General Information
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is used to identify a business entity. It is a nine-digit number that follows the pattern 00-0000000, making it easily distinguishable from a social security number (000-00-0000), and other tax identification numbers. This is a free service offered by the Internal Revenue Service and you can get your EIN immediately. You may apply for an EIN online.
The primary responsibility of the Illinois Department of Revenue is to serve as the tax collection agency for state government and for local governments. A state EIN or EAN is a number assigned by a state government to an employer to track payroll tax liabilities, remittances, and unemployment insurance liability.
How to Find or Verify an EIN
To verify a charitable company’s EIN number, use the IRS Exempt Organization Select Check tool.
Yes, it is possible to look up your EIN number online. Depending on the type of business entity, you may be able to find the EIN on public records such as your business license, articles of incorporation, or tax returns. The Securities and Exchange Commission EDGAR online Forms and Filings (SEC) database offers an EIN search tool for publicly held companies.
An employer identification number (EIN) is a nine-digit number assigned by the IRS. It’s used to identify the tax accounts of employers and certain others who have no employees.
Contacting the IRS for EIN Assistance
- Ask the IRS to search for your EIN by calling the Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933, Monday through Friday between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm local time.
- If you previously applied for and received an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for your business, but have since misplaced it, try finding the computer-generated notice issued by the IRS when you applied for your EIN.
- The IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line can help look up another business’s EIN. Call 800-829-4933, Monday through Friday, 7 am to 7 pm local time.
Illinois Specific Information
To find your Illinois EIN number:
- Call the Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 during operational hours, which are 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday.
- If the form does not show an IL employer ID number, use the federal Employer Identification Number (EIN or FEIN).
The Illinois Business Tax (IBT) number is the identification number assigned by the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) and is required if you conduct business in Illinois or with Illinois customers.
To obtain your IL-PIN, visit the IL-PIN Inquiry website or call 1-800-732-8866. You will need one of the following pieces of information to retrieve your PIN: Illinois Drivers License or State ID Number.
Other Considerations
EIN Lookup Database & Reverse EIN Lookup Services. Easily Search Our EIN Database of Over 20 Million EINs.
Note: An EIN is not issued by the Illinois Secretary of State. It is only issued by the IRS. In box 11, enter the amount of any state income tax that was withheld from your paycheck.