Online EIN: Frequently asked questions

If you are unfamiliar with the Online EIN application, you may find this section helpful in answering your questions.

Q. When can I use my Internet EIN to make tax payments or file returns?

A. This EIN is your permanent number and can be used immediately for most of your business needs, including:

• Opening a bank account
• Applying for business licenses
• Filing a tax return by mail

However, it will take up to two weeks before your EIN becomes part of the IRS's permanent records. You must wait until this occurs before you can:

• File an electronic return
• Make an electronic payment
• Pass an IRS Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) matching program

Q. Sometimes I don't know all the information required on the application. Why should I complete the application online when I can send in paper or fax with missing information?

A. Generally, you will receive your EIN immediately when applying online. When paper or faxed Forms SS-4 are submitted with missing information it will delay the issuance of your Employer Identification Number.

Q. The legal name of my business includes the symbol for a dollar sign ($). Does the IRS accept symbols as part of a business name?

A. No. The only characters IRS systems can accept in a business name are: 1) alpha (A-Z), 2) numeric (0-9), 3) hyphen (-), and 4) ampersand (&). If the legal name of your business includes anything other than those listed above, you will need to decide how best to enter your business name into the online EIN application. Following are some suggestions:

Q. What do I do if my entire address won't fit on your address line on the Internet application?

A. IRS systems only allow 35 characters on the street address line. If your address does not fit in 35 characters, please make sure you provide the most essential address information (i.e., apartment numbers, suite numbers, etc). We’ll then validate the address you’ve provided with the United States Postal Service’s database and offer you an opportunity to make any changes to the address, if necessary.

Q. Are any entity types excluded from applying for an EIN over the internet?

A. No. All customers whose principal business, office or agency, or legal residence (in the case of an individual) is located in the United States or in one of the U.S. Territories can apply for an EIN online. The principal officer, general partner, grantor, owner, trustor etc. must have a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (Social Security Number, Employer Identification Number, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) in order to use the online application. Unless the applicant is a government entity, the responsible party must be an individual (i.e., a natural person), not an entity.

If you were incorporated outside of the United States or the U.S. territories, you cannot apply for an EIN online. Please call us at 267-941-1099 (this is not a toll-free number) between the hours of 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time.

Q. What if I forget the number I obtained over the internet?

A. IRS records will be updated immediately with your EIN. Simply call (800) 829-4933 and select EIN from the list of options. Once connected with an IRS employee, tell the assistor you received an EIN from the Internet but can't remember it. The IRS employee will ask the necessary disclosure and security questions prior to providing the number.

Q. Do all the EINs obtained on the internet start with specific numbers?

A. Yes. The unique prefixes (20, 26, 27, 45, 46, 47, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 92, 93, 99) identify the EIN as a number issued via the internet.

Q. Do I need a certain computer or software to obtain an EIN over the internet?

A. No. You can go to IRS.gov through any computer that has Internet access. You should have a current Internet browser, which will allow you to view and complete the application process. However, you will need Adobe Reader installed if you would like to receive a confirmation letter online.

Q. Now that I have my EIN, when can I use it to make tax deposits?

A. Based on the information you submit on your application or if you indicate you will have employees, you will automatically be enrolled in the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System—EFTPS—so you can make all your deposits online or by phone. Within a few days you will receive by mail your EFTPS enrollment confirmation, as well as a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and complete instructions for using EFTPS. You will need to wait until you receive your EFTPS information in the mail before you can make a payment electronically. Once you receive your EFTPS confirmation package, you can begin making EFTPS payments.

EFTPS is a service provided free by the U.S. Department of the Treasury that allows individual and business taxpayers to initiate all Federal tax payments using the internet or phone. You can input your tax payments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week using a secure government website or an automated voice response phone system. Refer to Publication 4275, EFTPS Express Enrollment for New Businesses PDF for additional information about EFTPS.