You’re staring at a bank application or a W-9 form and suddenly realize you have no clue where that nine-digit number is. It happens to the best of us. Whether you’re a seasoned CEO or a freelancer who just registered an LLC last week, losing track of your Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a rite of passage. Honestly, it’s just a string of numbers. But without it, your business basically hits a brick wall. No bank account. No hiring. No tax filing.
Most people panic and think they have to sit on hold with the IRS for three hours. You don't. Usually, the answer is sitting in your inbox or a dusty filing cabinet. If you’re asking how do i find my ein tax number, the solution is usually much closer than you think.
Start With the Confirmation Notice (CP 575)
When the IRS first issued your EIN, they sent you a very official-looking document called a CP 575. This is the holy grail of business documentation. If you applied online, you likely received a PDF version immediately. Check your downloads folder. Search your email for "CP 575" or "EIN Confirmation."
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If you applied via mail or fax, you’ve got a physical piece of paper somewhere. It’s that boring, white computer-generated letter that looks like every other piece of government mail. If you’re lucky enough to have a digital copy, save it in three different places. If you used a formation service like LegalZoom or ZenBusiness to start your company, they almost certainly have a copy of this stored in your user dashboard. Log in there first. It’s way faster than calling a government agency.
Dig Through Your Financial Paperwork
Bankers are meticulous. If you ever opened a business checking account or applied for a small business loan, the bank required your EIN. It’s a hard rule. Pull up your last bank statement. While the full nine digits might be masked for security (like XX-XXX1234), the original account opening documents will have the whole thing.
Think about your credit cards. Business credit card applications always ask for this. If you use an accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero, check your "Company Settings." You would have entered it during the initial setup so the software could generate 1099s or payroll tax forms.
Licenses and Permits
Local governments often require an EIN for business licenses. If you have a liquor license, a health department permit, or even a general city business permit, dig those out. Often, the application copy you kept—or sometimes the license itself—will display the federal tax ID.
The IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line
Okay, let’s say you’ve searched everywhere. Your email is empty, your filing cabinet is a mess, and your bank is being difficult. You have to go to the source. The IRS has a specific line for this: the Business & Specialty Tax Line.
The number is 800-829-4933.
They are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday. Here is the catch: you have to be an "authorized person." That means you must be the sole proprietor, a partner in the partnership, a corporate officer, or a trustee. They aren't going to give it to your cousin or your random assistant. They will ask you a series of security questions to verify your identity. Have your Social Security number and your business address ready.
Wait times suck. Try calling right when they open at 7:00 a.m. sharp. Tuesday through Thursday is generally better than Monday or Friday.
Check Your Tax Returns
If you’ve been in business for at least a year, your EIN is printed on every federal tax return you’ve ever filed. Look at the top of Form 1120 (for corporations) or Form 1065 (for partnerships). If you’re a single-member LLC and you file a Schedule C on your personal 1040, it might be there, but only if you were required to have an EIN for employees or excise taxes.
Payroll and 1099s
Did you hire a contractor last year? If you sent out 1099-NEC forms, your EIN is right there in the "Payer’s TIN" box. If you have employees, your quarterly Form 941 is literally built around that number. It’s the primary identifier for your payroll tax deposits.
Common Misconceptions About the EIN
A lot of people think the EIN is public record like a trademark or a SEC filing. It’s not. While some sites might claim you can look up any company's EIN for free, that’s usually only true for non-profits or publicly traded companies.
- Public Companies: You can find their EIN in their SEC filings (specifically the 10-K) via the EDGAR database.
- Non-Profits: Use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool or GuideStar. Their EINs are public because their tax status is public.
- Private Small Businesses: You won't find these in a public search. There is no "Yellow Pages" for tax IDs. This is for your protection against identity theft.
What If You Realize You Never Had One?
It sounds crazy, but sometimes people realize they’ve been using their Social Security number for everything. If you’re a sole proprietor with no employees, you might not actually have an EIN. You can apply for one for free on the IRS website. It takes about 15 minutes.
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Don't pay those "expedited EIN" services $200. They are just filling out the same free form you can do yourself. The IRS website issues the number immediately upon completion of the online application, provided you apply during their operating hours (Monday–Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET).
Secure Your Number Once You Find It
Once you finally track it down, don't just scribble it on a post-it note. Treat it like your business's Social Security number. Create a "Master Business Info" digital file.
Store a scan of that CP 575 letter in a secure, encrypted cloud drive. Add the number to your password manager under a "Secure Note." This saves you from going through this headache again next tax season. You’ve got enough to worry about with margins and marketing; don't let a missing nine-digit number slow your momentum.
Actionable Steps to Locate Your EIN Today
- Check your email archives for "CP 575," "EIN," or "Department of the Treasury." Look specifically for attachments.
- Review your business bank account opening documents. If you don't have them, message your banker through the secure portal and ask for the "Account Profile" or "Signature Card" on file.
- Look at last year's tax returns. Specifically, check the top right corner of any business-related schedules or forms.
- Contact your Registered Agent. If you used a service to form your LLC, they likely have a copy of your EIN confirmation in their records.
- Call the IRS at 800-829-4933 as a last resort. Do this at 7:00 a.m. local time to minimize hold times. Be prepared to verify your SSN and business address.
- Create a digital "Vault." Once found, save a PDF of the official IRS letter in an encrypted folder so you never have to search for it again.