Short answer: The IRS says generally about 4 business days by fax and about 4 weeks by mail, and the real time varies. Past that, ask the IRS before you send anything again. The IRS says to use only one method for each entity.
An EIN is your company’s US tax ID. You sent Form SS-4 to the IRS by fax or mail, and no answer has come back yet. Waiting is hard. Here is what the IRS says, so you know what to do next.
What the IRS says
The Form SS-4 instructions say you can receive an EIN by fax “generally within 4 business days”. They say a mailed answer takes “approximately 4 weeks”. These are the IRS’s figures, not ours, and your real wait can differ. The IRS EIN page says “High inventory levels may result in processing delays”. It links the IRS processing status page. That page lists Form SS-4 as “Processed 4 business days after receipt” by fax and “Processed within 30 days of receipt” on paper. It shows general processing, not your own application. We cannot give you a date, because the IRS decides it.
- 4 business daysIRS: EIN by fax, generally
- About 4 weeksIRS: EIN by mail
- 800-829-4933IRS: business line, for a mailed application's status
- 267-941-1099IRS: apply by phone from abroad, not toll-free
What to do now
- Is it past the IRS's usual time for your method?YesGo to the next question.NoKeep waiting. Keep the form and the send date, or ask whoever sent it for you.
- Are you thinking of sending a second SS-4, or calling 267-941-1099 to apply again?YesPause. The IRS says to use only one method for each entity. Ask the IRS first, as below.NoGood. Go to the next question.
- Did you send the form by mail?YesThe IRS says to call 800-829-4933 to ask about the status of a mailed application.NoYou used fax. The IRS names no status line for faxed forms. Its business line, 800-829-4933, covers EIN questions. Ask there.
- Does the IRS say it has no record of your form?YesAsk it how to go on. Then use one method only, and note the date.NoFollow what the IRS tells you. If it gives you the EIN, write it down at once.
The IRS says: “Use only one method for each entity so you don’t receive more than one EIN for an entity.” The IRS text does not say when a second form is safe. So ask the IRS before you send one.
The IRS lists EINs among the services of its business line. Maybe an EIN was already issued and you cannot find it. The IRS says the line will check your identity first. It gives you the number if you are authorized to receive it. The 800 number may not connect from outside the US. Our Letter 147C guide shows how to reach it.
One possible cause: the IRS says to form your company with the state first. If your form went in before then, “your EIN application may be delayed”. Also, if a return is due before your EIN arrives, write “Applied For” and the date you applied where the number goes. For the full steps, read how to get an EIN for a foreign-owned LLC.
What we do
If you ordered formation with us, we prepare and submit your EIN application to the IRS. Your EIN letter appears in your dashboard when the IRS issues it. State registration and EIN issuance are separate stages, and the IRS issues the EIN on its own schedule. We give no date.
Next step
Have an order with us and a question about it? Write to our team: Contact us.
