You’re staring at a W-9 form or a bank loan application and suddenly realize you have no idea where that nine-digit string of numbers went. It happens. Honestly, more than you’d think. Most small business owners treat their Employer Identification Number (EIN) like a social security card—they tuck it away in a "safe place" that is promptly forgotten three years later.
If you’re doing a search for EIN number details right now, you’re likely in a bit of a rush. Maybe the IRS is knocking, or maybe you're just trying to open a business checking account at Chase or Bank of America. Whatever the case, don't panic. You don't need to pay some random website $300 to "recover" it for you.
Where the IRS Hides Your Number
The first place you should look isn't some database. It’s your own digital paper trail. When the IRS issued your EIN, they sent a confirmation notice called the CP 575. This is the holy grail of business documentation.
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If you applied online, you probably got a PDF version immediately. Search your email inbox for "CP 575" or "EIN Confirmation." Check your "Downloads" folder from the year you started the business. It’s usually there, sitting between a grocery receipt and a random cat photo.
But what if you lost the physical paper?
Check your previous tax returns. If you’ve ever filed a Form 1120 (for corporations) or 1065 (for partnerships), your EIN is plastered right at the top. Even if you’re a solo practitioner and file a Schedule C with your Form 1040, you might have listed it there.
The Official Way: Calling the IRS
Let's be real: calling the IRS is nobody's idea of a good time. But if the paper trail is dead, the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line is your only direct line to the truth.
You can reach them at 800-829-4933. They operate from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday.
Here is the kicker: you have to be an "authorized person." If you aren't the owner, a partner, or a corporate officer, they’re going to hang up on you. They take privacy seriously. Be prepared to answer some deeply personal questions about your business's formation date and your own social security number to prove you aren't a scammer trying to hijack a random LLC.
Expect to wait. Long wait times are the standard, not the exception. Use a speakerphone and do your laundry while the hold music plays.
Searching for Someone Else's EIN
Sometimes you aren't looking for your own number. Maybe you’re a freelancer trying to verify if a company is legitimate, or you’re a lawyer doing due diligence. A search for EIN number data for a third party is a bit trickier because this isn't exactly public record like a phone number.
If the company is publicly traded, you’re in luck. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires public companies to disclose their EIN on their filings.
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- Go to the SEC EDGAR database.
- Search by the company name.
- Open their most recent 10-K (annual report).
- Look at the very first page.
The EIN is usually right there, near the company address.
For non-profits, the process is even easier. The IRS requires 501(c)(3) organizations to be transparent. You can use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool or third-party sites like GuideStar or ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer. These sites aggregate Form 990 filings, which always include the EIN.
The "Secret" Backdoors to Finding a Business Tax ID
If the company is private and not a non-profit, things get murky. But there are professional workarounds.
The Secretary of State
While many states don't list the EIN on their public business search portals for security reasons, some do. It’s worth a five-minute check on the Secretary of State website where the business is incorporated. Sometimes, the original Articles of Incorporation (which are public) might have the number listed if the founder was careless with their filing.
Business Credit Reports
Companies like Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax Business track this stuff. You usually have to pay for a full credit report to see the EIN, but if it’s a high-stakes business deal, the $50 or $100 fee is a drop in the bucket.
Licensing Boards
Does the business need a professional license? Contractors, doctors, and liquor stores have to file extensive paperwork with local and state boards. These records are often subject to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, or sometimes they’re just sitting in a searchable PDF on a government site.
Why You Shouldn't Use "Free" EIN Lookups
You’ve probably seen the ads. "Free EIN Search! Just enter the company name!"
Kinda suspicious, right? It is.
Most of these sites are either lead-generation funnels for expensive legal services or, worse, phishing operations. They want your data. They want to know which businesses you're looking into so they can sell that "intent data" to marketers. Or they'll give you the first five digits and ask for $29.99 to reveal the rest.
Don't do it. Stick to official government sources or reputable financial data aggregators.
Misconceptions About the EIN
A common mistake people make is thinking the EIN is the same as a Social Security Number. It’s not. While it serves a similar purpose for a business, it doesn't "expire." Even if you close your business, that EIN is permanently tied to that entity. You can’t just "cancel" it and get a new one because you didn't like the digits.
Another myth? That you can find an EIN by searching the "White Pages."
Nope.
It’s a federal tax ID, not a piece of contact information.
Surprising Ways to Find Your Own Missing EIN
If you’re still hunting for yours and the IRS phone line is busy, think about your bank.
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If you have a business bank account, they have your EIN on file. They had to verify it when you opened the account. Log into your online banking portal and look at your "Account Details" or "Profile" section. Often, they’ll show the last four digits, but sometimes the full number is tucked into your monthly statements or the original "Account Opening Disclosure" PDF.
Also, check your business insurance policy.
Whether it’s General Liability or Workers' Comp, the insurance company needs that EIN to report your premiums and claims to the state. Your "Declarations Page" is a prime spot for a hidden EIN.
What to Do Once You Find It
Once your search for EIN number is successful, don't just write it on a Post-it note that will lose its stickiness in three weeks.
- Digital Vault: Put it in a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password.
- Physical Backup: Print that CP 575 and put it in a fireproof safe.
- Company Handbook: If you have employees, make sure the HR or accounting department has it in a secure, accessible location.
If You Truly Never Had One
It’s possible you’re looking for something that doesn't exist. If you are a Sole Proprietor with no employees, you aren't actually required to have an EIN. You might have just been using your Social Security Number all along.
However, getting an EIN is usually a good idea for privacy. It keeps your SSN off of W-9s you send to clients. If you realize you never applied, you can get one for free in about 10 minutes on the IRS.gov website. Just make sure you do it during their operating hours (Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST), as their online system actually "closes" at night. Strange, but true.
Actionable Steps for Immediate Results
Stop scrolling and do these three things in this exact order:
- Search your email for "EIN," "CP 575," "Form SS-4," or "Tax ID." Check every account you might have used when you started the company.
- Call your business bank branch. Don't call the national 800-number; call the local branch where you opened the account. They can often pull up your original application faster than the IRS can.
- Check your last filed tax return. Look at page one of your Form 1120 or 1065. If you’re a sole proprietor, check your Schedule C.
If all else fails, set aside two hours on a Tuesday morning (the wait times are usually shortest then) and call the IRS at 800-829-4933. Have your personal ID and formation documents ready before you dial. Once you get a human, they can verify your identity and read the number to you over the phone.