The Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique nine-digit number assigned to business entities by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This number functions as a federal tax ID for a business, similar to a Social Security Number for an individual. Businesses require an EIN for functions such as filing federal tax returns, opening business bank accounts, and establishing payroll.
Understanding the EIN and Its Privacy
Locating a company’s EIN is complicated by federal privacy statutes that govern taxpayer information. Internal Revenue Code Section 6103 mandates that tax returns and return information are confidential, and this protection extends to the business’s EIN. The IRS does not maintain a single, publicly searchable database where unauthorized parties can retrieve the number.
Third parties must therefore rely on indirect methods, searching public documents where the EIN is legally required to appear. This directs the search away from official government portals and toward regulatory filings. For the business owner or an authorized agent, however, the retrieval process is much more straightforward.
Direct Retrieval Methods for Authorized Parties
Business owners who have misplaced their EIN can retrieve it by accessing existing records or contacting the IRS directly. The easiest method is checking documents where the number is already recorded, such as the original EIN Assignment Notice (Form SS-4 confirmation letter). This official notification is issued by the IRS when the number is first assigned and should be kept with other important business records.
The nine-digit identifier is also often found on prior federal tax returns, business loan applications, or paperwork used to open a company bank account. If these records are unavailable, an authorized party can call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line. After verifying the requester’s identity as a principal officer, the IRS representative can provide the number over the phone. The IRS can also mail a copy of the EIN Assignment Letter if a hard copy is needed, but they generally cannot provide a copy of the original Form SS-4 application itself.
Searching Public Tax and Securities Filings
The most reliable methods for a third party to locate an EIN involve searching publicly mandated financial disclosure forms. Certain organizations are legally required to make filings that include their EIN readily accessible to the public. These mandatory disclosures create the primary pathway for non-authorized individuals to find the number.
Tax-Exempt Organizations (Form 990)
Tax-exempt organizations, such as charities and private foundations, must file an annual information return with the IRS, typically using Form 990. The EIN is prominently displayed on this form, and the organization is obligated to make it available upon request. Forms 990 can be searched for free through the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool or third-party platforms like Guidestar.
Publicly Traded Corporations (SEC Filings)
Publicly traded corporations must use their EIN on all documents submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). An individual can search the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) database by company name or ticker symbol. The EIN is typically found on major corporate reports like the annual Form 10-K or quarterly Form 10-Q.
Utilizing State Records and Business Credit Reports
While federal filings offer a direct path for certain entities, finding the EIN for other companies often requires searching state-level records or commercial data services. State Secretary of State (SOS) offices maintain public databases of registered business entities. However, they typically assign a state-specific entity ID number rather than consistently displaying the federal EIN. Some states may include the EIN on initial incorporation documents, but this practice varies widely, making it an inconsistent search method.
Commercial data services aggregate business information that is difficult to find publicly. Agencies like Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) assign a unique nine-digit Data Universal Numbering System (D-U-N-S) number to businesses for tracking creditworthiness and business identity. D&B business profiles typically include the company’s EIN. While the D-U-N-S number is free to obtain, accessing the full credit report containing the EIN usually requires a paid subscription.
Other public records, such as Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statements, are filed with the state to announce a security interest in a debtor’s assets. The debtor entity’s full legal identity, which often includes the EIN, may be present in the associated documentation.
Alternative Verification Methods When the EIN is Unavailable
If direct and indirect search methods fail, users can verify a company’s identity or legitimacy through alternative means. If a business plans to make payments to the company, they are entitled to request a completed IRS Form W-9. This form legally requires the recipient to provide their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), which for most business entities is the EIN.
Businesses that regularly pay vendors and contractors can use the IRS TIN Matching program. This free, web-based tool is available to registered payers who file information returns like Form 1099. The service verifies that a supplied name and TIN combination matches IRS records, confirming the number’s validity without disclosing the number directly. Checking the company’s status through the state’s Secretary of State database can also confirm if the business is active and in good standing.