How to Get an EIN for Your S-Corp
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your S-Corp's federal tax ID — required before you can open a business bank account, run payroll, or file your first S-Corp tax return. The IRS issues them free. Here's exactly how to apply without delay.
The 5-Step Application Process
Confirm your S-Corp election is filed (or in progress)
You need either a filed Form 2553 (S-Corp election) or a confirmed state S-Corp registration. If you're converting an existing LLC, you must have filed 2553 with the IRS before running payroll under S-Corp status. Your EIN can be obtained before or after the S-Corp election — the sequence doesn't matter for the EIN itself.
Have ready: your legal business name exactly as registered with your state, your state of formation, your principal business address, and the social security number (SSN) of your responsible party.
Apply online at IRS.gov — you get your EIN immediately
The IRS online EIN application at irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online issues your EIN at the end of the session — no waiting, no follow-up. It takes 10–20 minutes.
Available Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–10 p.m. ET. The session cannot be saved and must be completed in one sitting — don't start unless you have everything in front of you.
Select the right entity type — this is where most people fail
On the application, you'll be asked to select your entity type. If you are an LLC that has elected or is electing S-Corp status, select "LLC" as your entity type — NOT "S-Corporation." The S-Corp election is a tax classification, not a legal entity type.
If you formed a corporation (Inc.) that elected S-Corp status, select "Corporation." Selecting "S-Corporation" as the entity type causes processing delays because it implies you've incorporated specifically as an S-Corp under state law, which is rare.
Enter the responsible party — must be a human, not the business
The "responsible party" is the individual who controls, manages, or directs the entity and/or controls the disposition of its assets. For most single-member LLCs and small S-Corps, this is the owner.
The IRS requires the responsible party's SSN or ITIN — not the business's EIN. Entering the wrong ID number is the #2 cause of application rejection. Only government entities may use an EIN for the responsible party field.
Download and save your EIN confirmation letter (CP 575)
At the end of the online session, you can download your EIN confirmation notice. Download it immediately — you cannot return to retrieve it later. This document is required to open business bank accounts and is requested by many financial institutions.
If you lose your CP 575, you can request a replacement EIN verification letter (147C) by calling the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line: 800-829-4933.
IRS Online EIN Application (Free)
Apply directly at the IRS website — no third-party fees, no delays. The application is at irs.gov/ein. Available Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–10 p.m. ET. Have your legal business name, state of formation, principal address, and responsible party's SSN ready before you start.
4 Mistakes That Delay Your EIN
Wrong entity type selected
Choosing "S-Corporation" when you're an LLC that elected S-Corp status. The IRS sees this as a mismatch between your state filing and federal application.
Entering a business EIN for the responsible party
The responsible party field requires a human's SSN or ITIN. Entering your LLC's existing EIN (if you already have one) triggers a rejection.
Business name doesn't match state records
Even a single character difference — "LLC" vs "L.L.C.", extra comma, or abbreviation mismatch — between your state registration and IRS application triggers manual review.
Abandoning the session mid-application
The IRS online session cannot be saved or resumed. If you abandon it, you may end up with a partial application on file that blocks future submissions.