You’re staring at a W-2 that’s missing a digit, or maybe you’re trying to vet a new vendor and realized their paperwork is a mess. It happens. You need to know how to lookup an employer identification number, but the internet makes it feel like you’re trying to hack into the Pentagon. It’s not that deep. An EIN is basically just a social security number for a business, a nine-digit code that the IRS hands out so they can track taxes.
Finding one is usually easy. Sometimes it’s a nightmare.
If you are looking for your own number because you lost that confirmation letter from three years ago, don't panic. The IRS doesn't expect you to have a photographic memory. But if you’re trying to find someone else's number—maybe for a 1099 or a credit check—the rules change. Privacy is a thing, even for corporations.
Start With the Paperwork You Already Have
Check your junk drawer. Seriously.
Before you spend an hour on hold with a government agency, look at your old tax returns. If you've ever filed a Form 1040 (specifically Schedule C) or any business-related filing, your EIN is sitting right there. It’s also on bank statements. Most banks won't even let you open a business checking account without an EIN, so they keep it on file. Check your online banking portal under "Account Details."
Business licenses are another goldmine. Depending on your local city or county laws, you might have a permit hanging on your wall or tucked in a digital folder that lists the EIN. If you’ve applied for a loan lately, the application definitely has it.
Honestly, the easiest way to find your own is to call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. They are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time. Be prepared to wait. You'll need to prove you're an authorized person—like an officer of the company or a partner—before they tell you a single digit.
How to Lookup an Employer Identification Number for Public Companies
Public companies are a different beast. Because they are traded on the stock market, they have to be transparent. Transparency is your best friend here.
The SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) runs a database called EDGAR. It’s clunky. It looks like it was designed in 1998, but it’s the most reliable source of truth for public filings. You search by the company name, find their most recent 10-K (annual report) or 10-Q (quarterly report), and look at the first page. The EIN is almost always listed right at the top near the corporate address.
- Step 1: Go to the SEC website.
- Step 2: Enter the company name in the EDGAR search bar.
- Step 3: Open the latest 10-K filing.
- Step 4: Look for "IRS Employer Identification No."
It works every time for companies like Apple, Walmart, or Tesla. If the company is private, though? EDGAR won't help you. You'll have to get creative.
The Secret World of Non-Profit EINs
Finding the EIN for a charity or non-profit is actually easier than finding one for a for-profit business. The IRS likes to keep tabs on where tax-exempt money is going.
You can use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool. It’s free. You just type in the name of the non-profit and the location. It will spit out their Form 990 filings. Since these organizations are public charities, their tax returns are public record. You can see how much the CEO makes, where their grants go, and, most importantly, their EIN.
ProPublica also runs a fantastic tool called "Nonprofit Explorer." It's often easier to navigate than the official IRS site. They’ve digitized millions of filings, making it a breeze to find a foundation’s ID number in seconds.
Dealing With Private Companies and Small Businesses
This is where it gets tricky. Private companies don't have to tell you their EIN. They aren't in the EDGAR database. They aren't filing public 990s.
If you’re a contractor and you need their EIN to file your taxes, just ask their HR or accounting department. Most of the time, they’ll send you a Form W-9. This form is the standard way businesses exchange tax ID information. If they refuse to give it to you and you’ve done work for them, that’s a red flag for the IRS, and you might need to involve a professional.
What if you're just doing due diligence? You can try paid services like Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). They maintain "D-U-N-S" numbers, which are different from EINs, but their credit reports often include the tax ID if it's been reported.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common mistake is thinking the EIN is the same as a state tax ID. It isn't. Your EIN is federal. Your state might issue a separate ID for sales tax or payroll taxes. If you try to use a state ID on a federal form, the IRS will kick it back faster than you can say "audit."
Another misconception? Thinking that you can find anyone's EIN just by Googling it. While some sites scrape data and post it, these are often outdated or just plain wrong. Always verify with an official document like an invoice, a signed contract, or a government filing.
Using Commercial Databases
Sometimes you have to pay for convenience. If you are a lawyer or a private investigator, you probably already use LexisNexis or Westlaw. These databases aggregate records from across the country.
For the rest of us, there are business credit reporting agencies.
- Experian Business: They sell credit reports that usually include the EIN.
- Equifax Commercial: Similar to Experian, great for deep dives into a company's financial history.
- GuideStar: Specifically for non-profits, providing more granular data than the basic IRS search.
Is it worth the $40 to $100 for a report? If you're about to sign a $50,000 contract with a company you've never heard of, then yes. Absolutely.
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When All Else Fails: The Secretary of State
Every state has a Secretary of State office. This is where businesses register to "do business" in that state.
Now, most Secretary of State websites won't list the EIN directly on the search results page because of privacy concerns. However, they will show you the "Articles of Incorporation." In some states, the original filing paperwork—which is often viewable as a PDF for a small fee—might contain the EIN or at least the name of the registered agent. You can then contact the registered agent to request the information.
It’s a bit of a "detective" route. It takes time.
Actionable Steps for Your EIN Search
Stop spinning your wheels. If you need to find an EIN right now, follow this sequence:
- For your own business: Search your email for "EIN Confirmation" or "Form CP 575." If that fails, call the IRS at 800-829-4933 first thing in the morning.
- For a public company: Use the SEC EDGAR database and pull the first page of the latest 10-K.
- For a non-profit: Use ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer or the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.
- For a private company you work for: Request a W-9 from their accounting department.
- For a mystery business: Use a paid credit service like Dun & Bradstreet or Experian Business to get a verified report.
Once you have the number, double-check it. An EIN always follows the 12-3456789 format (two digits, a hyphen, then seven digits). If it has more or fewer numbers, it’s not an EIN. Keep this number in a secure password manager or a locked physical file. You'll need it every time you apply for a credit card, hire an employee, or file a return.
Don't wait until tax season to go on this treasure hunt. Sort it out now while you have the time to sit on hold or dig through old PDFs.