Lookup
EIN Lookup on IRS Guide
Look up an EIN with IRS Tax Exempt Org Search (free for nonprofits), call 800-829-4933 for your own EIN, search SEC EDGAR for public companies, or request a W-9. Need a new EIN? ein.so files Form SS-4 for $49.
The IRS provides limited EIN lookup. The only public IRS search tool covers tax-exempt organizations at apps.irs.gov. Private business EINs stay confidential under IRC Section 6103. To verify your own EIN, call the IRS at 800-829-4933 or request Letter 147C. To find a vendor's EIN, request a Form W-9. To search a public company, use SEC EDGAR. If you do not have an EIN yet, ein.so files Form SS-4 with the IRS for $49 Standard (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days).
An EIN, or Employer Identification Number, is the nine-digit federal tax ID the IRS assigns to a business. The format is XX-XXXXXXX. People search for an "IRS EIN lookup" for three different reasons: to recover their own forgotten EIN, to verify a vendor's number for a 1099, or to research a company. The IRS does not treat all three the same way. The IRS publishes nonprofit EINs, releases your own EIN to you, but keeps private business EINs confidential. This guide maps every official method, then explains the path for non-residents who need a brand-new EIN.
| What You Want | Official Method | Cost | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your own EIN | Call IRS 800-829-4933 or Letter 147C | $0 | Same call / 7-14 days |
| Nonprofit EIN | IRS Tax Exempt Org Search (apps.irs.gov) | $0 | Instant |
| Public company EIN | SEC EDGAR (sec.gov/edgar) | $0 | Instant |
| Private company EIN | Request Form W-9 | $0 | Depends on vendor |
| A brand-new EIN | File Form SS-4 (ein.so handles it) | $49 | 4-7 business days |
Methods
What Are the Official IRS EIN Lookup Methods?
The IRS offers four official EIN lookup paths: the Tax Exempt Organization Search for nonprofits, the 800-829-4933 phone line for your own EIN, SEC EDGAR for public companies, and Form W-9 requests for private vendors. Each path serves a different purpose, and none reveals every business EIN.
Tax Exempt Organization Search
IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line
SEC EDGAR
Form W-9 Request
State Secretary of State databases sometimes list business registrations, but most states do not publish EINs. A state filing number is not the same as a federal EIN. Treat state databases as a last resort, not a reliable EIN source.
Confidentiality
Why Does the IRS Keep Most EINs Confidential?
The IRS keeps private business EINs confidential because IRC Section 6103 classifies them as protected tax return information. The same statute shields Social Security Numbers. The IRS will not publish or disclose a private company's EIN to a third party, even by phone.
This confidentiality is the single reason no universal EIN lookup exists. The IRS treats an EIN as part of a taxpayer's identity. Releasing it freely would expose businesses to fraud and identity theft. Two narrow exceptions exist: tax-exempt organizations accept public disclosure as a condition of their status, and public companies must report their EIN to the SEC.
| Entity Type | Is the EIN Public? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 501(c)(3) nonprofit | Yes | Public disclosure required for tax-exempt status |
| Public company | Yes | SEC reporting obligation |
| Private LLC or corporation | No | Protected under IRC Section 6103 |
| Sole proprietor | No | Protected under IRC Section 6103 |
| Your own business | Yes, to you | You are the authorized responsible party |
If you need a private company's EIN for a legitimate business reason, the lawful method is a Form W-9 request. The company decides whether to share it. There is no back door through the IRS.
Your Own EIN
How Do I Recover My Own EIN From the IRS?
Recover your own EIN by checking IRS Letter CP 575 first, then calling the IRS at 800-829-4933 if you cannot find the document. CP 575 is the original confirmation the IRS mails when it assigns your EIN. If you lost it, the IRS issues a replacement called Letter 147C.
Check Letter CP 575
Check Prior Tax Filings
Call the IRS Tax Line
Request Letter 147C
The IRS releases your EIN only to the authorized responsible party listed on Form SS-4. If a different person now controls the business, the IRS may require Form 8822-B to update the responsible party before it shares the number. See the full Letter 147C guide for verification details.
Lookup vs Apply
What Is the Difference Between an EIN Lookup and an EIN Application?
An EIN lookup finds a number that already exists; an EIN application creates a new one. If your business has never had an EIN, no lookup tool will find it, because the number does not exist yet. You must apply with Form SS-4 first.
Many people search "EIN lookup IRS" when they actually need a brand-new EIN. The IRS online EIN assistant issues a number instantly, but it requires a Social Security Number. Non-residents do not have an SSN, so the online tool blocks them. Their path is the fax method using Form SS-4.
| Situation | What You Need | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Forgot your existing EIN | Lookup | Call 800-829-4933 or request 147C |
| Verify a vendor's EIN | Lookup | Request Form W-9 |
| Never had an EIN, have an SSN | Application | Use the IRS online assistant ($0) |
| Never had an EIN, no SSN | Application | File Form SS-4 by fax (ein.so handles it) |
If you fall in the bottom row, read how to get an EIN and EIN without an SSN. The lookup methods on this page do not apply to you until after the IRS assigns your number.
