EIN Numbers: Everything You Need to Know

An EIN number is a way to find an Employer Identification Number, which is also called a Taxpayer Identification Number. Common abbreviations used are EIN or TIN. There are several ways to conduct a number lookup.
What Is an Employer Identification Number or EIN?The IRS issues all businesses an EIN. The number is nine digits long, so it's similar to a social security number. Anyone who's self-employed can use an EIN instead of a social security number when they fill out W9 forms.
EINs are used for the following: 

• Opening business bank accounts
• Handling employee payroll
• Filing taxes
• Getting lines of credit for a business
• Getting business credit cards
• Applying for business licenses

You can easily tell the difference between an EIN and SSN. In an EIN, there are two digits, a hyphen, and then the remaining seven digits.
You can apply for an EIN free of charge. Applying for an EIN isn't state specific, as it's done on the federal level. An EIN and TIN are the same thing.
How and Where to Check an EINThere are several ways to find an EIN:

1. IRS receipt: When the IRS issues an EIN, it provides a computer-generated notice with the number on it. This confirmation notice also acts as a receipt.
2. Bank: You can also call your bank and ask for the EIN. If you opened a business account there, you provided them with the number. You may have to request the information in person and have proof of your identity. You can also check your bank statements, as some banks provide the number on this paperwork.
3. IRS by phone: You can call the IRS and speak to someone at the Business and Specialty Tax Line. The number is 1-800-829-4933. Ask an agent for the EIN number. If you request this information, you'll have to prove you're an authorized party, so be prepared to provide identifying information.
4. Payroll: Many businesses list their EIN on employee pay stubs or in payroll records, so you might be able to find the EIN using payroll information. 
5. Taxes: Tax forms from previous years also include EIN information. The number should be printed on the 1040 form or a 990 form for non-profit businesses. You can contact the IRS to get a copy, or you can check with your accountant or tax service for this information.
6. Website: You can visit the website FreeERISA, and get three free searches for an EIN. There are approximately six million records at the site. After three free searches, you'll have to pay for additional searches.

How to Get an EINYou can obtain an EIN several ways: 

• Online application with the IRS
• By mail
• By fax 

The time frame for getting an EIN is as follows: 

• Online: immediate
• Fax: four days
• Mail: up to four weeks

Online is clearly the quickest method. Once you answer all the questions in the application, you'll receive an EIN right away. When you apply online, you'll be able to save, download, and print your new EIN and your confirmation letter. Before applying online, make sure you have your social security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), depending on whether you're a U.S. citizen or foreign national. You'll need an ITIN before applying for an EIN, so if you don't already have an ITIN, you'll have to apply for that first.
It doesn't matter if you're applying as a multi-member or single-member LLC; the online application is pretty much the same. This applies no matter which state you're in as well.
Because EINs are issued by the federal government, the process for looking them up is the same across all states. This applies for obtaining one as well. Some self-employed individuals prefer to use an EIN instead of a social security number because it can help prevent identity theft. Getting an EIN is free and simple, so if you're self-employed, you might want to consider obtaining one of your own. If you want to look up an EIN, you have several options, provided you have the necessary information for a search.