EIN Guide — Federal Tax ID for Your Texas Business

What Is an EIN?

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your business's federal tax ID — the equivalent of a Social Security Number for your company. It is issued by the IRS at no cost.

You need an EIN to:

Open a business bank account
File federal taxes
Hire employees
Apply for business licenses
Register on SAM.gov for government contracts

Who Needs an EIN?

You need an EIN if your LLC has:

More than one member, or
Any employees, or
Is taxed as a corporation, or
You want one for banking and professional purposes (recommended for all single-member LLCs too)

Bottom line: Get an EIN for any real business. It takes 15 minutes and costs nothing.

Before You Start

Have the following ready:

Your LLC name exactly as filed
Your Texas file number (from the Certificate of Formation)
Your personal Social Security Number (required to verify your identity as the responsible party)
Your business address
Your LLC's start date

Step 1: Go to the IRS EIN Online Application

The IRS online application is the fastest method — you receive your EIN immediately.

Go to IRS EIN Online Application
Select "Apply Online Now"
Available Monday–Friday, 7am–10pm Eastern time

Important: Only use the official IRS website (irs.gov). There are many third-party sites that charge $50–$300 for this free service.

Step 2: Select Your Entity Type

When prompted:

Select "Limited Liability Company (LLC)"
Enter the number of members (1 for single-member, or the actual number)
Select your state: Texas

Step 3: Select the Reason You're Applying

Common selections:

Started a new business — most common for new LLCs
Banking purposes — also valid and common

Step 4: Enter Your Business Information

You will enter:

LLC name (exactly as filed)
Business address
County
Start date
Principal activity of your business
Number of employees expected (enter 0 if none)

Step 5: Confirm and Submit

Review everything before submitting. Once submitted, the EIN is assigned immediately and displayed on screen.

Immediately:

Print or save the confirmation page as a PDF
Note your EIN number separately

Step 6: Download Your EIN Letter

Within a few weeks, the IRS will mail a CP 575 notice to your business address. This is your official EIN confirmation letter.

You will need this letter when:

Opening a business bank account
Applying for business licenses
Completing some government registrations

If you lose your EIN: Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933 to request a 147c letter, which serves the same purpose.

Alternative Methods (if online is unavailable)

Fax: IRS Form SS-4, fax to 855-641-6935. You receive your EIN within 4 business days.

Mail: Send Form SS-4 to the appropriate IRS address. Takes 4–5 weeks.

Phone: Call 1-800-829-4933 during business hours.

Common Questions

Can I use my SSN instead of an EIN? Technically yes for a single-member LLC with no employees. But using your SSN for business puts it at unnecessary risk. Get the EIN.

Does getting an EIN mean I'm enrolled in payroll taxes? No. Getting an EIN does not automatically enroll you in anything. It's simply an identification number.

How soon after forming my LLC should I get my EIN? The same day or the next day. You need it before you can open a business bank account.

What Comes Next

After getting your EIN:

Open your business bank account
Apply for a Texas Sales Tax Permit if you sell taxable goods or services
Set up basic bookkeeping (QuickBooks, Wave, or spreadsheet)
If pursuing government contracts: SAM.gov registration requires your EIN

Do this live with a guide. In the Open for Business Workshop, we complete your EIN application together during the session. See the workshop →