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

A company's tax ID number—officially called an Employer Identification Number (EIN)—is a nine-digit code the IRS assigns to businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations. You can find it in three main places: the company's official documents, the IRS public database, or by contacting the company directly.

The fastest route is usually the company's website. Most businesses list their EIN on their "About Us" page, in their annual reports, or in their corporate filings. If the company is publicly traded, you'll find it in SEC filings. For nonprofits, the EIN is public record and searchable online.

If the website doesn't have it, the IRS maintains a free search tool called the Tax Exempt Organization Search, which works for nonprofits and tax-exempt organizations. For other business types, you may need to search state business records or ask the company directly.

Key Takeaways

  • An EIN is a nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify a business, nonprofit, or other organization for tax purposes.
  • Most companies publish their EIN on their website, in annual reports, or in SEC filings if they are publicly traded.
  • The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search is free and searchable online for nonprofits and tax-exempt organizations.
  • State business databases and the Secretary of State's office maintain EIN records for corporations registered in that state.
  • If you cannot find the EIN online, you can contact the company's accounting or human resources department and ask for it directly.

Check the company's official documents first

The easiest place to look is the company's own paperwork. If you work there or do business with them, check your W-2 form, 1099 form, or any invoice from the company—the EIN is printed on all of these. It appears as a nine-digit number in the format XX-XXXXXXX.

For publicly traded companies, search the SEC EDGAR database at sec.gov. Type the company name into the search box, then open any 10-K annual report or 10-Q quarterly filing. The EIN is listed near the top of the document under "IRS Employer Identification Number."

If the company publishes an annual report or sustainability report, the EIN is often listed in the corporate information section at the back. Many companies also print it on their official letterhead or in the footer of their website.

Search the IRS Tax Exempt Organization database

If the company is a nonprofit, charity, foundation, or other tax-exempt organization, use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at irs.gov/charities-non-profits. This is a free, public database that includes the organization's name, city, state, EIN, and tax-exempt status.

Type the organization's name into the search box. If multiple organizations have similar names, the results will show their city and state to help you identify the right one. Click on the organization's name to view its full profile, which includes the EIN prominently displayed.

This database is updated regularly and is the official source for nonprofit information. The EIN you find here is the same number the organization uses on all tax filings and official documents.

Look up the company in your state's business records

Every state maintains a database of registered businesses, usually through the Secretary of State's office. These databases are free and searchable online. Search your state's name plus "Secretary of State business search" to find the right database for your state.

Type the company name into the search box. The results will show the company's legal name, address, and often the EIN. Some states display the EIN directly in the search results; others require you to open the company's full filing to see it.

This method works best if you know which state the company is incorporated in. If you don't, start with the state where the company's headquarters is located. If the company operates in multiple states, it may be registered in more than one, so you may need to search more than one state database.

Contact the company directly

If you've checked the company's website, SEC filings, and state records without success, call or email the company and ask for the EIN. Contact the accounting department, human resources department, or the main business line and explain that you need the company's tax ID number.

Most companies will provide this information without hesitation, since the EIN is not confidential and is already public record for many organization types. Have the company's legal name ready when you call, in case they ask which entity you're asking about—large corporations sometimes have multiple subsidiaries with different EINs.

If you're a vendor, contractor, or job applicant, you may also find the EIN in the company's W-9 form, which they are required to provide to anyone they pay. Ask the company to send you a copy of their W-9 if you need the EIN for tax reporting purposes.

Understand what an EIN is used for

An EIN is the business equivalent of a Social Security number. The IRS uses it to track a company's tax filings, payroll records, and other financial information. Banks use it to open business accounts. Employers use it to report employee wages on W-2 forms.

If you need a company's EIN, it's usually because you're filing taxes, setting up a business relationship, or verifying the company's legitimacy. The EIN is public information for nonprofits and tax-exempt organizations, but for private businesses, the company itself must provide it to you—you cannot look it up in a public database.

The EIN never changes, even if the company changes its name, location, or ownership structure. If a company merges with another company or is acquired, the surviving entity keeps its original EIN.

What to do if you cannot find the EIN

If the company is very small, newly formed, or operates informally, it may not have an EIN yet. Some sole proprietors and partnerships use their personal Social Security number instead of explore for an EIN. In these cases, you may need to ask the owner directly whether they have an EIN or use their SSN for tax purposes.

If the company is defunct or no longer in business, the EIN may no longer appear in active databases, but it will still be on file with the IRS. You can contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-4933 to ask about a closed business, though they may not release information about a business you don't own or work for.

If you're trying to verify that a company is legitimate before doing business with it, finding an active EIN in the IRS or state databases is a good sign. If you cannot find any record of the company after checking multiple sources, that's a red flag that the business may not be registered or may be operating under a false name.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. An EIN is assigned by the federal IRS for tax purposes. A business license number is issued by your city or county and is used for local regulation. A company can have both, and they are different numbers. The EIN is nine digits; a business license number varies by location.

Can I look up a private company's EIN in a public database?

Not usually. The IRS does not publish a searchable database of private business EINs. You can find EINs for nonprofits and tax-exempt organizations in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, but for private companies, you must ask the company directly or find it in documents they've given you.

What if a company gives me a different EIN than the one I found online?

Ask which EIN is current. Large companies sometimes have multiple EINs for different subsidiaries or divisions. The company should clarify which number applies to your situation. If the numbers don't match and the company cannot explain why, contact the IRS to verify which EIN is registered to that business name.

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

You need it if you're paying them and reporting the payment to the IRS on a 1099 form, or if you're verifying their tax status. For most other business purposes—ordering products, hiring them as a contractor, or checking their reputation—you don't need the EIN. The company will provide it if it's required for your transaction.

How do I know if an EIN I found is still active?

For nonprofits, check the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. If the organization appears there, the EIN is active. For private businesses, you can verify the EIN by checking state business records or by contacting the company directly. The IRS does not publish a list of active private business EINs.