EIN Lookup: How To Find Your Employer Identification Number (2026)

Every business in the United States needs an employer identification number (EIN) to file taxes, open bank accounts, and hire workers. An EIN lookup helps you find this number fast, whether it's for your own company or another business.

This guide shows how to find my EIN number using IRS records, tax forms, and online databases. You'll also learn how to look up EIN number for another company through SEC filings. If you need to generate pay stubs for your business, your EIN is one of the first things you'll need.

Key Takeaways

• Your EIN confirmation letter (CP 575) is the fastest way to find your own EIN.
• Call the IRS Business Tax Line at 800-829-4933 if you cannot locate any documents.
• Use the SEC EDGAR database to look up a public company's EIN for free.
• The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search lets you find any nonprofit's EIN online.
• You never need to apply for a new EIN just because you lost the original number.

What Is an Employer Identification Number (EIN)?

An employer identification number (EIN) is a unique nine-digit identifier in the format XX-XXXXXXX. The IRS assigns it to businesses for tax reporting. Think of it as a Social Security number for your business. It's also called a federal tax ID or business tax ID number. You might also hear it called an EIN tax ID. Some call it an employee identification number, but the IRS uses an employer identification number.

The IRS uses your EIN to track employment taxes, income taxes, and excise taxes. The first two digits show which IRS campus issued the number. The last seven digits follow in order. Your EIN stays the same even if you move or change your business name.

Your employer identification number (EIN) shows up on most tax documents. You'll see it on W-2 forms and quarterly filings. Banks, lenders, and government agencies all use it to confirm your business identity. If you're wondering, "What is my EIN number?" the sections below walk you through every way to find it.

Who Needs an EIN Lookup?

Most companies need a business EIN number. The IRS requires every entity with an employer identification number (EIN) to use it for tax reporting. You need one if any of these apply to you:

• You have employees
• Your business is a corporation, partnership, or multi-member LLC
• You file employment, excise, or firearms taxes
• You withhold taxes on income paid to a non-resident alien
• You operate a nonprofit, trust, or estate
• You have a Keogh retirement plan

Sole proprietors without employees don't need an EIN by law. Still, getting one keeps your Social Security number off business documents. It also lowers identity theft risk. Most banks require an EIN to open a business bank account. If self-employed, you'll also need your EIN when creating pay stubs from direct deposit records.

How To Find My EIN Number

There are several EIN lookup methods to find your number fast. The quickest is to check your IRS confirmation letter, known as the CP 575. If you no longer have it, review prior business tax returns or bank applications. You can also call the IRS at 800-829-4933 during business hours.

If you're asking, "How do I find my EIN number?" start with the methods below. They're listed from quickest to last resort.

1. Check Your EIN Confirmation Letter (CP 575)

When you first applied for your EIN, the IRS sent you a notice called the CP 575. This letter is your main proof of your EIN. If you applied online, you got a PDF right away. Mail applications also arrive within four weeks. Fax applications usually take about four business days.

Store this letter with your Articles of Incorporation and other key business records. If you've kept it in a safe or filing cabinet, it's the fastest way to do an EIN lookup for your own business. Learning how to find your EIN number starts with this single document.

2. Check Previous Tax Returns

Your EIN appears on every business tax return you've filed. Knowing how to find EIN number on each form can help save time. Here's where to look:

• Schedule C (Form 1040): Box D, labeled "Employer ID number (EIN)."
• Form 1065 (partnerships): Top of page 1, Box D
• Form 1120 (C corporations): Top of page 1, Box B
• Form 1120-S (S corporations): Top of page 1, Box D

Your accountant or tax preparer also has copies of these returns on file. If you need a W-2 form for your records, you can make one with our tool. Contact your accountant for a quick answer.

3. Review Business Bank and Financial Documents

If you're wondering, "Where can I find my EIN number?", your financial records are a great source. You may have given your EIN when opening your business bank account. Your bank may have it on file. Check these documents:

• Bank account applications and statements
• Business loan documents and credit applications
• Business credit card statements
• Any IRS correspondence or state tax department letters

4. Call the IRS Business Tax Line

If you still wonder "How can I find my EIN number?" after checking documents, call the IRS at 800-829-4933. The line is open Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time.

Before calling, ensure you gather these items:

• Your Social Security number or taxpayer ID number
• Your business's full legal name and address
• Proof that you're an authorized person (owner, officer, partner, or trustee)

You can also ask for Form 147C, an EIN verification letter. Request it by fax for same-day delivery, or by mail (7 to 14 business days). This phone-based EIN lookup method works even if you have no documents.

Need accurate pay documentation for your business? Generate professional pay stubs with our pay stub creator in minutes.

