Step By Step Guide How To Easily Find And Verify Your Federal Tax Id Number

Your Federal Tax Identification Number (also known as an Employer Identification Number or EIN) is essential for tax reporting, opening business bank accounts, applying for licenses, and more. Whether you're a sole proprietor, LLC owner, or nonprofit director, knowing how to locate and verify your EIN is a foundational administrative task. Unlike Social Security Numbers, EINs are public record in many cases—but that doesn’t mean finding yours is always straightforward. This guide walks you through every practical method to retrieve and validate your EIN with confidence.

What Is a Federal Tax ID Number?

The Federal Tax ID Number, issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), uniquely identifies your business entity for tax purposes. While individuals use Social Security Numbers (SSNs), businesses typically use an EIN. Even if you’re a sole proprietor without employees, you may still need one to separate personal and business finances.

EINs follow a standard format: XX-XXXXXXX (two digits, a hyphen, then seven digits). They are assigned upon application and never expire. The IRS does not charge for issuing an EIN, and the process is free via their official website.

“An EIN is as crucial to your business as a driver’s license is to operating a vehicle—it establishes legitimacy and enables compliance.” — Lisa Nguyen, CPA and Small Business Advisor

Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Your EIN

If you’ve misplaced your EIN, don’t panic. There are several reliable ways to recover it. Follow this timeline-based approach for the best results.

1. Check Your IRS Confirmation Letter (CP 575)
   When you originally applied for your EIN, the IRS mailed a CP 575 letter confirming your number. This is the most authoritative source. Look in your business records, tax folders, or old email archives if you applied online.
2. Review Previous Tax Returns
   Your EIN appears on all federal tax filings, including Form 1120 (corporations), Form 1065 (partnerships), or Schedule C attached to your personal return (sole proprietors). Flip through the last few years’ returns—it’s usually near the top of the first page.
3. Check Bank Account Documents
   When opening a business bank account, you were required to provide your EIN. Review your account agreement, signature card, or welcome packet from the bank. Many institutions list the EIN on monthly statements or online banking portals under “business profile.”
4. Contact Your Accountant or Tax Preparer
   If you work with a CPA or enrolled agent, they likely have your EIN on file. A quick call or email can save hours of searching. Always verify any number they provide using official IRS tools.
5. Search Loan or Credit Applications
   Business loans, credit lines, or merchant service agreements often require an EIN. Pull old applications or approval letters—you’ll frequently find it listed alongside other identifying information.

Tip: Store your EIN in a secure digital vault or encrypted document with other key business IDs like state tax numbers and DUNS codes.

How to Verify Your EIN Is Correct

Finding a number isn’t enough—you must confirm it’s accurate and active. Submitting incorrect EINs to banks, clients, or government agencies can delay payments or trigger compliance flags.

The IRS does not offer a public EIN lookup tool for privacy reasons, but there are approved verification methods:

• Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line: Dial 800-829-4933 during business hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time). You’ll need to answer security questions about your business (legal name, address, responsible party SSN).
• Use IRS TEIN Search (for certain entities): Nonprofits can verify status—and by extension, EIN validity—via the Tax Exempt Organization Search tool. If your organization appears, the EIN listed is confirmed.
• Cross-reference with Financial Institutions: Call your bank and ask them to confirm the EIN on file matches what you’ve recovered. They cannot give out EINs over the phone for security, but they can verify one you provide.

Method	Speed	Reliability	Best For
IRS CP 575 Letter	Instant (if found)	★★★★★	Original applicants
Past Tax Returns	Fast	★★★★☆	All filers
Bank Records	Medium	★★★★☆	Active business accounts
IRS Phone Verification	Slow (wait times)	★★★★★	Final confirmation
Accountant Records	Fast	★★★★☆	Outsourced bookkeeping

Real Example: Recovering a Lost EIN After Company Rebranding

Samantha launched “Urban Bloom Design” as an LLC in 2018 and received her EIN then. Five years later, after rebranding to “Bloom Collective,” she needed the number to apply for a small business grant. She no longer had the original documents, and her old accountant had retired.

She started by checking her 2022 corporate tax return—her CPA had filed Form 1120, and the EIN was clearly printed in the header. To verify, she called the IRS line, provided her name, former business name, and mailing address, and confirmed the number matched. With the verified EIN, she completed the grant application within 48 hours.

This case shows that even when records are lost due to time or reorganization, standard financial and tax documents serve as reliable backups.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many people waste time or compromise security when trying to retrieve their EIN. Steer clear of these pitfalls:

• Using third-party websites that charge fees: Sites like “EIN-lookup.com” or “fedidnumber.org” are not affiliated with the IRS and often charge $50+ for a number you can get for free.
• Assuming your SSN is your EIN: Sole proprietors sometimes use their SSN for tax filing, but having an EIN offers better identity protection and professionalism.
• Sharing your EIN publicly: While some EINs appear in public filings, avoid posting yours on websites, social media, or unsecured forms. It can be used for fraudulent business registrations.
• Not verifying the number before use: A single digit error can cause rejected tax filings or delayed payroll processing.

Tip: Never include your EIN in email signatures or public-facing vendor profiles unless absolutely necessary and encrypted.

When You Need to Apply for a New EIN

You generally keep the same EIN for the life of your business. However, the IRS requires a new number in specific legal changes:

• You’ve incorporated a sole proprietorship
• Formed a partnership from a sole ownership
• Created a new corporation or LLC
• Acquired an existing business and operate it as a sole proprietorship
• Experienced a bankruptcy

If your structure hasn’t changed, you do not need a new EIN—even if you’ve changed your business name or location. Simply file a change of address or name update with the IRS using Form 8822-B.

FAQ

Can I find my EIN online for free?

Yes, but only through official channels. You can retrieve it via your IRS confirmation letter, past tax returns, or by calling the IRS directly. Avoid commercial sites that charge for this information.

Is my EIN the same as a tax ID for state purposes?

No. Your federal EIN is separate from state-issued tax IDs (like a sales tax permit or employer withholding number). States issue their own identifiers for state-level reporting.

What if I never received my CP 575 letter?

If you applied and didn’t get the letter, contact the IRS at 800-829-4933. You can also reference your online application confirmation (if e-applied) or check supporting documents like bank records.

Final Checklist: Find and Verify Your EIN in One Hour

1. Search physical or digital files for IRS Form CP 575
2. Open your most recent federal tax return and locate the EIN
3. Log into your business bank account and check account details
4. Call your accountant or bookkeeper for confirmation
5. Dial the IRS at 800-829-4933 to verify the number (have business details ready)
6. Update your secure records with the verified EIN

Take Control of Your Business Identity

Your Federal Tax ID Number is more than a formality—it’s a cornerstone of your business’s financial identity. Knowing exactly where to find it and how to verify its accuracy prevents delays, protects against fraud, and streamlines interactions with banks, vendors, and government agencies. By following the steps outlined here, you can recover and confirm your EIN efficiently, even years after initial registration. Don’t wait until a deadline looms—secure your business documentation today and operate with confidence.

🚀 Need your EIN fast? Start with your tax return or bank documents—chances are, it’s closer than you think. Share this guide with fellow entrepreneurs who’ve ever asked, “Where did I put that number?”