How To Find EIN Number: 6 Easy Methods (2026)

If you need to know how to find EIN number for your business or your employer, you're in the right place. An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is the 9-digit federal tax ID the IRS assigns to U.S. businesses.

Whether you need it for tax filings, bank accounts, or payroll documentation, our pay stub generator creates professional pay stubs that display your employer EIN clearly.

This guide covers six proven methods to find your own EIN. It also covers how to find employer identification number without W2 and how to look up an employer ID number for another company.

Key Takeaways

• Your EIN appears on your original IRS CP 575 confirmation letter, filed business tax returns, and W-2 forms (Box b).

• Employees can find their employer's EIN in the employer section of their pay stubs or call HR directly.

• Call the IRS at 1-800-829-4933, Mon-Fri 7 am-7 pm local time, to retrieve a lost EIN by phone.

• Never apply for a new EIN if you've lost yours. One is permanently assigned per business entity.

What Is an EIN Number?

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is also called a FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number) or federal tax ID. It's a unique 9-digit number the IRS issues to identify U.S. businesses for tax purposes. It works like a Social Security number for your business. You'll need it to file taxes, open business bank accounts, and hire employees.

If you know how to find FEIN number, you already know how to find EIN number. Both terms describe the same identifier. Some documents use the label "Employer FEIN number" or "Employer ID number." They all refer to this same IRS-issued 9-digit code.

Businesses that need an EIN include corporations, LLCs, partnerships, sole proprietors with employees, and most nonprofits. Even freelancers often get one to protect their personal SSN on client invoices and 1099 forms.

How To Find Your EIN Number: 6 Methods

The fastest way to find your EIN is to check your original IRS CP 575 confirmation letter. Your EIN also appears on business tax returns, bank statements, and W-2 forms in Box b. Need to check EIN number right now? Call the IRS at 1-800-829-4933, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. local time. That also answers "Where do I find my EIN number?" if you've misplaced every document.

Want to know how to find an EIN number quickly or how to look up my EIN number without calling the IRS? Here's how to find EIN number using all six methods below.

1. Check Your EIN Confirmation Letter (CP 575)

When you first applied for your EIN, the IRS sent a CP 575 confirmation letter. This is the primary source. Applied online? You got a downloadable PDF right away. Mail applications arrive within four weeks.

Store this document with your articles of incorporation, business licenses, and other key records.

2. Review Your Business Tax Returns

Your EIN appears on every filed business tax return. Here's exactly where to find it:

• Schedule C (Form 1040): Box D, labeled "Employer ID number."

• Form 1065 (partnerships/multi-member LLCs): 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 EIN never changes after assignment, so any prior-year return works.

3. Look at Business Bank and Financial Documents

Banks require your EIN to open business accounts. Check account opening applications, monthly statements, or loan documents. Your EIN is in the business identification section.

4. Check Your Formation Documents

Your EIN often appears in your articles of incorporation, LLC operating agreement, or business licenses filed with state or local governments.

5. Review Payroll and Employment Records

Your EIN appears on every W-2 you've issued to employees (Box b) and on 1099-NEC forms you've sent to contractors. State unemployment insurance and workers' comp documents also show it.

6. Contact Your Accountant or Tax Preparer

Your tax professional has your EIN on file and can confirm it immediately. Payroll providers like ADP, Paychex, or Gusto also maintain this in your account.

Need pay documentation that clearly shows your employer EIN? Our paystub sample templates show exactly how an EIN is displayed on a professional pay stub.

Where To Find EIN Number on Pay Stubs and Tax Documents​

Every document type stores your employer's tax ID in a slightly different location. On a professionally generated pay stub from ADP, Paychex, or Gusto, the employer's EIN appears in the employer information section at the top. It may be labeled EIN, FEIN, Tax ID, Federal Tax ID, or employer FEIN number. Once you know where to find EIN number on each form, retrieving it takes seconds.

Where to find employer identification number on other common documents:

• W-2 form: Box b, labeled "Employer identification number" — this is the most reliable source

• 1099-NEC: Payer's TIN field contains the employer's EIN

• Pay stub header: Employer section, usually top-left of the document

• Business license applications: EIN is in the business identification section

Don't confuse the employer EIN with your employee ID. That's an internal HR number, not a federal tax ID. If you need to know how to find employee ID number or "How do I find my FEIN number for internal HR purposes?", contact your HR department directly. These are not the same as the federal EIN.

