No. Getting an Employer Identification Number does not cost money. The IRS issues EINs for free through IRS.gov, by fax, and by mail, with no processing fee, no expedited surcharge, and no renewal fee later.1Internal Revenue Service. Get an Employer Identification Number Money only enters the picture if you pay a third-party website to file the application for you, and the Federal Trade Commission has warned consumers about services that charge hundreds of dollars for something the government provides at no cost.2Federal Trade Commission. FTC Warns Operators of Websites That Charge for an Employer Identification Number and Claim Affiliation With the IRS
The IRS puts it plainly on its own page: “You never have to pay a fee for an EIN.”1Internal Revenue Service. Get an Employer Identification Number Once assigned, the nine-digit number is permanent.3Internal Revenue Service. Closing a Business
What Third-Party Filing Services Charge
Private websites that offer to obtain an EIN on your behalf typically charge up to $300 per EIN, according to the FTC.2Federal Trade Commission. FTC Warns Operators of Websites That Charge for an Employer Identification Number and Claim Affiliation With the IRS Some bundle the filing with incorporation, registered-agent service, or other startup tasks, pushing the total above $500. Those fees pay the company for its time. None of the money goes to the IRS.
The other concern is deception. In April 2025, the FTC sent warning letters to operators of EIN websites whose designs may create a false impression of affiliation with the IRS, potentially violating the FTC Act and the federal Impersonation Rule.2Federal Trade Commission. FTC Warns Operators of Websites That Charge for an Employer Identification Number and Claim Affiliation With the IRS Before paying anyone, check the address bar. The government site is IRS.gov. Anything else is a private company.
How to Get an EIN Directly From the IRS for Free
The IRS offers three application methods for domestic applicants and a phone option for international applicants. All are free, and you are limited to one EIN per responsible party per day.4Internal Revenue Service. Employer Identification Number
Online
The online application at IRS.gov is the fastest route. It validates your information in real time and issues the EIN immediately if everything checks out.1Internal Revenue Service. Get an Employer Identification Number You can use it if your principal place of business is in the United States or a U.S. territory and the responsible party has a Social Security number or ITIN.5Taxpayer Advocate Service. Getting an EIN The tool runs Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Eastern, Saturday 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday 6:00 p.m. to midnight.
Fax
Complete Form SS-4 and fax it to 855-641-6935. Include a return fax number and you should receive your EIN in about four business days.6Internal Revenue Service. Instructions for Form SS-4 (12/2025)
Send Form SS-4 to Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999. Expect roughly four weeks. The IRS recommends mailing at least four to five weeks before you need the number.6Internal Revenue Service. Instructions for Form SS-4 (12/2025)
International Applicants
If your principal place of business is outside the United States and U.S. territories, you cannot use the online tool. You can call 267-941-1099 (not toll-free) Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern; fax Form SS-4 to 304-707-9471; or mail Form SS-4 to Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN International Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999. Phone applications are for international applicants only; the IRS no longer issues EINs by phone to domestic taxpayers.6Internal Revenue Service. Instructions for Form SS-4 (12/2025)
Later Steps Are Also Free
The zero-cost rule is not limited to your first EIN. If your business structure changes and the IRS requires a new EIN, the replacement application uses the same channels and carries no fee.1Internal Revenue Service. Get an Employer Identification Number
Lost your number? Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time. The IRS will verify your identity and provide the number to an authorized caller at no charge.4Internal Revenue Service. Employer Identification Number
Closing the account is free too. An EIN cannot technically be canceled once issued, but you can close the IRS business account tied to it by sending a letter with the entity’s legal name, EIN, business address, and reason for closing to Internal Revenue Service, Cincinnati, OH 45999. The IRS will not close the account until all required returns are filed and any outstanding tax is paid.3Internal Revenue Service. Closing a Business