An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a free federal tax ID from the IRS, required to open a business bank account, hire employees, or file business taxes. Apply free at IRS.gov; the online assistant issues the number immediately (available Mon–Fri 6am–1am, plus weekend windows, ET). A single-member LLC with no employees can technically use the owner's SSN, but an EIN keeps your SSN private. Third-party services charge for what the IRS provides at no cost.
Once your LLC is formed, one of your first tasks is getting an Employer Identification Number (EIN): also called a Federal Tax ID. It's a 9-digit number the IRS assigns to your business, and without it you can't open a business bank account, hire employees, or file most business tax returns.
The good news: getting an EIN is free if you apply directly through the IRS. Here's exactly how to do it. And when it makes sense to use a filing service instead.
What Is an EIN?
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your business's federal tax identification number. Think of it as a Social Security Number for your LLC. The IRS uses it to track your business's tax filings, and banks and government agencies use it to verify your business identity.
Despite the name, you don't need to have employees to get an EIN. Any LLC, even a single-member LLC with no employees, benefits from having one.
Who Needs an EIN?
You must get an EIN if your LLC:
- Has two or more members
- Has or plans to hire employees
- Is taxed as a corporation or S-Corp
- Has a Keogh plan (a type of retirement account)
- Is involved in certain types of trusts, estates, or nonprofits
You should get an EIN even if not technically required if your LLC:
- Needs to open a business bank account (almost all banks require one)
- Will apply for business credit or loans
- Wants to avoid using a Social Security Number on vendor and client forms (reducing identity theft risk)
- Plans to hire contractors who need a 1099
Using your SSN instead of an EIN means putting your Social Security Number on W-9 forms, vendor applications, and contractor agreements. Documents that get shared widely. An EIN keeps your SSN private.
How to Get an EIN Free from the IRS
The IRS offers a free online EIN application at irs.gov. Here's what to know:
- The online application is available Monday–Friday 6am–1am, Saturday 6am–9pm, and Sunday 6pm–midnight Eastern time
- You must have a valid SSN or ITIN to apply as the responsible party
- You'll receive your EIN immediately upon completing the application
- You can only apply for one EIN per responsible party per day
- Foreign applicants without an SSN must apply by phone, fax, or mail using IRS Form SS-4
Step-by-Step IRS Online Application
- 1
Go to the IRS EIN Assistant
Navigate to the IRS EIN online application. Select "Limited Liability Company" as your business type.
- 2
Enter Your LLC Details
Provide your LLC's legal name exactly as it appears on your Wisconsin Articles of Organization, your principal business address, and the state where you formed your LLC (Wisconsin).
- 3
Identify the Responsible Party
The "responsible party" is the individual who controls the entity. Typically the LLC's owner. You'll provide their name and SSN or ITIN. This information is not made public.
- 4
Select Your Reason for Applying
Choose "Started a new business" for a newly formed LLC. If this is for a different reason (hiring employees, banking, etc.), select the appropriate option.
- 5
Receive Your EIN Immediately
After submitting, the IRS displays your EIN on screen. Save it. Download or print the confirmation page. You can also request a confirmation letter (CP 575) by mail, which arrives in 4–5 weeks.
Using a Filing Service (and When It Makes Sense)
If you'd rather not navigate the IRS website, or if you want your EIN handled alongside the rest of your LLC formation paperwork, a filing service like Anchor Filings can obtain your EIN for you. We prepare IRS Form SS-4, submit it on your behalf, and deliver your EIN directly to your secure client portal.
Our EIN service is $59. For many business owners bundling LLC formation with EIN and registered agent, it's cleaner to have everything handled in one place and delivered to one dashboard.
Get Your EIN. We Handle the IRS
Anchor Filings prepares and files your SS-4 with the IRS and delivers your EIN to your client portal. Bundle with LLC formation and save.
Add EIN Filing · $59Or bundle with LLC Formation starting at $159
After You Get Your EIN
Once you have your EIN, you can:
- Open a business bank account: bring your EIN letter, Articles of Organization, and operating agreement to the bank
- Apply for business credit: lenders and credit card companies will ask for your EIN
- Set up payroll: if you have employees, register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for state withholding and with the IRS for federal employment taxes (Forms 941/940)
- File taxes: your EIN is used on all federal and state business tax filings
- Complete W-9 forms: use your EIN instead of your SSN when clients ask for tax identification
Third-party sites charge $50–$300 for an EIN that the IRS provides free. You only need to apply at irs.gov. If you want a service to handle it, use a reputable one like Anchor Filings. Not an unknown site that appeared in a search ad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not strictly required by the IRS if you have no employees and don't elect corporate taxation. You can use your SSN. But in practice, every LLC should get an EIN. Banks require it to open a business account, and it keeps your SSN off of W-9s and vendor forms.
If you apply online through the IRS, you receive your EIN immediately after completing the application. Fax applications take about 4 business days. Mail applications take 4–6 weeks.
Technically yes, but it's better to wait until your LLC is officially formed, since you'll need the exact legal name as it appears on your Articles of Organization.
Yes. EIN (Employer Identification Number), Federal Tax ID Number, and FTIN all refer to the same thing, the 9-digit number the IRS assigns to your business entity.
Each business entity gets its own EIN. Your new LLC needs its own EIN. You cannot reuse the EIN from a different business entity, even if you were the sole owner of both.