How To Find Employer Identification Number Without W2

Not having a W-2 is a common obstacle, especially for new employees or people changing jobs. Here's how to find employer identification number without W2, using five alternative sources:

1. Check your most recent pay stub. Look in the employer header for EIN, FEIN, or Tax ID

2. Review any prior-year tax return. Schedule C or W-2 attachments include the employer EIN

3. Check loan or bank account documents. Lenders record the employer EIN

4. Call your employer's HR or payroll department. They can confirm it

5. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-4933. Provide the employer's legal business name. The IRS can verify the employer ID number lookup

For former employees wondering, "Where do I find my EIN number from a previous employer?" check your last W-2 from that job. It'll always have the employer EIN in Box b, even years after leaving. Not sure how to request a W-2 from a previous employer? That's a straightforward process you can do by phone or mail.

How To Find EIN Number Through the IRS​

Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. local time. A representative will verify your identity and provide your EIN. You can also request Form 147C to confirm your number. It's delivered by fax (same day) or mail (7-14 business days).

CP 575 vs. Form 147C

The CP 575 is your original EIN confirmation. If it's lost, the IRS issues Form 147C as a replacement. That's how to check EIN number officially. Request it by calling 1-800-829-4933. You can't request it online or by mail.

It's important to note that you should never apply for a new EIN to replace a lost one. The IRS assigns only one EIN per business entity. A duplicate application causes rejected tax filings and delayed refunds. To verify an EIN number or confirm it's still active, call the IRS directly. Don't reapply.

Alaska and Hawaii residents normally use Pacific time for IRS hours.

How To Find EIN Number for a Company

The approach for finding another business's EIN depends on whether that company is public, nonprofit, or private. Knowing how to find EIN number for a business starts with identifying which category applies. The methods for how to find a company's EIN vary significantly by company type.

Use the sections below to match your situation. Need to know how to find a company EIN number for a specific organization, or "How do I find my employer identification number for my own business?" The answer depends on the company type.

How To Find a Public Company's EIN

Search the SEC's EDGAR database for free. Enter the company name or stock ticker and open the Form 10-K or Form 10-Q. The EIN appears on the cover page. This employer EIN lookup method works for publicly traded companies like Amazon, Walmart, and Target.

How to Find a Nonprofit's EIN

Use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. It's free. Search by organization name, city, or state to look up the employer ID number for nonprofits. Results show the EIN directly. You can also access Form 990 filings where the EIN appears at the top.

How To Find a Private Company's EIN

For private businesses, you can't find a company EIN number in a central free database. To check the EIN number for a private company, your options are limited but workable:

• W-2 Box b: If you're a current or former employee

• Request a W-9 from the company: It includes their EIN

• State business registration databases: Some states list EINs in public filings

• Business credit reports (Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, Equifax): Available for a fee ($10-$50). These are reliable for EIN last 4 digits lookup when you have partial information

If a company won't share its EIN and you need it for a 1099, explain the legal reporting requirement. That often motivates a response.

How To Apply for a New EIN

Applying for an EIN is free:

• Online (fastest): IRS EIN Assistant at sa.www4.irs.gov, Mon-Fri 7 am-10 pm ET. You will receive the EIN immediately

• By fax: Form SS-4 to 855-641-6935, receive EIN in 4 business days

• By mail: Form SS-4 to IRS, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999, allow 4 weeks

• International: Call 267-941-1099, Mon-Fri 6 am-11 pm ET

If you need income documentation alongside your EIN for a business loan or lease application, knowing how to show proof of income when self-employed is essential. You may also want to understand how to calculate your monthly income for accurate filings.

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In Conclusion

Knowing how to find EIN number saves time during tax season, loan applications, and payroll setup. Whether you need to know how to find EIN number for your own business or a previous employer's records, the methods above cover every scenario. Start with your CP 575 confirmation letter or a filed tax return. Employees should check their pay stubs' employer section or W-2 Box b. For another company's EIN, use SEC EDGAR for public companies or the IRS Tax Exempt search for nonprofits.

Need accurate, professional pay stubs that clearly display your employer EIN and payroll details? Use our paystub generator to create IRS-compliant pay stubs in minutes. No accounting background required.