How to Get an EIN for Your Nonprofit (Step-by-Step)

Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your nonprofit's federal tax ID — like a Social Security number for your organization. You need it to open a bank account, file taxes, hire employees, and apply for 501(c)(3) status.

The good news: getting an EIN is free, fast, and one of the easiest steps in the nonprofit startup process. This guide walks through every step of the online application, alternative filing methods, common mistakes, and what to do after you receive your number.

What Is an EIN?

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify your organization for tax purposes. The format is XX-XXXXXXX (e.g., 47-1234567).

You need an EIN to:

• Open a business bank account
• File IRS Form 1023 or 1023-EZ for tax-exempt status
• File Form 990 (annual information return)
• Hire employees and process payroll
• Apply for state tax exemptions
• Apply for grants (most require your EIN)
• Accept donations (donors need it for tax records)

You do NOT need an EIN to:

• Incorporate in your state (you get the EIN after incorporation)
• Write your bylaws
• Recruit board members

When to Apply

Apply for your EIN after you've incorporated in your state but before you file IRS Form 1023.

Here's where it fits in the startup sequence:

Step	Action	EIN Needed?
1	Write mission statement	No
2	Recruit board of directors	No
3	Draft bylaws	No
4	File articles of incorporation	No
5	Get your EIN	← You are here
6	Open bank account	Yes
7	File Form 1023/1023-EZ	Yes

What You Need Before Applying

Gather this information before starting the application:

• Legal name of your organization (must exactly match your articles of incorporation)
• State of incorporation and date incorporated
• Mailing address for the organization
• Responsible party name and SSN — This is the person the IRS considers the primary contact. Typically the board president, incorporator, or executive director. They must have a valid Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
• Type of entity — You'll select "Other nonprofit/tax-exempt organization"
• Reason for applying — Select "Started a new business"
• Principal activity — Brief description (e.g., "charitable organization," "educational services," "religious organization")
• Number of employees expected in the first 12 months (can be 0)
• Fiscal year — Most nonprofits use January-December (calendar year)

Method 1: Apply Online (Recommended)

The online application is the fastest and easiest method. Your EIN is issued immediately upon completion.

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Step 1: Go to IRS.gov EIN Application

Step 2: Click "Apply Online Now" and then "Begin Application"

Step 3: Select your entity type

• Click "View Additional Types, Including Tax-Exempt and Governmental Organizations"
• Select "Other Nonprofit/Tax-Exempt Organizations"
• On the next screen, select the specific type (most choose "Other" and type "Charitable Organization" or "501(c)(3)")

Step 4: Confirm why you need an EIN

• Select "Started a new business"
• Enter the date your articles of incorporation were filed (or accepted by your state)

Step 5: Enter the responsible party's information

• Full legal name
• SSN or ITIN
• Role/title (e.g., "Board President," "Incorporator")
• This person is the primary contact for the IRS

Step 6: Enter your organization's details

• Legal name (must match your articles exactly)
• Trade name / DBA (if different from legal name)
• Mailing address
• County and state
• Phone number

Step 7: Answer additional questions

• Number of employees expected in the next 12 months
• Date you expect to start paying wages (or "N/A")
• Principal activity description
• Accounting year (calendar year or fiscal year)

Step 8: Review and submit

• Double-check all information for accuracy
• Submit the application

Step 9: Receive your EIN immediately

• Your EIN will display on screen
• Print or save this page immediately — it includes your EIN confirmation
• The IRS will also mail a confirmation notice (CP 575) within 4-6 weeks

Online Application Details

Detail	Info
Cost	Free
Available	Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM Eastern Time
Time to complete	10-15 minutes
EIN issued	Immediately upon completion
Confirmation	On screen + mailed (CP 575, 4-6 weeks)
Sessions	Must be completed in one session (no saving progress)

Method 2: Apply by Fax (Form SS-4)

If you can't use the online application (e.g., the responsible party doesn't have an SSN, or you're applying outside the U.S.), you can fax Form SS-4:

1. Download Form SS-4 from IRS.gov
2. Complete all sections
3. Fax to the appropriate IRS fax number (listed in Form SS-4 instructions)
4. Receive your EIN by fax within 4 business days

Method 3: Apply by Mail (Form SS-4)

The slowest option:

1. Download and complete Form SS-4
2. Mail to the IRS address listed in the instructions
3. Receive your EIN by mail within 4 weeks

Recommendation: Use the online application unless you have a specific reason not to.

