Have You Lost Your EIN number?
It is not uncommon for business owners to misplace their EIN number, also known as an Employer Identification Number or Federal Tax ID Number. If you forgot or lost your EIN, we recommend a few helpful avenues that can help you to avoid long waits.
First, did you use a service such as Harvard Business Services? If so, it may be easiest to reach out to them, and ask them to resend your EIN. In most cases, Harvard Business Services and any other EIN service will forward your federal tax ID number only to the current contact email on file. This is for your protection. If you did not use an EIN service to obtain your EIN, then a service such as Harvard Business Services would likely not have your EIN on file. Typically, a registered agent service has your lost EIN number only if they obtained it for you.
Second, did you go straight to the IRS to obtain your EIN? If so, call the Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. The hours of operation are usually 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday. Someone on the phone will ask you certifying questions to prove that you are the responsible party, and have authority to receive the number. As long as your answers check out, you can be given the lost employer identification number right there on the phone. Some clients hesitate to call the IRS due to the high call volume that the IRS receives. Some clients report waiting on hold for an hour or more before getting to speak with a live person. If you’ve waited on hold with the IRS due to high call volume, there are other avenues to explore.
Other places to look for your lost EIN number include your email, your tax documents, or your bank. You may have an automated response from the IRS in your email from when you initially obtained it. Try to remember the time frame in which you may have obtained your EIN number, and search your emails around that time. If you have had the EIN long enough to file taxes, check your tax documents. Your federal tax ID number can be easily accessed on many tax forms. You can also ask your accountant, as they may keep a record of it. If you opened a bank account for the business, the bank will keep your EIN on file. The EIN is often the first thing the bank will ask you for when opening a business account.
If you have never obtained an EIN number, Harvard Business Services is happy to assist you. Your company's EIN number allows you to lawfully conduct business activities, especially in the United States, as well as open a U.S. bank account, obtain loans, hire employees and more. An EIN number can be obtained in a few business days for clients with a US Social Security number, and 20 business days for clients without a US Social Security number. For more information about obtaining an EIN number for your company, call us or proceed through our website by clicking this link.
For any other questions, please visit delawareinc.com or call Harvard Business Services at 1-800-345-2677.
*Disclaimer*: Harvard Business Services, Inc. is neither a law firm nor an accounting firm and, even in cases where the author is an attorney, or a tax professional, nothing in this article constitutes legal or tax advice. This article provides general commentary on, and analysis of, the subject addressed. We strongly advise that you consult an attorney or tax professional to receive legal or tax guidance tailored to your specific circumstances. Any action taken or not taken based on this article is at your own risk. If an article cites or provides a link to third-party sources or websites, Harvard Business Services, Inc. is not responsible for and makes no representations regarding such source’s content or accuracy. Opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Harvard Business Services, Inc.