How to Get an EIN in New Jersey (2026)

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

An EIN is $0 / free from the IRS, which is the only issuer - never pay a third party. For a New Jersey business, apply online through the IRS EIN Assistant (available weekdays 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET) and receive the number immediately, or file Form SS-4 by fax or mail. The federal EIN is separate from your New Jersey business registration.

What an EIN Is and Who Needs One

An Employer Identification Number (EIN), also called a Federal Tax Identification Number, is a unique nine-digit number the IRS assigns to identify a business for federal tax purposes. It functions like a Social Security number does for an individual, but for an entity. The EIN is a federal identifier; it is not issued by the State of New Jersey and is the same whether your business operates in New Jersey or anywhere else in the country.

The most important fact about an EIN is that it is free and issued only by the IRS. Many commercial websites advertise "EIN filing services" for a fee - you never need to pay anyone, because the IRS provides the number at no cost. Under the IRS rules, you must obtain an EIN if any of the following apply:

• You hire employees and must report payroll taxes;
• You operate as a corporation or partnership;
• Your business has a multi-member LLC structure (taxed as a partnership by default);
• You file excise, employment, or certain other federal tax returns;
• You have a Keogh or certain retirement plans.

Even when it is not strictly required - for example, a solo single-member LLC with no employees - most banks require an EIN to open a business account, and it keeps your SSN off vendor and client paperwork. For the national explainer, see how to get an EIN and the glossary.

How to Apply for an EIN (Step by Step)

The EIN application is a federal process, so it is identical whether the business is in New Jersey or another state. There are three main methods, with different processing times.

Method 1: Apply online (recommended, instant)

The fastest route is the IRS online EIN Assistant, available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time. Go to the IRS "Apply for an EIN Online" page, answer the questions about your entity and responsible party, and submit. If the application is complete and valid, the IRS issues the EIN immediately, and you can download the confirmation letter. The session cannot be saved, so gather your information first, and remember that only one EIN is issued per responsible party per day.

Method 2: Apply by fax or mail (Form SS-4)

If you prefer not to use the online tool, complete Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, and submit it to the IRS by fax or mail. Faxed applications are generally processed in about four business days when you provide a return fax number; mailed applications can take several weeks. Check the IRS "Where to File Form SS-4" page for the correct fax number and address.

Method 3: Apply by phone (international applicants)

Applicants who have no legal residence or principal place of business in the U.S. and no SSN or ITIN can obtain an EIN by calling the IRS at 267-941-1099 (not toll-free). If your responsible party lacks a U.S. taxpayer number, see what is an ITIN.

The Responsible Party and One-Per-Day Rule

Every EIN application must name a responsible party - the individual who ultimately owns or controls the entity or exercises effective control over its funds and assets. For a sole proprietorship it is the owner; for a partnership, a general partner; for a corporation, a principal officer; and for an LLC, a member. Except for government entities, the responsible party must be an individual (a natural person), not another entity, and must have their own SSN, ITIN, or existing EIN.

The IRS enforces a strict limit of one EIN per responsible party per day, across all application methods. This prevents a single person from obtaining many numbers at once and applies whether you file online, by fax, or by mail. If you are setting up several businesses, plan to apply on separate days for each entity in which you are the responsible party. Keep the EIN confirmation letter with your permanent records; an EIN is never reused or reassigned.

New Jersey Registration Is Separate From the EIN

A common mistake is assuming the federal EIN also registers you with New Jersey. It does not. After you obtain the EIN, you must separately register the business with the State of New Jersey by filing the NJ-REG (Business Registration Application) with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. This registration is generally required within 60 days of starting business and before you hire employees or begin collecting sales tax.

NJ-REG registers your business for the state tax and employer obligations that apply to it - such as sales and use tax, employer withholding, and unemployment/disability contributions - administered with the New Jersey Division of Taxation. You will typically provide your federal EIN as part of that state registration, which is exactly why the two steps are related but distinct: the EIN identifies you to the IRS, while NJ-REG identifies you to New Jersey. For entity formation itself, see how to form an LLC, registered agent requirements, and state business licenses. For tax basics, see business tax and S-corp vs LLC.

