EIN number: What it is and how to get one (2026 guide)

Key Takeaways:

• An EIN number is a free, nine-digit tax ID¹ issued by the IRS. You never need to pay a third party to get one.

• You can apply by phone, fax, or mail even if your business is based outside the US; the IRS's online tool only works if your principal place of business is in the US.

• Airwallex lets you open a USD business account using your Singapore business documents alone, so you can start transacting before your US entity setup is even finished.

An EIN number, or Employer Identification Number, is a nine-digit tax ID¹ that the IRS issues to businesses operating in the United States.

Banks, payment processors, and tax authorities use it to identify your company, much like a Social Security Number identifies an individual.

You don't need to live in the US to get one. Founders in Singapore and around the world apply for an EIN number to open a US business account, sell on US marketplaces, or set up a US entity, often without ever holding a Social Security Number.

This guide covers what an EIN number is, who needs one, and how to apply from anywhere in the world. You'll also learn how to find your own EIN number, or look up another company's.

What is an EIN number?

An EIN number is a nine-digit tax ID² that identifies a business entity. The IRS also calls it a Federal Tax Identification Number. It's formatted as XX-XXXXXXX², with two digits, a hyphen, then seven digits.

Estates and trusts that report income on Form 1041 also use an EIN number, not just companies.² If you're a sole trader without employees, you may not need one at all (more on that below.)

EIN vs. SSN vs. ITIN vs. TIN: What's the difference?

These terms often get mixed up, especially if you're new to the US tax system.

A Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is the umbrella term. An EIN number is one type of TIN, alongside a few others.

An ITIN always starts with the number 9 and is formatted the same way as an SSN (NNN-NN-NNNN).² If you're a foreign founder without an SSN, you don't need one to get an EIN number for your business.

Who needs an EIN number?

If you're setting up a US entity, form it with your state first, then apply for your EIN number. Applying before your entity is legally formed can delay your application.¹

Business activities that require an EIN number

You need an EIN number if you:¹

• Have employees

• Withhold tax on income paid to a non-resident alien

• Pay employment, excise, alcohol, tobacco, or firearms taxes

Entity types that require an EIN number

You also need an EIN number to operate as a:¹

• Partnership

• LLC

• Corporation

• Tax-exempt organization

• Estate or trust

• Retirement plan

If none of these apply to you, you may not need an EIN number at all. For example, a sole trader with no employees often doesn't.

An EIN number is a federal tax ID, issued by the IRS. It doesn't automatically register your business for state taxes.

The IRS notes that even businesses that don't need an EIN number for federal purposes can still request one for state tax or banking purposes, which means state requirements are separate from, and in addition to, your federal EIN number.

What you need at the state level depends on where you're incorporated, whether you have employees, and whether you sell taxable goods or services. Check your state's own tax agency for these requirements.

How to get an EIN number

There are four official ways to get an EIN number. Which one you use depends on where your business is based:

Applying online (US-based businesses)

You can only use the online tool if your business's principal place of business is in the US or a US territory. You'll also need the responsible party's Social Security Number or ITIN to complete the application.⁴

If approved, the IRS issues your EIN number immediately, and you can print your confirmation letter right away. You can only apply for one EIN number per responsible party per day.⁴

Applying from outside the United States

If your business's principal place of business is outside the US, you can't use the online tool. Instead, call the IRS at 267-941-1099, Monday to Friday, 6am to 11pm Eastern time.³

You can also submit Form SS-4 by fax or mail: fax to 855-215-1627 if you're within the US, or 304-707-9471 if you're outside the US, or mail it to the IRS, Attn: EIN International Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999.³

One common mistake trips up international applicants: line 7b of Form SS-4 asks for the responsible party's SSN or ITIN.

If the responsible party doesn't have one and isn't eligible to get one, write "foreign" or "N/A" instead of leaving it blank. You can find the full Form SS-4 and its instructions on the IRS website.

The responsible party and third-party designee

Every EIN number application needs a responsible party. This is the person who controls, manages, or directs the business and the disposition of its funds and assets.⁵ For most businesses, this is an owner, a principal officer, or a general partner.⁵

You can have someone else, such as an accountant or lawyer, submit your application on your behalf as a third-party designee.

