Is FEIN the Same as EIN? Uses, Eligibility, and How to Apply

Yes. A Federal Employer Identification Number and an Employer Identification Number are the same nine-digit number issued by the IRS to identify a business for tax purposes.1Internal Revenue Service. Employer Identification Number The only difference is the label. “FEIN” tacks on the word “Federal” to make clear the number is the federal one rather than a state-issued tax account number. Whether a form asks for your FEIN or your EIN, you enter the same digits.

Why the Same Number Has Two Names

The IRS officially calls the number an Employer Identification Number, and that’s the term used on federal forms, IRS letters, and the tax code.1Internal Revenue Service. Employer Identification Number State agencies and legal professionals often add “Federal” to distinguish the IRS number from state tax IDs, which is how “FEIN” entered common use.

Both fall under a broader IRS category called a Taxpayer Identification Number, or TIN. A TIN is any number the IRS uses to track a taxpayer, including Social Security Numbers for individuals, Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers for non-citizens, and EINs for businesses, estates, and trusts.2Internal Revenue Service. Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN) If a form asks for your TIN and you’re responding as a business entity, your EIN is the number to give.

Where You’ll See Each Term

You’ll see “EIN” on anything coming from the IRS itself: Form SS-4, business tax returns, the confirmation notice sent when the number was first assigned, and IRS correspondence generally.

You’ll see “FEIN” most often on documents where a state agency or private party needs to signal that it wants the federal number specifically rather than a state tax account number. Commercial lease agreements, state licensing applications, and vendor registration forms are common examples. If a form uses “FEIN,” “EIN,” “federal tax ID,” “employer ID number,” or “tax identification number” in a business context, they are all asking for the same nine digits.

Who Has an EIN in the First Place

Several types of entities are required to obtain one:1Internal Revenue Service. Employer Identification Number

  • Corporations and partnerships, whether or not they have employees.
  • Multi-member LLCs, and single-member LLCs taxed as corporations.
  • Any business that hires employees, for payroll tax withholding and reporting.
  • Tax-exempt organizations, which must have an EIN before applying for tax-exempt status.3Internal Revenue Service. Get an Employer Identification Number
  • Estates and most trusts that earn income (certain grantor-owned revocable trusts are exempt).
  • Entities that administer qualified retirement plans or IRAs.
  • Any entity that withholds tax on income paid to a non-resident alien.

Sole proprietors with no employees and none of the requirements above aren’t required to have an EIN and can file using their Social Security Number. Many still apply for one voluntarily to avoid putting an SSN on invoices, W-9s, and vendor paperwork. Applying is free and quick.

Applying Is Free — Through the IRS Only

The IRS charges nothing for an EIN. You can apply four ways:3Internal Revenue Service. Get an Employer Identification Number1Internal Revenue Service. Employer Identification Number

  • Online through the IRS EIN Assistant at irs.gov, which issues the number immediately on screen. One EIN per responsible party per day.
  • By fax to 855-641-6935, with a return fax number for a response within four business days.
  • By mail to Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999, with about a four-week turnaround.
  • By phone at 267-941-1099 for applicants whose principal business is outside the United States.

Third-party websites often charge up to $300 to file the same free application, and the Federal Trade Commission has warned operators of sites that use IRS-like logos, colors, and domain names containing “IRS” to appear official.4Federal Trade Commission. FTC Warns Operators of Websites that Charge for an Employer Identification Number and Claim Affiliation with the IRS The FTC said impersonating a government agency can carry civil penalties of up to $53,088 per violation. Before entering any information, check that the URL ends in .gov.

Finding an EIN You’ve Already Been Issued

If you know your business has a number but can’t remember whether the paperwork called it a FEIN or an EIN, you’re looking for the same thing either way. The IRS suggests several places to check:1Internal Revenue Service. Employer Identification Number

  • The original confirmation notice the IRS sent when the number was assigned.
  • The bank that holds your business account.
  • Any state or local licensing agency you’ve registered with.
  • Any prior business tax return, where the EIN appears on the form.
  • 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. After verifying identity, an agent can read the number back over the phone.