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What is EIN Finder?
EIN Finder is a searchable database of over seven million official U.S. business identification numbers.
These nine-digit numbers are assigned by the IRS to almost all businesses operating in the United States.
EINs must be included on many filings required by the U.S. government, and they also provide clear company identification in commercial transactions.
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Why do customers of EIN Finder need fast, accurate access to this data?
Business ID numbers are required to complete many types of forms, filings and transactions.
Each business entity must have a unique EIN, just as each individual must have a unique Social Security Number.
EINs help to increase the security and integrity of business interactions while preventing identity theft or mis-representation.
(Note: Within large corporations, different business entities may be assigned different EINs.)
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How does EIN Finder compile and update this data?
EIN Finder has created this database by scanning the most recently available public records and filings.
We are constantly adding new sources of official data to supplement our listings, and our staff works continuously to verify and update existing data. EIN Finder is one of the largest databases of its kind on the Internet – and it is always-on!
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Is every business in the U.S. listed in EIN Finder?
Sole proprietorships are not required to obtain EIN numbers; they may use the Social Security numbers of the proprietor for identification, if they wish. Although EIN Finder contains numbers for many proprietors who request EINs, those using Social Security numbers are not included. Also, since some trusts and estates have used different types of numbers in the past, they may not be included.
Currently, EINs are being assigned by the IRS to sole proprietors, corporations, limited liability corporations, partnerships,
estates, trusts, employer benefit plans, and tax-exempt organizations – and we are capturing them as they are filed.
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Why is a given listing or address out-of-date?
We make every attempt to keep EIN Finder current.
However, there is a lag between the time filings are made with the IRS and when we can gain access to them.
Several types of events (such as bankruptcies, incorporations, mergers, purchases and sales) can require companies to obtain a new EIN. When a company changes its address, it is not required to report this information to the IRS for purposes of EIN filing.
Thus, we must (and do) search elsewhere to keep addresses in EIN Finder current. If you find a listing that you know to be out-of-date, please use our EIN Update feature to let us know, and we will correct it.
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What is the best way to search for a given company’s EIN?
It is possible that the name provided by a company does not exactly match the name filed with the IRS on the EIN application. For this reason, EIN Finder allows our customers to narrow the search by state, zip code and NAICS industry code.
For example, you can identify all companies in the database within a given zip code or industry. The search routines built into EIN Finder make it easy for our customers to find the right business fast.
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Is EIN Finder really always-on?
Yes. Our customers demand real-time, all-the-time access to this data.
Some of our largest corporate customers have workers who need access to EIN Finder around the clock.
We have built a state-of-the-art data system with security, reliability and integrity to assure access to data when you need it.
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Is there a difference between an EIN and an FEIN?
No. Some people refer to the EIN as an FEIN because it is issued by the federal government (Federal Employer Identification Number).
The IRS now uses the term EIN exclusively.
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Is there a difference between an EIN and a TIN?
An EIN is one form of acceptable Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).
For individuals and sole proprietors only, a Social Security number also is an acceptable TIN.
Most other types of business entities must obtain and use EINs.
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