The EIN Blog
Every question an EIN raises, answered from IRS sources and written to be read once.
Reverse EIN Lookup: Finding the Company Behind a Number (2026)
A reverse EIN lookup starts with a 9-digit number and finds the company. See which sources work, why no public database covers private companies, and what does.
EIN Number Example: What the 9 Digits Look Like (2026)
An EIN number example looks like 12-3456789 — 2 digits, a hyphen, then 7. See what the prefix means, the IRS list of valid prefixes, and how to tell a real EIN from a typo.
EIN on W9 Form: Where It Goes and When to Use It Instead of an SSN (2026)
The EIN on a W9 form goes in Part I, in the 2-digit and 7-digit boxes. See which entity types enter an EIN, what triggers 24% backup withholding, and how to fix a name mismatch.
EIN vs DUNS Number: Two 9-Digit Numbers, Two Issuers (2026)
EIN vs DUNS number, settled: the IRS issues one for tax at $0, Dun & Bradstreet issues the other for credit. See which of the 2 you need, and in what order.
IRS EIN Phone Number: Every Line, Hour, and Answer It Gives (2026)
The IRS EIN phone number for international applicants is 267-941-1099, open Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern. Every line, its hours, and what it does.
Is an EIN Public Record? What Gets Published and What Never Does (2026)
Is an EIN public record? For 2 categories of entity, yes, by federal law. For every private company, no. See the 5 disclosure routes, the 2 code sections that decide it, and what an exposed EIN actually costs you.
Secretary of State EIN Number: Why the State Never Issues One (2026)
A Secretary of State EIN number does not exist. The IRS issues all EINs for all 50 states. See what the state number is, where each one appears, and which one a bank wants.
Reading because you still need the number?
A guide explains the rule. An entity that never received an EIN applies with Form SS-4, and the IRS charges $0. We prepare it, file within 1 business day, and deliver the EIN and CP-575 within 7 business days or refund the $99 automatically.
No SSN. No passport upload.