Your Tax ID is on documents you already have

Your Tax ID number — also called an EIN (Employer Identification Number) if you own a business, or your SSN (Social Security Number) if you file as an individual — appears on multiple documents the IRS has already sent you or that you can access right now.

If you are a sole proprietor or individual filer, your Tax ID is your Social Security Number. If you operate a business entity — a partnership, LLC, S-corp, or C-corp — you have a separate EIN. Both are nine digits. Both are issued by the IRS, and both are retrievable without calling anyone or waiting in line.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Social Security Number is your Tax ID if you file taxes as an individual; your EIN is your Tax ID if you own a business.
  • Your SSN appears on your Social Security card, tax returns, W-2 forms, and 1099 forms you receive from employers or clients.
  • Your EIN appears on IRS correspondence, your business bank account paperwork, and the IRS Business Services Online portal if you set up an account.
  • The IRS website lets you look up an EIN you have already been issued without logging in; you need your business name, address, and the date you applied.
  • If you cannot locate your number anywhere, you can call the IRS directly or request a transcript of your tax return, which displays your Tax ID.

Where your Social Security Number appears

Your Social Security Number is printed on your Social Security card, which you received from the Social Security Administration when you were born or when you first became may be able to access to work. If you still have that card, the nine-digit number is on the front.

Your SSN also appears on every tax return you have filed with the IRS. If you filed a 1040, 1040-SR, or any other individual return, your SSN is in the top right corner of the first page. If you have a copy of any return from the past three years, you can find it there. If you do not have a paper copy, you can request a transcript from the IRS website or by calling 1-800-908-9946.

Your SSN appears on W-2 forms that your employer sends you each January for the previous year's wages. It also appears on 1099 forms — 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, 1099-INT, and others — that you receive from clients, banks, or investment firms. These forms report income to the IRS and include your SSN so the IRS can match the income to your tax return.

Where your EIN appears if you own a business

If you have a business EIN, the IRS sent you a letter called Form SS-4 confirmation or EIN assignment letter when you first applied. This letter contains your nine-digit EIN and is usually the clearest place to find it. If you received this letter by mail, check your files or email if you applied online.

Your EIN also appears on IRS correspondence — any letter or notice the IRS has sent you about your business. These letters have your EIN printed near the top. If you have received any notice from the IRS about your business in the past few years, that document will have your EIN on it.

Your business bank account paperwork often includes your EIN. When you opened the account, you provided your EIN to the bank, and it appears on your account statements, deposit slips, and any correspondence the bank has sent you about the account.

How to look up an EIN you have already been issued

The IRS offers a free lookup tool on its website at irs.gov. Go to the "EIN Lookup" page and enter your business name, business address, and the date you applied for the EIN. The tool will return your nine-digit EIN if the information matches IRS records.

You do not need to log in or create an account to use this tool. It works for any EIN that has already been issued by the IRS. The lookup is instant and costs nothing.

If you have set up an account on the IRS Business Services Online portal, you can also log in there to view your EIN. This portal is where you manage other business tax matters with the IRS, and your EIN is displayed on your account dashboard.

How to request your Tax ID if you cannot find it

If you cannot locate your SSN or EIN anywhere, you can call the IRS directly. For individual tax matters, call 1-800-829-1040. For business EIN questions, call 1-800-829-4933. Have your name, address, and date of birth ready. The IRS can confirm your number over the phone.

You can also request a tax return transcript from the IRS, which displays your Tax ID. Go to irs.gov/transcripts and select "Get Transcript Online" or "Get Transcript by Mail." The online option is faster — you can retrieve it the same day. The transcript shows your SSN or EIN at the top and includes a summary of your tax return.

If you are requesting a transcript by mail, allow 5 to 10 business days for delivery. You can also order a transcript by phone by calling 1-800-908-9946.

What to do if you think your Tax ID has been misused

If you suspect someone has used your SSN or EIN fraudulently — for example, if you receive tax documents you did not file or IRS notices about income you did not earn — contact the IRS immediately. Call 1-800-829-1040 for SSN fraud or 1-800-829-4933 for EIN fraud.

You can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at reportidentitytheft.ftc.gov. The FTC will create an identity theft report and provide you with a recovery plan. Keep a copy of this report; you may need it when you contact the IRS or your bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have both an SSN and an EIN?

If you are a sole proprietor — you own a business by yourself and have not formed an LLC or corporation — you may have only an SSN. Many sole proprietors use their SSN as their business Tax ID. However, if you have employees or operate as an LLC, S-corp, or C-corp, you have a separate EIN in addition to your SSN.

Can I get a new Tax ID number if I lost mine?

You cannot change your SSN or EIN once it has been issued. However, you can retrieve it using the methods in this guide. If your SSN card is lost or damaged, you can request a replacement from the Social Security Administration. If your EIN assignment letter is lost, you can request a new copy from the IRS or use the EIN lookup tool.

How long does it take to receive an EIN after I apply?

If you apply for an EIN online through the IRS website, you receive your number immediately. If you apply by mail or fax, it takes about four weeks. The IRS will send you a confirmation letter with your EIN by mail.

What if the IRS lookup tool says my EIN does not exist?

This usually means the information you entered does not match IRS records exactly. Try entering your business name in a different format — for example, with or without "LLC" or "Inc." — or double-check the address. If you still cannot find it, call the IRS at 1-800-829-4933 with your business name and the date you applied.