Where to look for a company's tax ID

A company's tax ID number — also called an Employer Identification Number or EIN — is public information. You can find it through the IRS website, the company's own documents, or your state's business records office.

The fastest route is the IRS EIN lookup tool at irs.gov. Go to the "EIN" section, select "Lookup an EIN", and search by company name and state. The tool returns the EIN when ready if the company is registered with the IRS.

If the company is small or very new, it may not yet appear in the IRS database. In that case, check your state's Secretary of State office website — most states maintain a searchable business registration database that includes EINs or the state equivalent.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS EIN lookup tool at irs.gov is the official source and returns results in seconds for most registered companies.
  • Your state's Secretary of State office maintains a searchable business database that often includes tax ID numbers for companies registered in that state.
  • A company's own tax documents — W-2 forms, 1099 forms, or invoices — will show the EIN if you already have access to them.
  • If a company does not appear in any public database, it may not yet be registered with the IRS or may operate under a different legal name than you searched.

Using the IRS EIN lookup tool

Go to irs.gov and navigate to the "Employer Identification Number (EIN)" page. Click "Lookup an EIN" in the left menu. You will see a search box that asks for the company name and the state where it is registered.

Type the exact legal name of the company as it appears on official documents. If you are unsure of the legal name, try the most common version first — the tool often returns results even if you use a shortened or informal name. Select the state and click search.

The tool will return the EIN, the company's address on file with the IRS, and the date the EIN was issued. Write down the EIN exactly as shown — it is a nine-digit number formatted as XX-XXXXXXX.

Checking your state's business records

Each state maintains its own business registration database, usually through the Secretary of State office. These databases are free and searchable online. Search for "[your state] Secretary of State business search" to find the link.

In the state database, you can search by company name, owner name, or sometimes by business address. Results typically show the company's legal name, the date it was registered, its address, and often the EIN or state tax ID number.

State databases are especially useful if the company is newly formed and has not yet appeared in the IRS system, or if you need to confirm that a company is actually registered in a particular state. Some states also show whether a business is currently active or has been dissolved.

Finding the EIN on company documents

If you have received any tax-related paperwork from the company, the EIN will be printed on it. W-2 forms, 1099 forms, and 1099-NEC forms all display the employer's EIN in the upper right corner. Invoices and contracts from the company may also include the EIN.

If you are a contractor or vendor who has worked with the company, check any payment records or tax forms you received. If you are a job applicant or employee, the company's offer letter or onboarding documents sometimes include the EIN.

This method works only if you already have a document from the company. For a quick search without existing paperwork, the IRS lookup tool is faster.

What to do if you cannot find the EIN

If the company does not appear in the IRS lookup tool or your state's business database, it may be registered under a different legal name than the one you searched. Try searching for variations — for example, if you searched "Smith Consulting LLC", try "Smith Consulting" or "Smith Consulting Inc."

The company may also be very new and not yet registered with the IRS. New businesses typically receive an EIN within two to four weeks of explore, but it can take longer. If you need the EIN urgently, contact the company directly and ask for it — they are required to provide it.

If the company claims it does not have an EIN, it may be a sole proprietorship that uses the owner's Social Security Number instead of an EIN for tax purposes. In that case, ask the company for the owner's name and Social Security Number if you need it for tax reporting.

Why you might need a company's EIN

You need a company's EIN for tax reporting if you paid the company more than $600 in a calendar year for services or goods. The IRS requires you to report this on a 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC form, and you need the company's EIN to file the form correctly.

You may also need the EIN to verify that a company is legitimate before doing business with it, to check the company's credit history, or to file a complaint with a government agency. Some lenders and vendors ask for a company's EIN as part of a background check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a company's EIN the same as its state tax ID?

No. The EIN is a federal tax ID issued by the IRS. Most states also issue their own tax ID numbers for state income tax, sales tax, or unemployment insurance purposes. A company may have both an EIN and one or more state tax IDs. If you need the state tax ID specifically, check your state's tax agency website.

Can I find a company's EIN if I only know its website or phone number?

The IRS lookup tool requires the company's legal name and state. If you only have a website or phone number, use those to find the company's legal name first — check the "About Us" page, the privacy policy, or the terms of service. Once you have the legal name, search the IRS tool.

What if the company's EIN is not showing up in the IRS database?

The company may be registered in a different state than you think, or it may be operating under a different legal name. Try searching your state's business database instead, or contact the company directly. If the company is very new, it may not yet appear in the IRS system.

Do I need the EIN to hire a contractor?

You need the contractor's EIN or Social Security Number if you will be paying them more than $600 in a year and need to file a 1099 form. Ask the contractor for their EIN or SSN before you hire them. If they are a sole proprietor without an EIN, they will provide their Social Security Number instead.