Application Methods Comparison

Method	Cost	Speed	When to Use
Online	Free	Immediate	Default choice for most nonprofits
Fax (SS-4)	Free	4 business days	No SSN, international applicant
Mail (SS-4)	Free	4 weeks	Last resort

What to Do After Receiving Your EIN

Immediately

1. Save your EIN confirmation — Print the online confirmation page and store it with your organizational records
2. Update your records — Add the EIN to your articles of incorporation file, bylaws, and organizational documents

Within 1-2 Weeks

3. Open a bank account — Bring your EIN confirmation, articles of incorporation, and a board resolution authorizing the account opening. Most banks require at least two signers.
4. Begin your Form 1023 application — You now have everything you need to apply for 501(c)(3) status

Within 30 Days

5. Apply for state tax exemptions — Some states require your EIN on the application
6. Register for state charitable solicitation — If your state requires it (41 states do)

When the CP 575 Arrives (4-6 weeks)

7. File the CP 575 notice — This is your official EIN confirmation letter from the IRS. Keep it permanently. Some banks and funders specifically ask for this document.

Common Mistakes

1. Applying before incorporating — The IRS application asks for your date of incorporation. Incorporate first, then apply for the EIN.

2. Name mismatch — Your organization's name on the EIN application must exactly match the name on your articles of incorporation. Even minor differences (like "Inc." vs. "Incorporated") can cause problems.

3. Using a third-party service — Some websites charge $50-200+ to file an EIN on your behalf. This is unnecessary — the IRS application is free and takes 10 minutes. Don't pay someone else to do it.

4. Not saving the confirmation — If you close the browser before saving your EIN, you'll need to call the IRS to retrieve it (which can take weeks). Always print or screenshot the confirmation page.

5. Applying for multiple EINs — Each organization gets one EIN. Don't apply again if you already have one. If you've lost your EIN, call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933.

6. Wrong responsible party — The responsible party must be an individual with a valid SSN or ITIN. It cannot be the organization itself. Choose someone who will be available if the IRS needs to contact your organization.

EIN vs. State Tax ID

Your EIN is a federal tax ID from the IRS. Many states also issue a separate state tax identification number. These are different:

ID	Issued By	Purpose	How to Get
EIN	IRS (federal)	Federal tax filing, Form 1023, Form 990	IRS.gov (free, instant)
State Tax ID	Your state's Department of Revenue	State tax filings, state tax exemption	Apply with your state after receiving EIN

You need both. Get the EIN first, then apply for your state tax ID as part of your state registration process.

Lost Your EIN?

If you can't find your EIN:

1. Check your CP 575 notice — The original confirmation letter from the IRS
2. Check your bank account — Your bank has it on file
3. Check your Form 990 — If you've filed, it's on the return
4. Call the IRS — Business & Specialty Tax Line: 1-800-829-4933 (Monday-Friday, 7am-7pm local time). Have the responsible party's SSN and the organization's legal name and address ready.

For the complete startup process, see How to Start a Nonprofit or use our Nonprofit Startup Checklist. Once you have your EIN and bank account, set up fund accounting so every dollar is tracked properly from your first deposit.

Ready to set up your new nonprofit? Schedule Your Free Setup | Start Free — Under $100K in Donations

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Related:

• How to Start a Nonprofit: The Complete 2026 Guide
• How to Start a 501(c)(3)
• How Much Does It Cost to Start a Nonprofit?
• Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation