United States · EIN
US EIN Checker
Check a US Employer Identification Number for correct format and a valid IRS prefix. Where a public state record lists the EIN, the business name is shown too.
What is an EIN?
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is the 9-digit federal tax ID the IRS gives businesses, nonprofits and other entities, written XX-XXXXXXX — for example 94-2404110 for Apple Inc. There is no public IRS lookup, so a checker can confirm the format and prefix, but not who an EIN belongs to.
EIN format
A two-digit IRS prefix and seven digits.
Example: 94-2404110 (Apple Inc., as printed on its Form 10-K cover).
- 9 digits: Written XX-XXXXXXX; the hyphen and spaces are optional when entering.
- Valid prefixes: The checker applies the IRS list of valid prefixes. Prefixes such as 00, 07 or 89 are not on the IRS list.
- No check rule: The IRS publishes no check-digit rule, so a well-formed number is not proof it was issued.
- Name where public: Most EINs are in no public register, so most results show as unverified. A name appears only where a public state tax record lists the number.
How to check an EIN
- 1 Get the EIN from the business’s Form W-9 or, for a public company, its SEC filings.
- 2 Enter it above. The checker validates the 9 digits and the IRS prefix.
- 3 If a business name comes back, compare it with your vendor; if the result is unverified, rely on the signed W-9.
- 4 Need the official routes? Our EIN verification guide explains them step by step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I look up or verify an EIN with the IRS?
Not publicly. The IRS confirms an EIN only to the business or someone authorized to act for it (for example by Letter 147C). Its TIN Matching service is open only to payers who file information returns such as Form 1099, and it returns a match indicator for the name and TIN you submit — it never returns a name.
What is the EIN format?
Nine digits, written XX-XXXXXXX — for example 94-2404110 for Apple Inc. The first two digits are a prefix the IRS assigns; the IRS publishes no check-digit rule.
Which EIN prefixes are valid?
The IRS publishes the list of valid prefixes. These are not on it: 00, 07, 08, 09, 17, 18, 19, 28, 29, 49, 69, 70, 78, 79, 89, 96 and 97. An EIN starting with one of them is not valid.
How do I find a company’s EIN?
Public companies print it on the cover of their SEC filings, next to “I.R.S. Employer Identification No.”. For any other business, ask for a completed Form W-9. Our EIN verification guide covers the official routes.
What is the difference between an EIN and an SSN?
An EIN identifies a business or other entity and is issued by the IRS. A Social Security number identifies an individual and is issued by the Social Security Administration. A sole proprietor who has an EIN may give either on Form W-9.
What happens if a vendor gives me a wrong EIN on a W-9?
You may have to start backup withholding at 24% on payments to them, and the payee can face a $50 penalty for each failure to provide a correct taxpayer identification number.
Last reviewed: , against official sources.
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