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Understanding your Employer Identification Number
You can apply for an EIN by telephone, fax, mail or Internet-EIN depending on how soon you need to use the EIN.
1. Application by EIN TOLL FREE:
Under this program, you can receive your EIN by telephone and use it immediately to make payments. When applying by EIN Toll-Free telephone line, IRS suggests that you complete Form SS-4 before the call so that you will have all relevant information available. Then call the Toll-Free EIN number, 1-800-829-4933, which is available five days a week, 7:00 am - 10pm, Monday through Friday. The person making the call must be authorized to receive the EIN.
An IRS representative will use the information from the caller to establish your account and assign you an EIN. Write the number you are given on the upper right hand corner of the form, and sign and date the form. Keep this copy for your records.
2. Application by Fax:
Under the Fax program, you can receive your EIN by fax within four (4) business days. Fax your completed Form SS-4 to the fax number listed for your state under "Where to Apply". The fax number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Be sure to provide your fax number so that an IRS representative can fax the EIN back to you. Do not call the EIN toll-free number for the same entity because duplicate EINs may be issued.
3. Application by Mail:
Complete Form SS-4, date and mail it to the IRS campus according to State Mapping on page 25 of this publication. You will receive your EIN within 4 to 6 weeks. See "Where to apply" for address information.
4. Application by Internet:
Form SS-4 Internet-EIN (I-EIN) application opens another avenue for customers to apply for and obtain an employer identification number. www.irs.gov will lead you to the web site to apply for an EIN. Once you have completed all necessary fields on the online form, preliminary validation is performed and will alert you to information IRS needs that you may not have included. An EIN will be issued after the successful submission of the completed Form SS-4 online.
- Online EIN is available 24/7
- No registration is required to use this system
- No paper needs to be sent to the IRS
5. Taxpayer Representatives Authorization:
Taxpayer Representatives can receive their client's EIN by enclosing or faxing a completed Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative or Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization or the taxpayer may sign the Third Party Designee on Form SS-4. The Form 2848 or Form 8821 will be used to solely release the EIN to the representative authorized.