EIN Guide Hub
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is the 9-digit federal tax ID the IRS assigns to businesses, and it is free to obtain. This hub links every LegalGlass guide on EINs - how to get one, how to look one up, how to apply without an SSN, and what to do if you lose it.
Most businesses need an EIN to hire employees, open a business bank account, or file certain federal taxes, and the IRS issues it at no cost. The guides below walk through each situation in plain language, sourced entirely from IRS pages, Form SS-4 and its instructions, and the underlying statute. Start with how to get an EIN if you just need the number, or what is an EIN if you are still deciding whether you need one.
EIN Quick Facts
- What it is
- A 9-digit federal Employer Identification Number from the IRS
- Cost
- $0 - free from the IRS (2026)
- Fastest way
- The IRS online EIN Assistant - issued immediately
- Form
- IRS Form SS-4
- Who can apply
- The responsible party, using an SSN or ITIN
Guides in This Hub
- How to Get an EIN
The free, same-day steps to apply online, by fax, or by mail.
- What Is an EIN?
What the number is, who needs one, and how it differs from an SSN or ITIN.
- EIN Lookup
How to find a business EIN - your own or another company's.
- Can You Get an EIN Without an SSN?
How ITIN holders and international applicants apply.
- How to Get an EIN for an LLC
EIN steps specific to single- and multi-member LLCs.
- Free EIN Number
Why the EIN is free and how to avoid third-party fees.
- Lost EIN
How to recover a misplaced EIN without reapplying.
- Do I Need an EIN to Open a Business Bank Account?
When banks require an EIN and when an SSN will do.
Related Hubs
An EIN is one piece of setting up and running a business. See the trademark hub to protect your name, the business-tax hub for filing, and the glossary for plain-language definitions of terms like EIN, ITIN, and responsible party. For entity setup, see how to form an LLC and what is an ITIN.
LegalGlass provides general information for educational purposes and is not a law firm or a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney or tax professional. Laws and fees change; verify current requirements with the IRS before acting.