Question: How do I get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for my organization?
Answer: You can apply for an EIN on-line, over the telephone, via fax or through the mail. See the instructions for Form SS-4 , Application for Employer I.D. Number, for further details.
- To apply on-line, use the on-line EIN application available on this website.
- To get an EIN over the IRS’s toll-free telephone number, call (800) 829-4933. See EIN Toll-Free Telephone Service for more information.
- To request an EIN via fax, 24 hours a day / 7 days a week, dial the fax number at the location accepting applications from your state. The instructions on the Form SS-4 indicate which location will accept your faxed request.
- To receive an EIN through the mail, complete Form SS-4 . The instructions for the form provide the correct address.
Third parties can receive an EIN on a client’s behalf by completing the new “Third Party Designee” section and obtaining the client’s signature on Form SS-4. This avoids having to file a Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) or Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization) to get an EIN for their client.
Note: Don’t apply for an EIN until your organization is legally formed. Nearly all organizations are subject to automatic revocation of their tax-exempt status if they fail to file a required return or notice for three consecutive years. When you apply for an EIN, the IRS presumes the organization has been legally formed and the clock starts running on this three-year period.