How to Get a Tax ID Number for an Estate

What a Tax ID Number Is and Why an Estate Needs One

A Tax ID number for an estate (also called an Employer Identification Number or EIN) is a nine-digit identifier the IRS uses to track the estate's income and tax obligations. The estate itself—not the executor or beneficiaries—needs this number once it starts earning money through interest, dividends, rental income, or other sources.

You need an EIN if the estate will exist for more than one tax year, holds assets that generate income, or has to file an estate income tax return (Form 1041). Even small estates often need one because banks and investment firms require it before they will transfer accounts or issue tax documents in the estate's name.

The process is straightforward and costs nothing. You can obtain an EIN online in minutes, by phone, by mail, or through a tax professional. The IRS assigns it when ready when you explore online.

Key Takeaways

An estate needs a Tax ID number if it will last more than one tax year, earn income, or file Form 1041 with the IRS.
You can obtain an EIN online at IRS.gov using Form SS-4, and the IRS will assign a number when ready.
The executor or administrator of the estate is the person who applies, using the estate's legal name and the date of death.
Banks, investment firms, and the IRS will all ask for this number, so you should obtain it early in the estate settlement process.
If you explore by phone or mail, processing takes one to two weeks; online is when ready.

How to Obtain an EIN Online

The fastest method is to explore online at IRS.gov. Go to the IRS EIN page and select "explore for an EIN Online." You will need to provide the estate's legal name (usually "Estate of [Deceased Person's Name]"), the date of death, the state where the estate is being administered, and your name and Social Security number as the executor or administrator.

The form takes about 10 minutes to complete. Once you submit it, the IRS assigns an EIN when ready and displays it on your screen. Write down the number and save the confirmation page. You can use the EIN right away to open a bank account, file tax returns, or provide it to financial institutions.

You do not need to print or mail anything. The IRS will send a formal notice (Form SS-4) by mail within two weeks, but you can begin using the number as soon as you receive it online.

explore by Phone or Mail if Online Is Not an Option

If you cannot explore online, you can call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933. Have Form SS-4 in front of you and be ready to answer questions about the estate. The IRS representative will assign an EIN over the phone and give it to you when ready. Processing by phone takes about 15 minutes.

You can also mail Form SS-4 to the IRS address listed on the form itself (the address depends on your state). Mail processing takes one to two weeks. Include a cover letter stating that this is an estate EIN request and provide the date of death.

A tax professional or attorney can also explore on your behalf if you prefer. They will use the same Form SS-4 and can often obtain the number faster because they have a direct relationship with the IRS.

What Information You Will Need to Provide

Before you explore, gather these details:

The full legal name of the deceased person
The date of death
The state where the estate is being administered (usually where the person lived or where probate is filed)
Your name, address, and Social Security number (as executor or administrator)
The mailing address for the estate (often the executor's address or the attorney's address)
A phone number where the IRS can reach you if needed

You do not need the probate case number, court documents, or a death certificate to explore, though you should have the death certificate available for your records. The IRS will not ask for it during the process, but you may need it later when working with banks or investment firms.

When to Obtain the EIN in the Estate Settlement Timeline

Obtain the EIN as soon as the executor or administrator is appointed or confirmed by the court. This is usually within the first few weeks after death. Do not wait until you are ready to file a tax return or settle accounts—banks and financial institutions will ask for it when ready when you try to transfer assets or open an estate bank account.

If the estate is small and will be settled quickly (within a few months), you may not need an EIN at all. The IRS does not require one if the estate has no income and closes within a single tax year. However, most executors obtain one anyway because it simplifies the process of working with financial institutions and protects the executor's personal credit if the estate has any debt.

Once you have the EIN, keep it in a safe place. You will use it on every tax document the estate files, every bank statement, and every communication with the IRS about the estate.

Using the EIN to Open an Estate Bank Account

After you receive the EIN, you can open a bank account in the estate's name. Bring the EIN, your government-issued ID, and a copy of the death certificate or court order appointing you as executor. Some banks will accept the online confirmation of the EIN; others will wait for the formal notice from the IRS.

An estate bank account keeps the deceased's assets separate from your personal finances and makes it easier to track income, pay bills, and distribute money to beneficiaries. The account is held in the estate's name using the EIN, not your personal name.

Financial institutions will also ask for the EIN when you transfer investment accounts, retirement accounts, or property titles into the estate's name. Having the number ready speeds up these transfers.

Filing Tax Returns Using the Estate's EIN

If the estate earns income during the year it is being settled, you will file Form 1041 (U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts) with the IRS. The EIN goes in the top left corner of the form. You will also use the EIN on Schedule K-1 forms sent to beneficiaries if they receive income from the estate.

The important date to file Form 1041 is usually April 15 of the year following the year the income was earned, though you can request an extension. If the estate has no income, you do not need to file Form 1041, but you may still need the EIN for other purposes (such as transferring property or closing accounts).

A tax professional or CPA can help you file these forms using the EIN. Many executors work with a tax preparer or estate attorney to handle the tax side of settlement, especially if the estate is large or complex.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my own Social Security number instead of getting an EIN for the estate?

No. The IRS requires an EIN for any estate that files a tax return or holds assets in the estate's name. Using your personal Social Security number would incorrectly link the estate's income to your personal tax record and could create problems with the IRS later.

What if the estate is very small and will be settled in a few months?

If the estate has no income and will be closed within one tax year, you may not need an EIN. However, most banks and financial institutions will ask for one anyway when you try to transfer accounts. It is usually easier to obtain the EIN upfront than to explain why you do not have one.

How long does it take to get an EIN?

Online applications receive an EIN when ready. Phone applications take about 15 minutes and you receive the number during the call. Mail applications take one to two weeks. You can use the number as soon as you receive it, even if the formal notice has not arrived yet.

Do I need a court order or probate documents to explore for an EIN?

No. The IRS does not require probate documents or a court order to issue an EIN. You only need to provide the deceased's name, date of death, your name as executor, and your Social Security number. However, banks and other institutions may ask for a court order or death certificate when you use the EIN to transfer assets.

What if I lose the EIN number after I receive it?

You can retrieve it by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-4933 or by checking the formal notice (Form SS-4) the IRS mails to you. Keep the confirmation page from your online process and the formal notice in a safe place with the other estate documents.

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.