You’re staring at a stack of tax forms or maybe a bank application, and there’s a giant, empty box mocking you. It wants your Employer Identification Number. You know you have one. You remember the day the IRS sent that confirmation notice, but now? That paper is buried in a folder, or maybe it’s in a box in the garage, or perhaps it was accidentally shredded during a spring cleaning frenzy.
"How do I look up an EIN?" is a question that sounds like it should have a simple, five-second answer. In a world where we can track a pizza delivery in real-time, you'd think there was a public search bar where you could just type in your business name and get your tax ID.
But it’s not that simple. Honestly, the IRS treats EINs with a level of privacy that would make a spy jealous.
Privacy is the big reason here. An EIN is essentially a Social Security number for a business. If it were totally public, identity thieves would have a field day opening fraudulent lines of credit in your company's name. So, while you can't just "Google it" for your own private LLC, there are specific, legitimate paths to find that number. Whether you are a business owner who lost your own ID or a freelancer trying to verify a client's tax status, here is how you actually get the job done.
Start with the "Digital Breadcrumbs" You Already Left
Before you spend three hours on hold with the IRS listening to elevator music, look at your own records. Most people find their EIN within ten minutes of searching their own computer or filing cabinet.
Think back to when you started the business. The IRS sends a Notice CP 575 immediately after you apply for the number. This is the "birth certificate" of your business. If you applied online, you likely received a PDF version. Search your email inbox for "CP 575" or "EIN Confirmation."
Check your bank. If you have a business checking account, you had to provide your EIN to open it. Look at your original account opening documents. If you can't find the paperwork, call your local branch manager. They usually have it on file, though they might make you show up in person with an ID to prove you're actually the owner.
Did you apply for a business license? Most city and county applications require an EIN. Your local permit office likely has a copy of your application in their system.
If you’ve ever filed a tax return for the business, the number is right there on the first page. Look at your 1120 or 1120-S from last year. It’s the nine-digit number formatted as XX-XXXXXXX.
The IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line: The Direct (But Slow) Route
If the paperwork is truly gone, you have to go to the source. The IRS has a dedicated line for this.
You call 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 must be an "authorized person" to get the number. That means you are the sole proprietor, a partner in the partnership, a corporate officer, or a trustee.
Be prepared for a wait. Sometimes it’s 15 minutes; sometimes it’s two hours. When you finally get a human being on the line, they will grill you. They’ll ask for your Social Security number, your legal name, your business address, and likely some details about when you formed the company. They are checking to make sure you aren't a scammer trying to hijack someone else's tax identity. Once they verify you, they’ll read the number over the phone. Write it down. Put it in a password manager. Tattooing it on your arm is optional but effective.
How Do I Look Up an EIN for a Public Company?
If the business you’re looking for isn't yours, the rules change completely. You can’t call the IRS and ask for the tax ID of Apple or a local tech startup. They’ll tell you to pound sand.
However, if the company is publicly traded, their EIN is actually public information. It’s buried in their SEC filings.
Go to the SEC EDGAR database. Search for the company name. Look for their most recent Form 10-K (the annual report). On the very first page of that 10-K filing, there is usually a box labeled "I.R.S. Employer Identification No." and there it is.
What if they aren't public?
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If it's a non-profit, you're in luck. Non-profits have to file a Form 990, which is public record. Websites like Guidestar or the ProPublica NonProfit Explorer allow you to search for charities and view their filings. The EIN is prominently displayed on those forms.
The Myth of the "Public EIN Database"
You might see websites promising a "Free EIN Search." Be careful.
There is no official, universal, free public database for private company EINs. Most of these websites are either scraping old data, charging you a hefty fee for information they pulled from an SEC filing, or worse—they're phishing for your data.
Credit bureaus like Dun & Bradstreet or Experian Business maintain files on almost every company. If you have a business credit report through them, your EIN will be listed there. But again, this usually requires a paid subscription or ownership of the business.
Why Your "Lost" EIN Might Be a Bigger Problem
Sometimes, the reason you can’t find your EIN is that the IRS never actually finished processing it, or there’s a mismatch in the records.
I’ve seen cases where an owner thought they had an EIN, but they never finished the online application. Or maybe they used a "Doing Business As" (DBA) name that doesn't match what the IRS has on file. If the names don't match perfectly, a bank or a vendor might tell you your EIN is "invalid."
If you are a freelancer or contractor and you need your client's EIN to issue a 1099, the simplest way is to just ask them for a Form W-9. That is the standard, professional way to handle this. You shouldn't be playing detective to find a client's tax ID. If they refuse to provide a W-9, that’s a massive red flag for your business relationship.
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Correcting Errors and Mismatches
What happens if you find the number, but it doesn't work?
Mismatches happen often. Maybe you moved your business to a new state and changed the name slightly. The IRS keeps the EIN tied to the original legal entity name. If you changed from "Smith Consulting LLC" to "Global Tech Solutions LLC" but didn't notify the IRS, your EIN lookups will fail the "matching" test used by many verification services.
To fix this, you usually need to send a letter to the IRS (at the same address where you file your returns) informing them of the name change. You’ll need to include a copy of the articles of amendment you filed with your Secretary of State.
Actionable Steps to Recover and Secure Your EIN
Don't let this happen again. Once you recover that number, take these steps immediately.
1. Create a "Master Business Folder"
Keep a physical and digital folder that contains your Articles of Incorporation, your EIN confirmation (CP 575), and your state tax IDs.
2. Store it in a Password Manager
If you use 1Password, LastPass, or Dashlane, create a "Secure Note" for your business details. Store the EIN, your Secretary of State ID, and your various tax login credentials there.
3. Check your last filed tax return
Always keep a PDF copy of your Form 1120, 1065, or Schedule C (if you're a sole prop using an EIN) in the cloud. It is the fastest way to verify your number without calling anyone.
4. Request an EIN Verification Letter (147C)
If a bank or vendor says your "self-reported" number isn't enough, you can call the IRS and ask for a 147C letter. This is a formal letter from the IRS confirming that "Yes, this number belongs to this business." They can often fax this to you immediately if you have a secure fax line (or a digital fax service).
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5. Update your W-9
If you provide services to others, keep a pre-filled, signed W-9 on your desktop. This ensures you always have your own information ready to go and prevents you from having to look it up every time a new client asks.
Finding an EIN is mostly a test of your organizational skills and your patience for government phone queues. It’s not "gone" forever; it’s just tucked away in the bureaucratic machinery. Take a breath, check your email archives one more time, and if all else fails, get ready to spend a morning on the phone with the IRS. It's a rite of passage for every business owner at some point.
Once you have that nine-digit number back in your possession, treat it like gold. It’s the key to your business’s financial identity.
Next Steps for Business Owners:
- Search your email for "CP 575" or "Department of the Treasury."
- Call your business bank branch to ask for the tax ID on your signature card.
- If those fail, call the IRS Business Line at 800-829-4933 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. local time.
- Once found, save a copy of the number in a secure, encrypted digital vault.