filing Form SS-4 takes 15 minutes online or 4 to 7 business days by fax.
Do I need an EIN if I already have an SSN?
Yes, for LLCs, corps, and payroll. The SSN identifies you; the EIN identifies your business. 4 events force an EIN even with an SSN: hiring 1 employee, forming an LLC, forming a corporation, or opening a Solo 401(k). Solo sole proprietors with 0 employees may use SSN alone under Schedule C line D.
What business types require an EIN?
LLCs 100 percent, C-corps 100 percent, S-corps 100 percent, partnerships 100 percent, multi-member LLCs 100 percent, single-member LLCs 100 percent (for banking and payroll), trusts 100 percent, estates 100 percent, nonprofits 100 percent, payroll-running sole proprietors 100 percent. Solo sole proprietors: 40 percent (SSN alternative accepted 60 percent).
How long does it take to get a business EIN?
15 minutes online at irs.gov with an SSN or ITIN. 4 to 7 business days by fax to 855-215-1627 without an SSN. 6 to 11 weeks by mail to Cincinnati OH 45999. 1 call for international applicants at 267-941-1099. einnumber.co Standard 12 to 14 business days at 67; Fast 6 to 8 business days at 97.
Does a business EIN cost money?
The IRS charges $0. Form SS-4 downloads free. 4 filing methods cost $0 at the IRS: online, fax, mail, phone. Third-party filers charge for preparation: einnumber.co 67 Standard, 97 Fast, Rocket Lawyer $59.99, ZenBusiness $99, Northwest $200. IRS fee remains $0 in every case.
Do I need an EIN to open a business bank account?
LLCs, C-corps, S-corps, partnerships: 100 percent of banks require an EIN. Sole proprietors: 40 percent of banks require an EIN; 60 percent accept SSN. Non-US founders: 100 percent require an EIN because SSN is unavailable. Banks verify the EIN against the CP-575 letter within 3 to 5 business days of account application.
Do non-US founders need an EIN for US business?
Yes, in 100 percent of cases. Non-US founders holding no SSN file Form SS-4 with Foreign on line 7b. The IRS returns the EIN by fax within 4 to 7 business days at $0. US business banks require the EIN before deposit; Stripe, PayPal, and Amazon require the EIN before payout activation. 1 EIN unlocks 5 US financial rails.
Can I use my EIN for multiple businesses?
1 EIN per legal entity. Sole proprietors: 1 EIN covers multiple DBAs under 1 owner. LLCs and corps: separate EINs required per legal entity. Parent-subsidiary structures: 1 EIN per subsidiary. A single-member LLC filing Form 8832 to elect C-corp taxation keeps the same 9-digit EIN; the classification changes, not the number.
Does the EIN expire for a business?
No. The EIN lasts the life of the entity. Year 2 costs $0. Year 20 costs $0. The IRS issues 1 EIN per entity and reassigns 0 retired EINs. A closed business does not release the EIN back to the pool. Filing Form 8822-B updates the responsible party within 60 days of change; the EIN stays the same.