When a New Jersey Sole Proprietor Needs an EIN

Sole proprietors are the group most often unsure whether they need an EIN. A sole proprietor with no employees can generally use their own Social Security number for federal tax purposes and is not required to obtain an EIN. However, a sole proprietor must get one if they hire employees, or if they file excise tax returns or have certain retirement (Keogh) plans.

Even when it is optional, getting an EIN is usually the better choice. Banks typically require an EIN to open a business checking account, clients issuing Form 1099 can use the EIN instead of your SSN, and it creates a cleaner separation between you and the business. If you later form an LLC or corporation, that new entity will need its own EIN - you cannot carry over a sole-proprietor EIN. When you are ready to close a business, review how to dissolve an LLC, and note that an EIN itself is never canceled, though the IRS can close the associated business account.

Common Issues and Tips for New Jersey Applicants

A few practical points prevent most EIN delays and mistakes for New Jersey businesses:

• Apply only through the IRS. The online EIN Assistant and Form SS-4 are free. Websites that charge a fee are third-party middlemen, not the IRS, and offer nothing you cannot do yourself at no cost.
• Match the legal name exactly. Use the exact legal name of the entity as it appears on your New Jersey formation documents. A mismatch between the EIN record and your state filing can cause problems opening bank accounts and filing returns.
• Foreign responsible party. If the responsible party has no SSN or ITIN, you cannot use the online tool; apply by fax or mail with "Foreign" in the SSN/ITIN field, or by phone as an international applicant.
• Third-party designee. If an accountant or attorney applies for you, they must be named as a third-party designee on Form SS-4, which authorizes them only to receive the EIN.
• Lost EIN. If you misplace the number, find it on a prior tax return or IRS notice, or call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line. The IRS does not reissue a new EIN for a lost one.
• Sequence with the state. Get the federal EIN first, then complete the NJ-REG so you can enter the EIN on the state application.

Following this order - confirm you need an EIN, gather your details, apply free with the IRS, then register with New Jersey - keeps federal and state obligations aligned from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an EIN cost in New Jersey?

Nothing. An EIN is free and is issued only by the IRS. Never pay a third-party website to get one for you. The fastest way is the IRS online EIN Assistant, which issues the number immediately at no charge.

Is an EIN the same as a New Jersey business registration?

No. The EIN is a federal number from the IRS. New Jersey registration is separate: you file the NJ-REG with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services to register for state taxes and as an employer, generally within 60 days of starting business.

How do I apply for an EIN in New Jersey?

Apply directly with the IRS. The fastest method is the online EIN Assistant, available weekdays 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, which issues the EIN immediately. You can also file Form SS-4 by fax or mail, or apply by phone if you are an international applicant.

Does a sole proprietor in New Jersey need an EIN?

A sole proprietor needs an EIN if they have employees or file certain excise or pension returns. Otherwise they may use their SSN federally, but most banks require an EIN to open a business account, and it keeps your SSN off vendor paperwork.

How many EINs can I get in one day?

The IRS limits issuance to one EIN per responsible party per day, whether you apply online, by fax, or by mail. If you are forming several entities, plan to apply on separate days for each one where you are the responsible party.

Related

• How to get an EIN (cluster hub)
• How to form an LLC
• What is an ITIN?
• Business tax overview
• What is a DBA?
• How to get an EIN in Ohio (sibling)
• How to get an EIN in California (sibling)
• Glossary of business terms

Sources

1. IRS - Employer ID Numbers (EINs) (overview; free from the IRS).
2. IRS - How to Apply for an EIN (methods and processing times).
3. IRS - Apply for an EIN Online (EIN Assistant hours; immediate issuance).
4. IRS - Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number (PDF).
5. IRS - Where to File Form SS-4 (fax numbers and mailing addresses).
6. IRS - Do You Need an EIN? (who must obtain one).
7. IRS - Responsible Parties and Nominees (one EIN per responsible party per day).
8. IRS - Lost or Misplaced Your EIN? (how to recover an existing EIN).
9. IRS - Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN) (SSN, ITIN, EIN).
10. New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services - Getting Registered (NJ-REG).
11. New Jersey Division of Taxation - Businesses and Business Taxes.
12. New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services - Business Registration Services.
13. State of New Jersey - Register Your Business (Business.NJ.gov).
14. Cornell Law School LII - 26 U.S. Code § 6109 (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 procedures change; verify current requirements with the IRS and the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services before acting.