An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique nine-digit tax ID assigned by the IRS to businesses, and knowing how to locate this number can be important whether you’re trying to verify a company’s legality, prepare tax paperwork, or set up your own financial records.
There are several ways to look up a company’s EIN, each with its own advantages depending on whether you’re looking for your own number or trying to find another business’s.
The IRS itself keeps records and may be able to provide your EIN directly, especially if you call their Business & Specialty Tax Line. Many business owners can also find their EIN on previously filed tax returns, since the number appears on those documents, or on the original IRS confirmation letter that was issued when the EIN was created.
If you’ve used your EIN for official purposes, such as applying for a license or opening a bank account, those institutions will usually have it on file as well.
If you want to know how to locate a company’s EIN, it not only helps provide clarity but also protects you from a probable hoax.
How To Lookup A Company’s EIN Number:
Whether you’re verifying an invoice or investigating a potential partnership, an EIN lookup can be a powerful tool. While EINs aren’t as freely searchable as personal data, several methods can help you identify the business and the EIN.
1. Calling IRS Helpline
One of the most direct ways to retrieve your EIN is to contact the IRS itself. The IRS runs a dedicated (Business & Specialty) Tax Line that you can call at 800-829-4933 Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. local time.
When you call, you’ll need to provide identifying details such as your legal name, Social Security number, or business information so the agent can confirm your identity. If everything checks out, the IRS representative will give you your EIN over the phone. This option is particularly helpful if you misplaced your confirmation letter and can’t find the number elsewhere.
For example, if you formed “Tulie’s Auto Repair LLC” in 2022 and can’t locate your paperwork, calling the IRS and verifying your details will give you the number right away. Keep in mind that only authorized individuals (like the owner, officer, or trustee) can make this request.
2. Your Tax Returns
Another method to find a company’s EIN is by looking at tax returns you’ve already filed. Whether it’s a corporate income tax return, a partnership return, or payroll tax filings, your EIN will appear at the top of those forms because it’s required for processing.
If you run “Baker & Sons Landscaping” and filed a business return in 2023, the EIN would be listed on the first page of your IRS Form 1120 or 1065. This doesn’t require any phone calls or third-party services, as it simply depends on keeping copies of your past returns. The IRS recommends saving tax records for at least three years, though many accountants suggest keeping them longer.
If you store documents electronically, a quick keywords search for “Employer Identification Number” in your files may reveal the number instantly. This method is especially handy for businesses that have been operating for several years.
3. IRS Confirmation Letter
When you first applied for an EIN, the IRS sent out a confirmation letter, often referred to as a CP 575 notice. This document officially confirms your new tax ID and is typically mailed to the business address you provided on the application. If you applied online, you had the option to immediately download and print the letter from your browser, and a physical copy was also mailed within a few weeks.
This letter is one of the most specific spots to check for your EIN because it’s the very first record the IRS provides. For example, if “TH Ideas Consulting LLC” was formed in 2021 and you kept your business files organized, that CP 575 notice will have the EIN printed clearly on the top right-hand corner. Many banks and licensing agencies also request a copy of this letter, so you may find duplicates in your paperwork or scanned in your email records.
4. Check with Banks or Licensing Agencies
If you’ve ever used your EIN to open a business checking account, apply for a loan, or register for a business license, those organizations should have your EIN on file. Banks, in particular, will not allow you to establish a business account without verifying your federal tax ID number.
That means if you walk into your branch and ask for documentation related to your account, your EIN should appear there. Similarly, state or local agencies that issue permits (like a liquor license for “Main Street Tavern” or a contractor’s license for “Ace Builders Inc.”) would also have your EIN listed in their files. Requesting a copy of your application or account paperwork can quickly get you the number you need. This is especially practical if you’ve kept your government filings or banking correspondence handy, since they almost always reference your business’s EIN.
5. Search Public Records
If you’re trying to look up another business’s EIN, public records are often the best place to start. For publicly traded companies, the SEC’s EDGAR database is free to use and includes EINs in official company filings. For example, searching “Coca-Cola” on EDGAR brings up its filings, where the EIN is listed under company information.
For nonprofits, the IRS maintains a Tax Exempt Organization Search tool that allows you to find charities by name, city, or state, with the EIN displayed in the results. This method is excellent for due diligence, verifying donation eligibility, or researching potential business partners.
However, keep in mind that smaller private companies aren’t required to make their EIN public, so you won’t find every business this way. Still, if you’re researching a public corporation or nonprofit, the SEC and IRS databases provide official, trustworthy EIN information at no cost.
6. EIN Lookup Service
When public records don’t provide the answer, a third-party EIN lookup service can be useful. These services compile data from state registrations, public filings, and other sources to offer searchable databases of EINs. Some are free, while others require a subscription or a one-time payment.
For example, platforms like OpenCorporates can help you identify a private company’s federal tax ID, especially when paired with details like the company’s legal name or state of registration. Let’s say you’re trying to find the EIN for “ABC Deed LLC,” a mid-sized private company, and you may be able to get results through a professional lookup database that aggregates filings beyond what’s available on the IRS or SEC websites.
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Why Having an EIN Matters for Businesses?
Whether you’re a freelancer just starting or managing a growing company, having an EIN can simplify compliance, open financial doors, and build professional credibility with partners and clients.
1. Important for Employment and Payroll
If you hire even one employee, you’ll need an EIN to report payroll taxes and handle employment-related paperwork. This number allows the IRS to track wages, withholdings, and social security contributions. Without an EIN, paying staff legally or filing required forms isn’t possible, so obtaining it is one of the first compliance steps for any employer.
2. Banking and Financing Options
Banks and lenders require an EIN before approving business checking accounts, loans, or credit cards. They use the number to confirm your business identity and verify you’re authorized to act on behalf of the company. Having an EIN makes opening accounts smoother and helps establish your company’s independence from your personal finances.
3. Certain Tax Filings
Corporations, partnerships, and other entities can’t complete federal returns without an EIN. The IRS uses this identifier to process income, excise, or employment tax filings. Even if you’re a sole proprietor, obtaining an EIN makes tax filing simpler and avoids overexposure of your Social Security number on every return or client form you submit.
4. Builds Business Credit and Credibility
An EIN separates your personal credit from your business credit profile. With it, you can start establishing a track record with credit bureaus under your company’s name.
Over time, this helps you qualify for higher credit limits, better loan terms, and stronger business relationships, while protecting your personal credit score from being impacted by business activities.
How to Look Up Another Company’s EIN?
If you need another company’s EIN, you should start by finding it in official public sources. For a public company, search the SEC’s EDGAR database; these EINs often appear on filings like the 10-K, 10-Q, or S-1.
For nonprofits, use the IRS’s Tax-Exempt Organization Search tool. You can also check state business registries (Secretary of State websites) or search government-filed documents like business license applications or incorporation papers. If those fail, contact the company’s accounting or legal department directly.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Not always. Public companies and nonprofits generally disclose their EINs because they file with regulatory agencies or tax-exempt registries. But private companies are not required to publicly share their EINs. Unless the EIN is included in a document you have access to, you may need the company’s cooperation or a paid database to verify it.
Sometimes state registries include EINs in their records, but this varies by state. Many states only list the entity’s registration number or certificate, not the IRS EIN. If the state database doesn’t show the EIN, your best bet might be a regulatory filing, SEC filing, nonprofit registry, or another public document.
Yes, it’s legal to request a company’s EIN, especially if you have a legitimate business reason (for verification, tax reporting, etc.). The company is not always obliged to give it, particularly to private firms. But asking accounting, payroll, or compliance departments is standard practice.