How to Find a Company’s EIN

To find a public company's EIN, start by checking SEC filings. For private businesses, it’s usually easiest to review W-2 forms or contact the company directly. Here’s a closer look at each method. 

How to find the EIN of a public company

For publicly traded companies, finding an EIN is straightforward using free government databases. The SEC's EDGAR system provides public access to corporate filings that include EIN information.

First, enter the company name or stock ticker symbol in the search box. The system will display a list of matching entities, but be careful to distinguish between parent companies and subsidiaries, as they may have separate EINs.

Once you've selected the company, you'll see a list of all its SEC filings. The EIN most commonly appears in these documents.

• Form 10-K (annual report): Check the cover page or the first few pages of the filing
• Form 10-Q (quarterly report): Similar to the 10-K, look at the header information
• Form S-1 or S-8 (registration statements): Often include the EIN in the filing header

The EIN on the SEC filing is typically for the parent company or the specific registrant filing the document. If you need the EIN for a particular subsidiary, you may need to check filings specific to that entity or contact the company directly.

How to find the EIN of a private company

Unlike public companies, private businesses aren't typically required to disclose their EIN in centralized databases. 

Below are some other ways to locate a private company's EIN.

• Check your Form W-2. If you're an employee, your annual W-2 form displays your employer's EIN in Box B. 
• Search state government filings. Check your state's business database for license or permit applications.
• Contact the company. As long as you have a legitimate reason for obtaining a company's EIN, you can always try calling them directly for the information. The company's accounting department is often the best place to start, but keep in mind that they're not legally required to provide it to just anyone who asks.

How to find the EIN of a nonprofit

To find a nonprofit's EIN, use the IRS' Tax Exempt Organization Search for registered 501(c)(3) organizations. You can search using several criteria:

• Organization name. Enter the full legal name or a partial name. Be aware that nonprofits sometimes operate under "doing business as" (DBA) names that differ from their legally registered names.
• City and state. If you know where the organization is located, this can help narrow results when common names appear.
• EIN. If you have a partial EIN or want to verify one you've already obtained, you can search by that number.

If the EIN isn't immediately visible in the search results, you can often access the organization's Form 990 filings. Form 990 is the annual information return that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS, and the EIN appears at the top of this form.

Many nonprofit transparency websites also aggregate Form 990 data and make it searchable, such as Guidestar's database. These third-party platforms pull from IRS data and can provide an alternative way to access the same information.

How to find your own business' EIN

If you've lost or misplaced your EIN, there are a number of ways you can look it up:

• EIN confirmation letter. Check your original IRS notice—online applications receive immediate confirmation, while mail or fax applications arrive within four weeks.
• Previous tax filings. Review any filed business tax returns, state business license applications, or IRS correspondence.
• Business bank records. Contact your bank where you opened your business account or obtained loans, as they maintain your EIN on file.

If you've checked your records and even your bank still can't confirm your EIN, the IRS can issue an EIN verification letter to replace your missing confirmation notice. Simply call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. local time with your business information (residents of Alaska and Hawaii should follow Pacific time).

However, only authorized individuals can request an EIN verification letter, such as:

• The business owner or a corporate officer
• A person authorized to receive tax information (designated on IRS Form 8821 or Form 2848)
• An executor of an estate

Why do you need a company's EIN?

Beyond knowing your own business' EIN, you may legitimately need another company's EIN for various business and legal purposes:

• Applying for unemployment benefits. Most states require your former employer's EIN when filing unemployment claims.
• Vetting new vendors. Verify a vendor's legitimacy by confirming their business information matches their EIN records.
• Onboarding business clients. Validate client identity and business status through EIN verification before entering contracts.
• Industry-specific requirements. Insurance companies and financial institutions often need EINs for compliance and reporting purposes.

Still, a company's EIN carries the same sensitivity as an individual's Social Security number. Only request or search for an EIN when you have a legitimate business need.

Other ways to find and verify a business' EIN

In addition to the methods listed above, there are other, fee-based ways to find a business' EIN.

• Business credit reports: Reports from Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, or Equifax that include the company's EIN along with creditworthiness data.
• Legal research databases: Services like LexisNexis or Westlaw that maintain comprehensive business records, including EINs and corporate filings.
• Specialized EIN lookup services: Dedicated EIN search platforms that aggregate public records for instant verification (fees typically range from $10–$50 per search).

The method for finding a company's EIN depends on whether it's publicly traded, nonprofit, or private. With a legitimate business reason, the process is straightforward—often as simple as calling the company's accounting department.

How to change or remove an employer identification number

Your EIN is permanent, but you'll need a new one if your business undergoes significant structural changes. The following situations require obtaining a new EIN:

• Your ownership or structure changes (i.e., you start as a sole proprietorship, but then decide to incorporate)
• Your sole proprietorship is subject to bankruptcy proceedings
• You form a new single-member LLC that opts to be taxed as an S corp
• You inherit or acquire an existing business
• You become a subsidiary of a corporation
• You are a corporation and receive a new charter from your Secretary of State

To get a new federal tax ID number, you will have to restart the EIN application process. You can complete an online application or use an EIN service to stay compliant.

How to cancel an EIN

To cancel your EIN, send a letter to the IRS at: