Finding a tax ID isn't exactly anyone's idea of a fun Tuesday. Honestly, it usually happens when you’re in the middle of something else—onboarding a new vendor, trying to verify a client, or maybe just cleaning up your own messy accounting records. You need those nine digits, and you need them now. But here is the thing: there isn't one "magic button" on the IRS website that spits out every company's private info.
If you're trying to figure out how to find EIN number of a company, you've basically got to play detective. The strategy changes depending on whether the business is a giant like Apple, a local nonprofit, or a tiny LLC down the street. It’s a mix of public records, savvy searching, and sometimes, just asking nicely.
The Low-Hanging Fruit: Publicly Traded Companies
If the business you’re looking into is big enough to be on the stock market, you are in luck. These guys have to tell the government almost everything. Publicly traded companies are required to file regular reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Basically, you’re going to use the EDGAR database. It sounds like a guy from accounting, but it’s actually the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system.
- Go to the SEC website and find the EDGAR search tool.
- Type in the company name.
- Look for their most recent Form 10-K (the annual report) or Form 10-Q (quarterly report).
- Open the filing. Usually, right there on the very first page, often in the top right or header area, you’ll see "IRS Employer Identification No." followed by the digits.
It’s free, it’s official, and it takes about three minutes if your Wi-Fi is behaving.
Nonprofits and Charities: The IRS Transparency Rule
Nonprofits are a different beast. Because they have tax-exempt status, they have to be pretty open about their finances. This is great for you because it makes finding their EIN incredibly simple.
You’ll want to head over to the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) tool. You just plug in the name of the charity, and it should pull up their records. Usually, you’re looking for their Form 990. This is the tax return that nonprofits file. The EIN is splashed across the top of that form.
If the IRS site is being clunky—which, let's be real, happens—you can use third-party sites like Guidestar or ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer. They scrape the same data but often have a much better user interface.
The "Hard Mode" Search: Private Companies and Small Businesses
Now, this is where it gets kinda tricky. Private companies don't have to tell the SEC anything, and they aren't filing public Form 990s. If you need to find an EIN for a private company, you have to look for where they might have left a paper trail.
1. Check State-Level Filings
Most people think the EIN is a state thing. It's not; it's federal. However, many states require businesses to include their federal EIN on certain registration documents or applications for local licenses.
Go to the Secretary of State (SOS) website for whatever state the business is registered in. Look for an "Entity Search" or "Business Search." While the basic summary page might not show the EIN (to prevent identity theft), sometimes the scanned PDFs of their original Articles of Incorporation or annual reports do. Note that some states, like Texas or Delaware, might charge you a small fee—usually five to twenty bucks—to see the full documents.
2. Business Credit Reports
If you’re doing serious due diligence, you might just want to pay for a report. Companies like Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, or Equifax keep massive databases on businesses. When you buy a credit report for a company, the EIN is almost always included as part of their basic identification. It's a "pay-to-play" move, but it saves hours of digging.
3. The "Direct Approach" (W-9 Request)
Honestly? Sometimes the best way to get the number is to just ask for it. If you have a legitimate business reason—like you’re going to pay them more than $600 and need to issue a 1099 later—send them a request for a Form W-9.
A W-9 is the standard IRS form used to request a person or company’s taxpayer identification number. Most legitimate businesses have a pre-signed W-9 ready to go in a PDF because they get asked for it all the time.
Pro Tip: If a vendor refuses to give you their EIN for a W-9, you might legally be required to perform "backup withholding," which means taking 24% off their payment and sending it straight to the IRS. That usually gets them to send the number pretty quickly.
Finding Your Own Company's EIN
Maybe you aren't stalking a competitor; maybe you just lost your own paperwork. It happens to the best of us. If you’ve misplaced those nine digits, don't panic.
- The Confirmation Letter: Search your email or physical files for Form CP 575. This is the letter the IRS sent you when you first got the number.
- Bank Statements: If you have a business bank account, look at your original account opening documents. The bank definitely has your EIN on file.
- Old Tax Returns: Check Box D of your previous Schedule C or the top of your Form 1120. It’s been there the whole time.
- Call the IRS: This is the "nuclear option" because of the hold times. You can call the Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. They are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. You’ll have to prove you’re authorized to have the number (like being the owner or an officer), so have your personal info and business address ready.
Why You Can't Just "Google" It
You might see some sketchy websites promising a "Free EIN Search." Be careful. Since an EIN is basically a Social Security Number for a business, it’s sensitive info. Total public access would be a playground for identity thieves.
Most of those "free" sites are just trying to get you to click ads or sign up for a subscription. Stick to the official sources like the SEC, the IRS, or reputable credit bureaus. It might take an extra ten minutes, but you won’t end up on a mailing list for "business coaching" you never asked for.
Your Next Steps
Stop clicking around random forums and take these specific actions:
💡 You might also like: The Skills Gap Labor Crisis: What Jamie Dimon Wants You to Know
- For Public Companies: Go straight to the SEC EDGAR search and pull the latest 10-K.
- For Nonprofits: Use the IRS TEOS tool or ProPublica's database.
- For Private Vendors: Email their accounting department and request a signed Form W-9.
- For Your Own Business: Dig through your digital folders for "CP 575" or check your last filed tax return.
If none of those work and it's a private company you have no relationship with, you’ll likely need to purchase a Dun & Bradstreet report to get verified data.