Non-Residents
How Do Non-Residents Get a New EIN From the IRS?
Non-residents get a new EIN by filing IRS Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627, entering a passport number on Line 7b instead of an SSN. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so the fax method is the only route. The IRS issues most error-free EINs within 4-7 business days.
Form Your US LLC
Gather Your Documents
Complete Form SS-4
Fax and Receive Your EIN
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. ein.so charges a service fee to prepare, file, and follow up on your behalf. Standard processing costs $49 and takes 4-7 business days. Express processing costs $97 and takes 2-3 business days. See the full EIN cost breakdown and EIN processing time. Learn more at EIN for non-residents.
After Lookup
What Do I Do After I Find or Get My EIN?
After you find or get your EIN, use it to open a US bank account, file required IRS forms, and connect payment processors. The EIN is your business's permanent federal tax ID. It never expires, and the IRS does not reassign it to another entity.
Open a US Bank Account
File Form 5472 Annually
File Your BOI Report
Verify the EIN When Asked
Two confidentiality rules to remember
- The IRS will not give you another company's private EIN by phone, even if you have a legitimate reason. Request a Form W-9 from the company instead.
- The IRS releases your own EIN only to the authorized responsible party on file. Keep your CP 575 letter safe so you never depend on a phone call.
ein.so files the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. For tax filings like Form 5472, BOI reports, and treaty positions, confirm your obligations with a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters. Need an ITIN as well? ein.so files Form W-7 for $197 Standard or $297 Express.
Next Steps
EIN Lookup and Application Next Steps
- Verify your own EIN — call 800-829-4933 or request Letter 147C
- Use the free lookup methods — IRS nonprofit search, SEC EDGAR, and Form W-9
- Apply for a new EIN — non-residents file Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627
- Open a US bank account — Mercury and Relay accept non-resident LLC owners
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- File your BOI report — required for most US LLCs
Related lookup pages: EIN lookup overview | Free EIN lookup | EIN lookup by name | EIN verification | EIN confirmation letter. For new applicants: EIN without SSN | EIN for non-residents | EIN cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I look up any EIN on irs.gov?
No. The IRS provides only one public EIN search tool, and it covers tax-exempt organizations. The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at apps.irs.gov is free and shows 501(c)(3) charities. The IRS does not publish a lookup tool for private businesses, because EINs are confidential under IRC Section 6103.
How do I find my own EIN through the IRS?
Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. You must be an authorized responsible party. The agent verifies your identity, then provides your EIN. You can also request Letter 147C, the official EIN verification letter, by mail or fax.
Can the IRS tell me another company's EIN by phone?
No. The IRS will not disclose another company's EIN by phone. EINs are protected tax information under IRC Section 6103. Phone agents at 800-829-4933 release an EIN only to the authorized responsible party of that specific entity. To get a vendor's EIN, request a completed Form W-9 directly from the company.
Is there a free EIN lookup on the IRS website?
Yes, but only for nonprofits. The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search is free and covers 501(c)(3) organizations. SEC EDGAR is free for public companies. No free universal lookup exists for private businesses. The fastest free way to get a private company's EIN is to request its Form W-9.
Why can't I find a private company's EIN online?
Private company EINs are confidential under IRC Section 6103, the same statute that protects Social Security Numbers. The IRS does not publish them. Private businesses share their EIN voluntarily through Form W-9, contracts, invoices, and tax documents like the 1099 you receive as a contractor.
How do non-residents look up or get an EIN from the IRS?
Non-residents cannot use the IRS online EIN tool, because it requires an SSN. To get a new EIN, non-residents file Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627 using a passport number on Line 7b. ein.so prepares and faxes the SS-4 for $49 Standard (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days).
Where is my EIN on IRS documents?
Your EIN appears on IRS Letter CP 575, the original confirmation the IRS sends when it assigns the number. It also appears on Letter 147C, prior business tax returns, and any IRS notice addressed to your business. The EIN format is two digits, a hyphen, then seven digits (XX-XXXXXXX).
What does an EIN look up cost?
Looking up an existing EIN through the IRS costs $0. The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, SEC EDGAR, and the 800-829-4933 phone line are all free. Requesting a Form W-9 is free. Getting a brand-new EIN from the IRS also costs $0; ein.so charges $49 to prepare and file Form SS-4 for non-residents.
How long does it take to verify an EIN with the IRS?
Verifying your own EIN by phone at 800-829-4933 takes one call, usually under 30 minutes including hold time. Requesting Letter 147C by mail takes 7-14 days. Nonprofit and public-company lookups on apps.irs.gov and SEC EDGAR are instant. Getting a new EIN through ein.so takes 4-7 business days on Standard.
Does ein.so help me look up an existing EIN?
ein.so files Form SS-4 to get a new EIN for non-US residents; it is not a lookup service. To find an existing EIN, use the IRS methods on this page: call 800-829-4933 for your own EIN, search apps.irs.gov for nonprofits, or check SEC EDGAR for public companies. ein.so does not provide tax advice.
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