How to Get an EIN in Michigan (2026)

Fact-checked by the LegalGlass editorial team against primary sources · Published Aug 6, 2026 · Last updated Aug 6, 2026

An EIN is a free federal number issued by the IRS, and the process is identical nationwide - there is no Michigan-specific EIN. Apply free through the IRS online EIN Assistant and you receive the number immediately, or file Form SS-4 by mail or fax. After you have the EIN, register your business for Michigan taxes with the Michigan Department of Treasury and maintain your entity with LARA. Never pay a third-party site - the IRS charges $0.

What an EIN Is (and Why There's No Michigan EIN)

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit federal tax ID the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) assigns to a business, formatted as XX-XXXXXXX. It functions like a Social Security number for your business: the IRS uses it to identify the entity on tax filings, and banks, payroll providers, and vendors use it too. Crucially, the EIN is a federal number. There is no such thing as a "Michigan EIN" - the identical process and identical number apply whether your business is in Detroit, Grand Rapids, or anywhere else in the country.

People searching for a "Michigan EIN" usually mean one of two things: the federal EIN itself, or a Michigan state tax account number that Treasury issues when you register to collect sales tax or withhold payroll tax. Those are different numbers from different agencies. This guide covers getting the federal EIN, then points you to the Michigan registrations that come after. For the national walkthrough, see how to get an EIN, and for background on federal tax IDs generally, our ITIN guide explains a related number for individuals.

Do You Need an EIN?

Not every business needs an EIN, but most do at some point. The IRS requires an EIN if any of the following is true. You:

• Have employees and must run payroll and withhold taxes.
• Operate as a corporation or a multi-member LLC (taxed as a partnership).
• File employment, excise, or certain other federal tax returns.
• Withhold taxes on income (other than wages) paid to a nonresident alien.
• Have a Keogh or certain retirement plans, or are involved with certain trusts, estates, or nonprofits.

A single-member LLC or sole proprietor with no employees and no excise tax obligation can often use the owner's Social Security number. Even so, many owners get an EIN anyway: it keeps your SSN off vendor and client forms, most banks require one to open a business account, and payment processors ask for it. Because it is free and fast, getting an EIN is usually worth it once you form an entity. If you have already formed a Michigan LLC, get the EIN before you open a bank account or run payroll.

Before You Apply: The Responsible Party and Details

The IRS application asks for a responsible party - the individual who ultimately owns or controls the entity. For most small businesses, that is the owner or a managing member. You need the responsible party's legal name and SSN or ITIN to use the online application. You also need your business's legal name (matching your formation documents), its structure (LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship, partnership), the reason you are applying, the number of expected employees, and a mailing address.

Have your Michigan formation documents handy so the entity name and type match exactly - a mismatch can cause problems later when Treasury or a bank cross-checks records. If you are forming a new entity, complete the state formation first (or at least know the exact legal name you will use), then apply for the EIN. Only one EIN is issued per responsible party per day through the online tool, so plan accordingly if you are setting up several entities.

Steps to Get Your EIN in Michigan

Getting the federal EIN follows the same five steps everywhere, including Michigan:

1. Confirm you need one. Check the triggers above - employees, a corporation or multi-member LLC, or certain federal taxes. If none apply and you are a solo owner, decide whether you want one anyway for banking and privacy.
2. Gather your details. Have the responsible party's SSN or ITIN and your business's legal name, structure, and address ready.
3. Apply free with the IRS. Use the IRS online EIN Assistant during its operating hours. It is free. If you cannot apply online (for example, the responsible party has no SSN or ITIN), file Form SS-4 by mail or fax instead.
4. Receive the EIN. Complete the online session and the IRS issues the EIN immediately; download and save the confirmation notice (CP 575). Fax applications take about four business days; mail takes about four weeks.
5. Register for Michigan taxes. Use your new EIN to register the business with the Michigan Department of Treasury and maintain the entity with LARA (below).

The whole online process usually takes about 15-20 minutes if your information is ready. Keep the EIN confirmation in a safe place - you will need the number on nearly every tax and banking form.

