Getting your EIN Through the IRS.  Beware of Third-Party Companies.

If you’re starting a new business or organization in the United States, you’ll need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This unique nine-digit number is used to identify your business for tax purposes and is required to open a business bank account, apply for loans, and hire employees.

If you go to Google and type in “how to get an EIN number for my business” You will get a few sponsored posts from companies that offer to obtain a EIN for a fee.  

 By following  simple steps, you can obtain your EIN for free directly from the IRS, without having to pay any fees to a third-party service. Keep in mind that the IRS website www.IRS.gov is the only official website to apply for an EIN, so be cautious of any other websites or services that claim to offer EIN application services for a fee. These sites can be sneaky and use URLS, logos and graphics that look official. Government sites always have website domains that end in .GOV. 

Here are the steps to applying for an EIN through IRS.GOV:

Determine eligibility: In order to apply for an EIN online, your business or organization must have a principal business located in the United States or U.S. Territories. Additionally, you must have a valid taxpayer identification number, such as a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

Visit the IRS website: Go to the https://www.irs.gov and navigate to the “Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN)” page.

Complete the online application: The online application process will ask for basic information about your business, such as the legal name and address, as well as information about the responsible party for the business, such as the owner or manager. The should take no more than 15 minutes.

Obtain your EIN: Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive your EIN immediately. You can print the confirmation letter for your records or download it as a PDF.