Is a Company’s EIN Public Information?

Getting an Employer Identification Number (EIN) is one of the first steps you should take when beginning a business in the US. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) uses this particular nine-digit number to uniquely identify your company for tax purposes. Many business owners are unsure if the public may see their EIN. The quick response is that it is not.

EINs are not normally regarded as public information, in contrast to several other categories of business data, such as business names and addresses. They are not included in public databases or directories, and the IRS does not disclose EIN information to the general public. There are a few exceptions to this rule, though.

When a business submits an application for a particular license or permission, for example, the EIN may be made public. Your EIN might be requested as part of the application process if you apply for a building permit or a liquor license, for instance. If the license or permit information is made public in these circumstances, it’s possible that your EIN will be disclosed.

There are various solutions open to you if you need to get an EIN quickly. Using the IRS website to submit an online application is the quickest way to obtain an EIN. It usually only takes a few minutes to complete the online application, and you will get your EIN right away. Although it takes longer, you can also apply for an EIN by mail or over the phone.

You can get in touch with the IRS directly to verify the validity of your EIN. Your business name and EIN number must be provided, and the IRS can verify the information on your behalf. Your EIN should be current and in good standing as it is required for a lot of tax-related transactions. Once you have an EIN, you can use it as long as your firm is in operation because EINs never expire. However, you might need to register for a new EIN if your firm goes through specific modifications, like changing its organizational structure or adding new owners.

There are various ways to locate your Employer Identification Number if necessary. The simplest method is to review any tax-related correspondence you have received from the IRS, such as notices or prior tax returns. These documents will include a listing of your EIN. You can also examine any documentation you received when you initially obtained your EIN, or you can directly contact the IRS to request your EIN.

In conclusion, even though EINs aren’t generally regarded as being public knowledge, there are several circumstances in which it might be. Applying online on the IRS website is the quickest approach to get an EIN if you need one immediately. Get in touch with the IRS immediately to verify the validity of your EIN. Although EIN numbers never expire, you might need to apply for a new one if any changes take place in your company. Finally, you can examine any tax paperwork you have received from the IRS or ask them directly for help in order to locate your EIN.