Avoid Paying for an EIN

Because "EIN" searches are lucrative, many third-party websites advertise "EIN filing services" and charge $50-$300 for something the IRS does for free. Some are deceptive about their affiliation and imply they are the government. You never need to pay for an EIN, and you never need a middleman. Apply directly at IRS.gov. The only legitimate ways to get an EIN are the IRS online application, or Form SS-4 by mail, fax, or (for international applicants) phone. If a site charges a fee or asks you to "expedite" your EIN for money, close the tab and go to the IRS directly. Protecting yourself here is part of good business tax hygiene.

After the EIN: Michigan Treasury and LARA

The EIN is only the federal piece. In Michigan, two state agencies matter next. First, register for state taxes with the Michigan Department of Treasury through Michigan Treasury Online (MTO). If you sell taxable goods, you register for sales tax; if you buy taxable items without paying tax, use tax; and if you have employees, income tax withholding. Treasury issues your Michigan tax account, which is separate from the federal EIN. See Michigan LLC tax filing and the business tax hub for the ongoing filing calendar.

Second, the legal entity itself is maintained with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division, where you filed to form your Michigan LLC or corporation and where you file the annual report/statement and keep a registered agent. You can confirm an entity's status in the Michigan business entity search. Depending on your activity, you may also need a Michigan business license or local permit. Getting the EIN, registering with Treasury, and staying current with LARA together keep your Michigan business compliant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a Michigan-specific EIN?

No. An EIN is a federal Employer Identification Number issued by the IRS, and it is the same nationwide. There is no separate Michigan EIN. Michigan issues its own state tax account numbers when you register with the Department of Treasury, but the EIN itself comes only from the IRS.

How much does an EIN cost in Michigan?

Nothing. The IRS issues EINs for free. Any website that charges a fee to get an EIN is a third-party middleman, not the IRS. Apply directly through the IRS online EIN Assistant or Form SS-4 and you will never pay for the number itself.

How long does it take to get an EIN?

If you apply online through the IRS EIN Assistant, you receive the EIN immediately at the end of the session. Applying by fax generally takes about four business days, and by mail about four weeks. Online is the fastest method for most applicants.

Do I need an EIN for a single-member LLC in Michigan?

Not always. A single-member LLC with no employees that is a disregarded entity can often use the owner's SSN. You need an EIN if you hire employees, elect corporate or S-corp taxation, or a bank requires one. Many owners get one anyway to keep their SSN private.

What Michigan taxes do I register for after getting an EIN?

After the EIN, register the business with the Michigan Department of Treasury through Michigan Treasury Online for sales, use, and withholding tax as applicable. You maintain the legal entity itself with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), which is separate from tax registration.

Can I apply for an EIN without an SSN?

The responsible party generally needs an SSN or ITIN to use the IRS online application. If the responsible party has neither, you can still obtain an EIN by filing Form SS-4 by mail or fax, following the IRS instructions for applicants without a taxpayer identification number.

Related

• How to Get an EIN (cluster hub)
• How to Form an LLC in Michigan
• Michigan LLC Tax Filing
• What Is an ITIN?
• Single-Member LLC
• EIN in Maine (sibling)

Sources

1. IRS - Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online.
2. IRS - Employer ID Numbers (EINs).
3. IRS - Do You Need an EIN?
4. IRS - About Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number.
5. IRS - Responsible Parties and Nominees.
6. IRS - How to Apply for an EIN.
7. IRS - Single Member Limited Liability Companies.
8. Michigan Department of Treasury - Michigan Department of Treasury.
9. Michigan Department of Treasury - Business Taxes.
10. Michigan Treasury Online - MTO Business Registration.
11. Michigan Department of Treasury - Sales and Use Tax.
12. Michigan Department of Treasury - Withholding Tax.
13. Michigan LARA - Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
14. Michigan LARA - Corporations Division.
15. Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute - 26 CFR § 301.6109-1, Identifying numbers.

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, fees, and thresholds change; verify current requirements with the IRS, the Michigan Department of Treasury, and LARA before acting.