{"id":4639,"date":"2021-09-08T14:19:05","date_gmt":"2021-09-08T19:19:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/business-taxes\/what-is-an-ein.html"},"modified":"2024-05-24T15:08:02","modified_gmt":"2024-05-24T20:08:02","slug":"what-is-an-ein","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/business-taxes\/what-is-an-ein.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is an EIN?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

What Is an EIN?<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Tim Kelly, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by J.P. Finet, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), sometimes called Federal Tax Identification Numbers, allow the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to recognize a business for tax purposes. They are like Social Security Numbers (SSNs) for your business.<\/p>\r\n

The only business entity that does not require an EIN is a sole proprietorship<\/a>. Still, all business structures should strongly consider having one of these unique nine-digit numbers. The IRS provides guidelines<\/a> that business owners can use to see if they need an EIN.<\/p>\r\n

EINs can be obtained for free online<\/a>, over the phone, by fax, or by mail. They can also be easily updated in the event the business makes a change of organization or ownership.<\/p>\r\n

File your EIN application with confidence.\u202fOur trusted partner LegalZoom has packages starting at $79.<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n

Key Takeaways<\/h3>\r\n