Where to find a company's tax ID in three minutes

A company's tax ID — formally 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 on the company's website, in their business filings, or by searching the IRS database directly.

The fastest route is usually the company's own website. Look for it in the footer, on the "About Us" page, in annual reports, or in SEC filings if the company is publicly traded. If the company is private and does not publish it online, you can search the IRS Business Tax Number Lookup tool at irsvideos.gov or request it directly from the company.

You do not need permission to find or use a company's EIN — it is public information. The number itself does not expose sensitive data; it is used to identify the business on tax forms, W-2s, and official correspondence.

Key Takeaways

  • An EIN is a nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify a business for tax purposes and is public information.
  • The company's website, annual reports, and SEC filings are the fastest places to locate the EIN.
  • The IRS Business Tax Number Lookup tool lets you search by company name and state if the website does not list it.
  • If you cannot find it online, you can call the company directly and ask for their EIN — they are required to provide it.
  • A company's EIN is different from its state tax ID number, which is issued by your state revenue department.

Search the IRS Business Tax Number Lookup tool

The IRS maintains a searchable database called the Business Tax Number Lookup, available at irsvideos.gov. Enter the company name and the state where it is registered. The tool returns the EIN if the business is registered with the IRS.

This search works best for established businesses that have filed tax returns or other documents with the IRS. Newly formed companies, sole proprietorships that have not yet filed, and very small businesses may not appear in the database when ready. If the search returns no results, the company may not have an EIN yet, or it may operate under a different legal name than the one you searched.

The lookup tool is free and does not require you to log in or provide personal information. Results appear when ready on the same page.

Check the company's website and official documents

Most established companies publish their EIN on their website. Start with the footer, which often lists the company name, address, and tax ID together. Check the "About Us," "Contact Us," or "Investor Relations" pages. For publicly traded companies, the EIN appears in SEC filings, which you can access through the SEC's EDGAR database at sec.gov.

If the company publishes annual reports or 10-K forms, the EIN is usually listed on the cover page or in the business description section. Nonprofit organizations are required to publish their EIN on their Form 990, which is filed with the IRS and often posted on the organization's website or on charity databases like GuideStar.

This method is fastest because you are reading information the company has already made public. It also confirms that the number you find is current and correct.

Ask the company directly

If you cannot find the EIN online, you can contact the company and ask for it. Call the main phone number, email the general inquiries address, or use the contact form on their website. Explain that you need the EIN for business or tax purposes — you do not need to explain why.

Companies are required to provide their EIN when asked. The response may take a few business days if you email, but a phone call to the main office or accounting department usually gets an answer within minutes. Ask for the nine-digit number and confirm the spelling of the company name to make sure you have the right entity.

This method works especially well for small businesses, family-owned companies, and private firms that do not publish the number online.

Understand the difference between federal and state tax IDs

An EIN is a federal tax ID issued by the IRS. Many states also issue their own tax ID numbers, which are different from the EIN and used for state tax filings, unemployment insurance, and sales tax purposes. Do not confuse the two.

If you need a company's state tax ID, contact your state's revenue or taxation department directly. Each state maintains its own database. For example, California's Franchise Tax Board issues state tax IDs, while New York's Department of Taxation and Finance issues theirs. The company's website may list both numbers, or you may need to search your state's business database separately.

When you find an EIN, verify that it matches the company name and state you are researching. An EIN is tied to a specific legal entity, so a company with multiple divisions or subsidiaries may have more than one EIN.

What to do if the company has no EIN

Some businesses do not have an EIN. Sole proprietors who do not hire employees and do not file certain types of tax forms can use their Social Security number instead. Partnerships and corporations must have an EIN, but a very new business may not have received one yet if it has not filed with the IRS.

If you are trying to find an EIN for a business that should have one but does not appear in the IRS database, the business may be operating under a different legal name than you searched. Try searching again with variations of the name, or contact the company and ask what legal name they registered with the IRS.

If the business genuinely does not have an EIN and you need one for a form or document, ask the company whether they use a Social Security number instead, or whether they have applied for an EIN and are waiting for it to be issued.

Why you might need a company's EIN

You may need a company's EIN to complete a tax form, verify a business relationship, check a company's tax status, or confirm that a business is registered and legitimate. Employers use EINs to file W-2s and other payroll documents. Contractors and vendors use them to issue 1099 forms. Banks and financial institutions use them to verify business accounts.

The EIN is public information and sharing it does not expose the company to fraud or identity theft. The number alone cannot be used to access tax accounts, file returns, or conduct transactions — the IRS requires additional authentication for those actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a company's EIN the same as its business license number?

No. An EIN is issued by the IRS for federal tax purposes. A business license number is issued by your city or county and is used for local regulation and permitting. A company can have both, and they are different numbers.

Can I find a company's EIN if it is not listed online?

Yes. Use the IRS Business Tax Number Lookup tool, or call the company and ask for it directly. Companies are required to provide their EIN when asked. If neither method works, the business may not have an EIN, or it may operate under a different legal name.

What if the EIN I found does not match the company name?

An EIN is tied to a specific legal entity name. If the number does not match, you may have found the EIN for a parent company, subsidiary, or a different business with a similar name. Verify the company's legal name on their business registration or articles of incorporation, then search again.

Do I need permission to use a company's EIN?

No. An EIN is public information. You do not need permission to find it or reference it on forms, documents, or for verification purposes. However, you cannot use it to impersonate the company or file false tax documents.

Where do I find a nonprofit's EIN?

Nonprofits file Form 990 with the IRS, which includes the EIN. Search for the organization on GuideStar.org or ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer, or request the Form 990 directly from the organization. Many nonprofits also list their EIN on their website.