However, the responsible party must still sign Form SS-4 for the designee's authorization to be valid.⁵ The designee's authority also ends once the EIN number is issued.⁵

How much does an EIN number cost?

Getting an EIN is free when you apply directly through the IRS. Although some third-party websites charge a fee to help you apply, you can complete the application yourself at no cost.

How to find a company's EIN number

Whether you're looking for your own EIN or trying to verify another business's, the process depends on whose EIN you're searching for.

Finding your own EIN number

You can usually find your EIN number in one of these places:

• Your IRS confirmation notice: The notice the IRS sent when your EIN was issued lists your EIN and business name exactly as they appear on IRS records.

• Your business tax returns: If you've already filed a federal tax return, your EIN appears on the return.

• The IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line: If you have multiple EINs or aren't sure which one belongs to your current business, call 1-800-829-4933 for assistance.⁷

Finding another company's EIN number

For publicly traded companies, you can look up an EIN through the SEC's EDGAR database:

• Search by the company's name, ticker symbol, or CIK number.

• Open its latest Form 10-K annual report.

• Look for "I.R.S. Employer Identification No." on the cover page. For example, Apple's Form 10-K lists its EIN as 94-2404110.

This method only works for publicly traded companies. Private companies aren't required to file with the SEC, so their EINs generally aren't publicly available.

How Airwallex helps after you get an EIN

Getting an EIN is an important milestone, but it's only one step in setting up your US operations. Once you have your EIN, you'll typically need a way to collect USD, pay suppliers, and manage cross-border transactions.

For Singapore businesses, Airwallex offers an alternative to opening a traditional US bank account:

• Open a USD Business Account without a US entity: Apply using your Singapore business documents; no Social Security Number or branch visit required.

• Manage 20+ currencies in one place: Hold and convert USD, SGD, EUR, GBP, and other supported currencies from a single account.

• Start with the Explore plan: Open an account on Airwallex's free Explore plan, with no monthly subscription fee.

Whether you're selling to US customers or preparing to expand into the US, Airwallex helps you start transacting in USD without waiting for every part of your US entity setup to be completed.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is an EIN number used for?

An EIN number identifies your business to the IRS for tax reporting, hiring employees, and opening a business bank account. Banks and payment processors also use it to verify your company's identity, similar to how an SSN identifies an individual. If you're a non-US founder, you'll often need an EIN number before you can open a USD account with a provider like Airwallex.

Is an EIN number the same as a tax ID?

An EIN number is one type of tax ID, but not the only one. The IRS uses "Taxpayer Identification Number" as an umbrella term that covers EINs for businesses, Social Security Numbers for individuals, and ITINs for people who aren't eligible for an SSN.² So every EIN number is a tax ID, but not every tax ID is an EIN number.

Can I get an EIN number without a Social Security Number?

Yes. If you're a foreign founder without an SSN or ITIN, you can still apply for an EIN number by phone, fax, or mail.⁴ On Form SS-4, write "foreign" or "N/A" on the line asking for the responsible party's SSN, rather than leaving it blank. You don't need an SSN or ITIN at any point in this process.

How long does it take to get an EIN number?

It depends on how you apply. Online applications from US-based businesses get an EIN number immediately.³ Phone applications are processed during the call, fax applications take about four business days, and mail applications take about four weeks.

Do I need a state tax ID as well as an EIN number?

Possibly. An EIN number is a federal tax ID, and it doesn't automatically register your business for state taxes.¹ Depending on where you're incorporated, whether you have employees, and whether you sell taxable goods or services, you may also need separate state tax registrations. Check your state's own tax agency to find out what applies to you.

How do I find a company's EIN number for free?

If the company is publicly traded, you can find its EIN number for free through SEC EDGAR, the SEC's public filing database.⁸ Search by company name or ticker symbol, then check the cover page of its most recent 10-K filing, where the EIN number is labelled "I.R.S. Employer Identification No. This method only works for public companies, since private companies don't file with the SEC.

Sources:

1.  https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employer-id-numbers

2.  https://www.irs.gov/tin/taxpayer-identification-numbers-tin

3.  https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iss4

4. https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/get-an-employer-identification-number

5. https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online

6. https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/responsible-parties-and-nominees

7.  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1635.pdf

8.  https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar

9.  https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar 

10.  https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-ss-4