How to Find a Company's Tax ID Number

Where to find a company's tax ID in minutes

A company's tax ID—officially called an Employer Identification Number (EIN)—is a nine-digit number the IRS assigns to businesses, nonprofits, trusts, and other entities. You can find it through the IRS's free online search tool, the company's official documents, or by contacting the business directly.

The fastest route is the IRS EIN Lookup Tool at irs.gov. You enter the business name and state, and the tool returns the EIN if the company is registered with the IRS. This works for most active businesses, though some very new companies or sole proprietorships may not appear yet.

If the online tool doesn't return a result, you have other reliable sources: the company's website (often in the footer or "About Us" section), their tax documents, business licenses, or a direct phone call to their accounting or HR department.

Key Takeaways

The IRS EIN Lookup Tool at irs.gov is free and returns results in seconds for most registered businesses.
A company's EIN appears on their tax returns, W-2 forms, business licenses, and official correspondence with the IRS.
If you need the EIN for a W-2 or 1099 form you received, check the document itself—employers are required to print it there.
Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs may use their Social Security Number instead of an EIN, so no number may exist to find.
If the company won't provide their EIN and you need it for tax purposes, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with the company's legal name and address.

Using the IRS EIN Lookup Tool

Go to irs.gov and search for "EIN Lookup." The official tool is called the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for nonprofits, or you can use the general business search through the IRS website. Enter the legal business name exactly as it appears on their tax filings, then select the state where the company is registered.

The tool returns the EIN, the business type (corporation, partnership, nonprofit, etc.), and the date the EIN was issued. Results appear when ready. If nothing shows up, try searching with a shortened version of the name—for example, search "Apple" instead of "Apple Inc." or use the company's doing-business-as (DBA) name if you know it.

This tool works for any business that has filed taxes with the IRS or registered as a nonprofit. It does not work for sole proprietors who have never obtained an EIN, since they use their Social Security Number for tax purposes instead.

Finding the EIN on company documents

If you received a W-2, 1099, or other tax form from the company, the EIN is printed on that document in the box labeled "Employer Identification Number" or "EIN." This is the most reliable source because employers are legally required to include it.

You can also find the EIN on the company's business license, articles of incorporation, or annual reports filed with the state. Many states publish business filings online through their Secretary of State website. Search the state's business database by company name, and the filing will show the EIN.

If the company has a website, check the footer, "Contact Us" page, or "About Us" section. Some businesses list their EIN for transparency or because they work with vendors who need it. You can also look for the company's most recent annual report or 10-K filing if it is a publicly traded company—the SEC's EDGAR database (sec.gov/cgi-bin) contains these documents and includes the EIN.

Asking the company directly

If you need the EIN for a legitimate business reason—you are a vendor, contractor, or employee—call the company's main number and ask for the accounting, finance, or HR department. Explain that you need their EIN for tax reporting purposes. Most companies will provide it without hesitation.

If you are filling out a W-9 form (which contractors submit to clients), the client company is responsible for providing their EIN to you. If they do not, you can still submit the W-9 with the information you have and note that you requested the EIN but did not receive it. The IRS can match the company later.

Be specific about why you need it. If you are a new employee and need it for your tax records, say that. If you are setting up a vendor account, explain that. Companies are more likely to respond quickly when they understand the context.

What to do if you cannot find the EIN

If the IRS lookup tool returns no results and the company will not provide the number, the business may be very new, operating as a sole proprietor, or not yet registered with the IRS. Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs that have no employees often do not obtain an EIN—they use their Social Security Number instead.

If you received a tax form from the company and it has a nine-digit number in the EIN box, that is the correct number even if the IRS tool does not find it when ready. New EINs can take a few weeks to appear in the public search tool.

If you need the EIN for tax reporting and cannot find it through any of these methods, contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040. Have the company's legal name, address, and phone number ready. The IRS can confirm whether an EIN exists and, in some cases, provide it to you.

EIN vs. other business identification numbers

Do not confuse the EIN with other numbers you might see on business documents. A DUNS Number (from Dun & Bradstreet) is used for business credit and vendor relationships but is not a tax ID. A state tax ID or state employer ID is separate from the federal EIN and is issued by your state's revenue department.

If a form asks for "tax ID," it usually means the EIN. If it asks for "federal employer ID" or "FEIN," those are the same thing. State tax IDs are different and are typically used only for state-level tax reporting or unemployment insurance.

When in doubt, ask the person or organization requesting the number which ID they need. Most tax forms and vendor applications specify "federal EIN" or "federal tax ID" to avoid confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find a company's EIN if they do not want to give it to me?

Yes, if the company is registered with the IRS, the EIN is public information and appears in the IRS lookup tool. However, if the business is a sole proprietor or has not yet registered for an EIN, no number may exist. If the company is deliberately hiding a registered EIN, that is unusual and may indicate a problem—contact the IRS if you suspect fraud.

What if the company gave me an EIN but it does not match the IRS lookup tool?

Double-check that you entered the company's legal name correctly in the search tool. If it still does not match, the EIN may be very new (it can take weeks to appear in the public database), or the company may have given you an incorrect number. Ask the company to confirm the number in writing, or contact the IRS with the company's name and address.

Do I need a company's EIN to do business with them?

Not always. You need their EIN if you are filing a 1099 form (for contractors and vendors) or if they ask for it on a W-9. For most other business dealings—buying products, hiring them as a service provider—you do not need their EIN. Ask only if a form or contract requires it.

Is the EIN the same as the company's tax ID number?

For federal tax purposes, yes. The EIN is the company's federal tax ID. States also issue separate tax ID numbers for state income tax and unemployment insurance, but when someone asks for "tax ID" without specifying state or federal, they usually mean the EIN.

What if a company has multiple EINs?

A single business entity should have only one EIN. If a company has multiple divisions or subsidiaries, each may have its own EIN if they are registered as separate legal entities. If you are unsure which EIN to use, ask the company which one applies to your specific transaction or contract.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.