Your Tax ID is on documents you already have

Your Tax ID number — also called an Employer Identification Number (EIN) if you own a business, or your Social Security Number (SSN) if you work as an individual — appears on multiple documents the IRS and your employer have already sent you. You do not need to request it or contact the IRS to retrieve it. The number itself does not change unless you start a business or change your business structure.

The fastest way to find it is to look at a recent tax return, a W-2 form from your employer, or a 1099 form if you are self-employed. If you cannot locate any of those, the IRS website and your employer's payroll system both have it on file and can confirm it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Social Security Number is your Tax ID if you work as an individual; your Employer Identification Number is your Tax ID if you own a business.
  • A copy of your most recent tax return, W-2, or 1099 form will show your Tax ID number in the top left corner or on the first page.
  • If you cannot find a paper copy, you can view your tax return through your IRS online account or contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm your number.
  • Your employer's payroll department or HR office can also provide your Tax ID number if you ask them directly.

Tax returns and W-2 forms are the easiest sources

If you filed a federal tax return in the last few years, that return shows your Tax ID number on the first page. For individuals, it is your Social Security Number printed in the top left corner. For business owners, it is your EIN, also in the top left. You can find a paper copy in your files, or you can view it online through your IRS account.

A W-2 form from your employer is equally straightforward. Your employer sends you a W-2 each January for the previous year's wages. Your Social Security Number appears in the top left corner of the form. If you have any W-2 from the last three years, the number on it is still your Tax ID.

Self-employed people and business owners receive a 1099 form instead. A 1099-NEC (for non-employee compensation) or 1099-MISC (for miscellaneous income) shows your Tax ID number in the same location. If you received any 1099 in the last few years, that number is current.

Create an IRS online account to view your tax return

The IRS website lets you view your tax return history without calling or visiting an office. Go to IRS.gov and select "View your tax account" under the "Individuals" section. You will need to verify your identity using either a photo ID, a mobile phone number, or answers to security questions based on your credit history.

Once you log in, you can see copies of tax returns you filed in the last three years. Your Tax ID number appears on the first page of each return. This method works whether you filed electronically or by mail, and whether you filed recently or several years ago.

If you have never created an IRS account, the setup takes about 10 minutes. You will need your Social Security Number, date of birth, and a valid mailing address on file with the IRS. If you run into trouble during setup, the IRS website has a help section for account creation.

Call the IRS or your employer if you cannot locate documents

The IRS phone line at 1-800-829-1040 can confirm your Tax ID number. You will need to verify your identity by providing your name, date of birth, and address. Wait times are longest during tax season (January through April), but the line is open year-round Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in your local time zone.

Your employer's payroll or human resources department can also tell you your Tax ID number on the spot. Call the main office number and ask for payroll or HR. They will ask you to confirm your name and date of birth, then provide your Social Security Number or the company's EIN if you are asking about the business itself.

If you are self-employed and cannot find your EIN, the IRS can look it up by your name and business address. Have that information ready when you call.

Bank statements and loan documents also show your Tax ID

Your bank may print your Social Security Number on statements or account documents. Check any savings account, checking account, or loan paperwork you have received in the last year. The number usually appears near your name or account number.

Mortgage documents, car loan paperwork, and credit card statements sometimes include your Tax ID number as well. These documents are often easier to find than old tax returns because people tend to keep them in a current file rather than storing them away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my Tax ID number the same as my Social Security Number?

If you work as an individual employee or are self-employed, yes — your Social Security Number is your Tax ID. If you own a business registered as a corporation, partnership, or LLC, your business has a separate Employer Identification Number (EIN) that serves as its Tax ID. You have both numbers, but they are used for different purposes.

What if I lost my Social Security card and cannot remember my number?

You do not need the card itself to find your number. Check any tax return, W-2, bank statement, or loan document from the last few years — your Social Security Number appears on all of them. If you cannot locate any documents, the IRS can confirm it by phone at 1-800-829-1040 after you verify your identity.

Do I need to do anything special to get an EIN for my business?

An EIN is not the same as finding your Tax ID — it is a separate number the IRS issues when you register a business. You request an EIN through the IRS website or by mail, not by looking for an existing number. If your business already has an EIN, you can find it on your business tax returns or by contacting the IRS.

Can I find my Tax ID number on my driver's license or state ID?

No. Your state ID does not contain your Tax ID number. Stick to federal documents like tax returns, W-2 forms, 1099 forms, or your IRS account. Bank statements and loan documents are also reliable sources.