How to Get an EIN for an LLC (Free, Step by Step)

Frédéric Deltour

By , Entrepreneur and Business Consultant, 22+ years forming and operating companies.

Published: September 3, 2026 · Last updated: September 3, 2026

Frédéric has used Northwest Registered Agent 3 times to form his own and his clients' companies and NGOs. These are real, honest opinions.

Quick Answer

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a free federal tax ID for your LLC, issued by the IRS. You can apply online in a few minutes and receive the number immediately, and it never costs anything if you apply directly through IRS.gov. To qualify for the online tool, your LLC's principal business must be in the U.S. and the responsible party must have a valid SSN or ITIN. Form your LLC first, then apply for the EIN in the LLC's name. Northwest can form your LLC for $39, and can obtain the EIN for you as an add-on if you prefer not to do it yourself.

Introduction

After you form an LLC, one of the very first things you will need is an EIN. It is the number banks ask for when you open a business account, the number you put on tax forms, and the number you give when you hire employees or work with certain vendors. The good news is that getting one is genuinely free and, for most single-member and multi-member LLCs, takes only a few minutes.

The bad news is that a whole industry of third-party websites charges people to "get" an EIN, something the IRS provides at no cost. This guide walks through what an EIN is, whether your LLC needs one, and exactly how to get it directly from the source without paying a markup.

What Is an EIN?

An EIN, also called a Federal Tax Identification Number, is a nine-digit number the IRS assigns to identify a business entity. Think of it as a Social Security number for your company. It stays with your business and is used on federal tax filings, employment tax reporting, and many financial and licensing applications.

The IRS describes the EIN and who needs one on its Employer Identification Number page. It is worth reading before you apply so you understand how the number will be used.

Does My LLC Need an EIN?

Most LLCs need an EIN, and nearly all benefit from having one. According to the IRS, you must get an EIN if your business has employees, operates as a corporation or partnership (which includes multi-member LLCs taxed as partnerships), or meets several other conditions listed on the IRS site.

A single-member LLC with no employees that is treated as a "disregarded entity" can sometimes use the owner's Social Security number for federal income tax. However, the IRS still recommends an EIN for these LLCs, and in practice you will almost always need one anyway, because banks generally require an EIN to open a business checking account, and using an EIN instead of your SSN keeps your personal number off business paperwork. For how single-member LLCs are taxed, the IRS Single Member Limited Liability Companies page is the authoritative reference.

My rule of thumb after forming dozens of entities: get the EIN regardless. It is free, it protects your SSN, and every LLC I have set up has needed one within days for banking.

Form Your LLC First

Apply for the EIN after your LLC officially exists, not before. The EIN application asks for your legal business name and formation details, so the entity needs to be on file with your state first. If you get an EIN as a sole proprietor and later form an LLC, the IRS generally expects you to obtain a new EIN for the new entity, which is avoidable rework.

Form the LLC, wait for the state to confirm it is filed, then apply for the EIN in the LLC's exact legal name.

Form Your LLC with Northwest for $39 →

How to Apply for an EIN (Step by Step)

The fastest and cheapest method is the free online application on IRS.gov. Here is the process:

1. Go directly to the IRS. Use the official Get an Employer Identification Number page. Do not use a paid third-party site. The IRS explicitly warns that applying for an EIN is free and cautions against sites that charge for it.

2. Confirm you qualify for the online tool. Your LLC's principal business must be located in the United States or its territories, and the responsible party must have a valid Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

3. Identify the responsible party. This is the individual who ultimately owns or controls the LLC. The IRS requires the responsible party to be a person, not another entity.

4. Complete the application in one sitting. The online session expires after 15 minutes of inactivity and progress cannot be saved, so have your details ready before you start.

5. Receive your EIN immediately. When you finish, the IRS issues the EIN on the spot. Download and save the confirmation notice (CP 575); banks and lenders often ask for it.

The online tool is available on weekdays during the hours posted on the IRS site (Eastern time). Because those hours can change, confirm them on the IRS page before you sit down to apply.

Start Your LLC First for $39 →

What If You Do Not Have an SSN or ITIN?

The online tool requires the responsible party to have an SSN or ITIN. If you do not have either, or your LLC's principal place of business is outside the U.S., you cannot use the instant online application. Instead, you apply using Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, which the IRS accepts by fax or mail. International applicants may also apply by phone using the number the IRS provides for that purpose. This route takes longer than the online tool but is still free.

Good to Know: One EIN Per Responsible Party Per Day

The IRS limits each responsible party to one EIN per day, and this applies no matter how you apply: online, by phone, by fax, or by mail. For most owners forming a single LLC this never comes up, but if you are setting up several entities at once, plan to space out the applications across days.

Do Not Pay for an EIN

This is the point I most want new owners to hear: obtaining an EIN is always free when you go directly through the IRS. Websites that charge a "filing fee" for an EIN are simply charging you to fill in a free government form. The only legitimate reason to have someone else obtain your EIN is convenience, for example bundling it with your LLC formation so it is one less task on your plate. If you would rather not deal with the IRS portal yourself, a reputable formation service can obtain the EIN for you as an optional add-on.

When to Form an LLC

Because the EIN application asks for your filed entity's details, the LLC comes first. See how to form an LLC, what it will cost in your state, and which formation service is best. If you are weighing your options, our guides on the single-member LLC and how LLCs are taxed give helpful background before you apply for the EIN.

I have formed three of my own companies through Northwest Registered Agent, and they can obtain the EIN as an add-on so the entity and its tax ID are both handled in one place.

Form Your LLC with Northwest for $39 →

Final Thoughts

Getting an EIN is one of the easiest and most satisfying early steps in setting up a business, because it is quick, it is free, and it makes your LLC feel official. Form the LLC first, apply directly through IRS.gov (or have your formation service do it), save the confirmation notice, and you will be ready to open a bank account and handle taxes in the company's name.

Whatever you do, do not pay a third-party site a fee for something the IRS gives you for nothing.

Ready to form the LLC so you can get its EIN?

Northwest Registered Agent files your LLC for $39 + state fee, including a free year of registered agent service and business address privacy. They can also obtain your EIN as an add-on, so your entity and tax ID are set up together.

Start Your LLC for $39 →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is getting an EIN really free?

Yes. The IRS issues EINs at no cost through its official website. Any site charging a fee is charging you to complete a free government form on your behalf.

Does a single-member LLC need an EIN?

Not always for federal income tax if it has no employees and is a disregarded entity, but the IRS recommends one, and banks almost always require an EIN to open a business account. In practice, get one.

How long does it take to get an EIN?

If you qualify for the online tool and apply directly on IRS.gov, you receive the EIN immediately upon completing the application. Fax and mail applications using Form SS-4 take longer.

Should I get the EIN before or after forming my LLC?

After. The application asks for your filed entity's legal name and details, so form the LLC first, then apply for the EIN in the LLC's name.

Sources

The guidance in this article is based on more than two decades of firsthand experience forming and operating companies, supported by these authoritative government resources:

Educational content, not individualized legal or tax advice. IRS procedures and hours change; confirm current requirements on IRS.gov or with a licensed professional before applying.