How To Find Your Employer Identification Number Without a W-2

You can find your employer identification number without a W-2 in several ways. Check your EIN confirmation letter (CP 575), review state business filings, or search IRS letters. You can also contact your business bank or call the IRS at 800-829-4933 for business verification.

Many people search for how to find employer identification number without W2 when starting a new job or filing taxes on their own. You can find EIN number without a W-2 using these methods:

• EIN Confirmation Letter (CP 575): Your original IRS notice from when you applied
• State Business Filings: Your state's Secretary of State database may show your EIN
• Business License Applications: Many local permits require your EIN
• Payroll Records: Check any Form 1099 documents or 1099 forms you've issued or received
• Your Bank or Accountant: Both keep your EIN on file and can look it up quickly

If you're asking, "Where do I find my EIN number without a W-2?", your CP 575 letter and bank records are the best options.

EIN Lookup for Another Company's Employer Identification Number

You can look up another company's employer identification number in a few ways. Search SEC EDGAR filings at sec.gov for public firms. Use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at apps.irs.gov/app/eos for nonprofits. You can also contact the business directly.

For private firms, check your W-2 form (Box B) or request a business credit report. This employer ID number lookup process works for businesses of all sizes.

How To Look Up EIN Number for a Public Company on SEC EDGAR

The SEC EDGAR database gives you free access to filings with EIN data. Search by company name or ticker symbol, then look for the EIN on:

• Form 10-K (annual report): Check the cover page
• Form 10-Q (quarterly report): Listed in the header information
• Form S-1 (registration statement): Included in the filing header

You can search for companies like Apple or Walmart through a federal employer identification number lookup. This is the best way to look up EIN number for any public business.

Look Up a Nonprofit's EIN

Use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search to find an EIN for any 501(c)(3) group. Search by name, city, or state. You can also access Form 990 filings, which show the EIN at the top. GuideStar and similar sites collect this same IRS data in a searchable format.

How To Find a Business EIN Number for a Private Company

Private companies don't share their EINs in public databases. If the company isn't publicly traded, try these ways to locate its tax identification number:

• Check your Form W-2. If you work there, EIN is in Box B. If you switched jobs, learn how to request a W-2 from a previous employer.
• Search your state's Secretary of State business database
• Contact the company's accounting department directly
• Order a business credit report from Equifax, Experian, or Dun & Bradstreet ($10 to $50)

Reverse EIN Lookup

Sometimes you have a tax ID number but need to know which business it belongs to. Most public databases only cover certain types of companies.

A reverse EIN lookup can help you identify the business tied to that number. The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search works for nonprofits, and SEC EDGAR covers public companies. No free tool covers all businesses. Paid business verification services can help fill this gap for private companies.

Employer State ID Number Lookup

A state employer identification number (SEIN) is not the same as your federal EIN. States issue SEINs for state tax purposes. To find yours, check old state tax returns or contact your state Department of Revenue. You can also search your state's online business database.

Your employer's state ID number lookup process varies by state. Some states offer online search tools. Others require a phone call. Keep your SEIN separate from your federal EIN in your records. They serve different purposes and show up on different tax forms. A federal EIN lookup targets your IRS-issued number. These are two separate numbers for different tax areas.

When Do You Need a New EIN?

You need a new EIN when your business changes its legal form. For example, this applies when you convert from a sole proprietorship to an LLC. You also need one if you buy or inherit another business. You don't need a new EIN for a name or address change. Don't apply for one just because you're unsure how to find EIN number for a business you already own.

Here's when the IRS requires a new EIN:

• Changing your business entity type (sole proprietorship to LLC or corporation)
• Purchasing or inheriting an existing business
• Becoming a subsidiary of another corporation
• A sole proprietorship entering bankruptcy proceedings
• Forming a new single-member LLC that elects S corp taxation

A common mistake is applying for a new EIN when you've just lost the original. The IRS gives one EIN per business entity. Getting a second one creates filing issues and may trigger an audit. Always recover your existing EIN instead.

To cancel an EIN you no longer need, write to: Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999. Include your:

• Business name
• EIN
• Reason.

You typically close your business account when the entity stops operating.

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Final Thoughts

Finding an EIN doesn't have to be hard. Now that you know how to find your EIN number, start with your CP 575 letter or past tax returns. For another company, the SEC EDGAR database and IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search are your best free EIN lookup tools. If all else fails, call the IRS at 800-829-4933 for a direct answer. Store your EIN in a password manager, your accountant's files, and a printed copy in your records. This can save you from repeating the EIN lookup process later.

Need to create pay stubs for your business? Browse our pay stub templates to make accurate pay records in minutes. You'll need your EIN to get started.