So, you need to find an Employer Identification Number. Maybe you're trying to verify a vendor, or perhaps you've misplaced your own paperwork and the IRS isn't picking up the phone. It happens. But here is the thing: the internet is absolutely crawling with "lookup" services that want to charge you $50 just to tell you they couldn't find anything. Searching for an EIN online isn't always a straight line, mostly because the IRS keeps tax IDs pretty close to the vest for privacy reasons.
If you are looking for a public company, it is easy. If it's a tiny LLC down the street? Honestly, it's going to be a bit of a hunt.
The first thing you have to understand about how to search EIN online is that there isn't one giant, master "Google" for tax IDs. You have to be a bit of a detective. You are looking for a nine-digit number formatted like 12-3456789. It is the social security number for a business. Because it's sensitive data, the IRS doesn't just let you type a name into their site and hit "search." That would be an identity thief's dream.
The SEC EDGAR Trick for Public Companies
If the business you’re researching is publicly traded—think Apple, Tesla, or even smaller companies that sell stock to the public—you are in luck. This is the gold standard for how to search EIN online. Public companies are legally required to disclose their EIN on their filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Go to the SEC EDGAR database. It looks like something out of 1998, but it works. Type in the company name. Look for their most recent Form 10-K (the annual report). Right there on the very first page, usually near the top address section, you will see "IRS Employer Identification No." followed by the digits. It’s free. It’s official. It takes two minutes.
But what if they aren't public?
Finding a Private Company’s EIN
This is where it gets tricky. Private companies don't have to tell the SEC anything. However, they do leave a paper trail.
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Check their website's "About" or "Investor Relations" page, though that's a long shot. A better bet is looking for industry-specific licenses. For example, if you're looking for a non-profit, you can use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Non-profits are much more transparent than standard businesses. You can pull their Form 990, and the EIN will be right at the top.
Local and State Filings
Sometimes, you can find the number through the Secretary of State's office. Now, most states won't show the EIN on a basic business search to prevent fraud. They will show you the "State Entity ID," which is NOT the same thing as an EIN. But, if you look at the scanned copies of the original Articles of Incorporation or certain amendments, sometimes—just sometimes—the filer was lazy or uninformed and wrote the EIN directly on the document.
How to Search EIN Online for Your Own Business
If you've lost your own number, stop panicking. You don't need to pay a "recovery service."
First, go find that "Confirmation Notice" (CP 575) the IRS mailed you when you first applied. It’s probably in a dusty folder or an old email attachment. If that’s gone, check your business bank account applications. Your banker definitely has it on file because they can't open an account without it. Look at your old tax returns. Look at any 1099-NEC forms you’ve sent to freelancers.
If all else fails, you have to call the IRS.
Call the 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. Seriously, clear your schedule and put your phone on speaker. You’ll need to prove you are an authorized officer of the company—meaning they will ask for your Social Security number, address, and position. They won't give the number to just anyone.
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The Truth About Paid Search Databases
You’ll see ads for sites like Melissa Data or various "Business Search" portals. Some of these are legit aggregators that buy data from credit bureaus and state filings. They might have the EIN. But they usually charge a fee.
Is it worth it?
Only if you’re doing high-volume B2B due diligence. For a one-off search, these databases are often outdated. A company might have changed its EIN after a reorganization, and the database might still be showing the old one. If you’re a developer or a credit analyst, you might use an API like Middesk or Sayari. These are professional tools that cost a lot of money because they verify the data against official records.
Why You Actually Need the Number
Most people searching for an EIN online are trying to do one of three things:
- They’re a freelancer trying to fill out a W-9.
- They’re a business trying to verify if a vendor is real.
- They’re trying to check a company's credit report.
If you are a freelancer and your client won't give you their EIN, that is a massive red flag. You need that number to report your income correctly. On the flip side, if you are the business owner, never just post your EIN on your website. It's an invitation for people to file fraudulent tax returns in your name or open lines of credit.
Common Misconceptions About EIN Lookups
People often think an EIN is like a phone number. It isn't.
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It is a federal tax identifier. There is no "Yellow Pages" for EINs. If a website claims they have "every EIN in the country" for free, they are lying or phishing for your data. Be careful. Clicking a random link on a sketchy forum promising a "free EIN database" is a great way to get malware.
Also, keep in mind that many small businesses—especially sole proprietorships—don't even have an EIN. They just use the owner's Social Security Number. If you're searching for "John Doe's Landscaping" and coming up empty, that's likely why. He doesn't have one.
The Professional Method
If you're in the middle of a legal dispute or a major merger, you don't "search" for an EIN; you request a tax transcript or use a specialized due diligence firm. These firms have access to premium data feeds from credit agencies like Experian Business or Dun & Bradstreet.
D-U-N-S numbers are often confused with EINs. They are different. A DUNS number is for credit reporting; an EIN is for taxes. Sometimes, if you find a company's DUNS profile, the EIN will be listed there if the owner chose to make it public.
Actionable Steps to Find That Number
If you're stuck right now, follow this specific order. It will save you hours of clicking through dead ends.
- Check the SEC EDGAR database first if the company is large or well-known.
- Search the IRS Non-Profit database if there’s any chance the organization is a 501(c)(3).
- Review your own financial records—bank statements, old 1099s, or permit applications—if you’re looking for your own lost number.
- Call the IRS Business Line at 800-829-4933 as a last resort for your own business identification.
- Inquire with the company’s accounting department directly; if you have a valid business reason (like issuing a 1099), they are usually happy to provide a Form W-9 which contains the number.
- Utilize a paid credit service like Experian Business only if the information is worth the $40-$100 price tag.
Stop clicking on "Free EIN Search" ads that look like they were designed in the early 2000s. They usually just lead to a paywall or a lead-generation form for an unrelated service. Stick to official government portals or direct contact. If a company is private and doesn't want to be found, you aren't going to find their EIN on page one of a search engine without a bit of manual legwork.