An Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a Tax ID Number, is a unique number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service to each business that is required to file a federal income tax return. Corporations, partnerships, nonprofit organizations, religious organizations, sole proprietorships, government entities, trusts and estates all must have an EIN. There are several ways to find a business entity's EIN using only the Internet.
Access the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's Electronic Data-Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (EDGAR) database to find the EIN of a public company. Click on "Search for Filings" and then "Company or fund name." You can search for companies by state, country, industry or stock ticker symbol. Enter the identifying information of your choice in the appropriate text box and click "Find Companies." Access the company's annual report by selecting "Form 10-K" or "Form 10-Q/A." The company's EIN will be listed on the first page of the document.
Log on to GuideStar to obtain the EIN of a nonprofit company. GuideStar is searchable database containing information regarding nonprofit organizations. Register for a free account at GuideStar by providing your email address and creating a password. Enter the company name to access available information and select "Form 990," which is a document that provides the names of executives of a nonprofit organization as well as the organization's financial information. The company's EIN will be listed on the first page of Form 990.
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For private companies, contact the company directly or access a legal search engine such as Lexis or Westlaw. You can also enter the company name into a specialized search engine such as KnowX. Lexis, Westlaw, and KnowX charge a fee for use.