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Texas LLC · Step 5 of 8 · Verified June 2026

Get Your Texas LLC EIN Number — Step 5 of 8

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your LLC's federal tax ID — like a Social Security number for your business. You'll need it to open a bank account, file taxes, and hire employees. The best part: it's completely free directly from the IRS, and if you have an SSN you can get it online in minutes.

Ahmad Adil Written & verified by Ahmad Adil, LLC School·Updated June 2026
Quick Answer

Get your Texas LLC's EIN free from the IRS at IRS.gov — never pay a third party for the number itself. If you have an SSN or ITIN, apply online and receive it immediately. If you don't have one, apply by fax (about 4 business days) or mail using Form SS-4. Apply only after your Certificate of Formation is approved, so the IRS matches your EIN to an existing LLC.

Step 5 — Fast Facts
Cost
$0 — free at IRS.gov
Online (with SSN)
Immediate
Fax (no SSN)
~4 business days
Mail
~4 weeks
Form
SS-4
Apply when
After LLC approved
Issued by
IRS (not Texas)
Next step
Step 6 →

What Is an EIN and Why Your Texas LLC Needs One

An EIN — Employer Identification Number, also called a Federal Tax ID — is a nine-digit number the IRS assigns to your business. Think of it as a Social Security number for your LLC. It's issued by the federal government, not the state of Texas, so this step is the same no matter which state you formed in.

Almost every Texas LLC needs one. You'll use your EIN to:

  • Open a business bank account — virtually every bank requires it.
  • File federal and state taxes for the business.
  • Hire employees and handle payroll.
  • Apply for licenses, permits, and credit in the business's name.
  • Keep your SSN private — use the EIN on W-9s instead of your personal number.

Never pay for an EINThe EIN itself is 100% free directly from the IRS. Sites that charge $50–$300 are just filling out a free form for you. The only legitimate cost is if you hire a service to obtain one because you don't have an SSN — and even then, you're paying for the service, not the number.

When to Apply (Timing Matters)

Apply for your EIN only after your Texas LLC is approved — that is, after your Certificate of Formation (Step 3) is accepted by the Secretary of State. If you get an EIN before your LLC officially exists, the IRS could tie the number to the wrong entity type, creating a headache to fix later.

Once your LLC is approved, getting the EIN takes just a few minutes online. Do it before you head to the bank.

Business owner applying for a Texas LLC EIN on the IRS website

Which EIN Application Method Should You Use?

How you apply depends mainly on whether you have a U.S. SSN or ITIN. Answer these and get your route:

EIN Application Method Finder
3 questions · online vs fax vs mail
1. Do you (the responsible party) have a U.S. SSN or ITIN?
2. Is your Texas LLC already approved by the Secretary of State?
3. How quickly do you need the EIN?

The Three Ways to Apply

Online

Immediate

Requires an SSN or ITIN. Apply on the IRS website Mon–Fri and get your EIN instantly at the end. The fastest, easiest route for most owners.

Fax

~4 business days

For applicants without an SSN/ITIN. Fax a completed Form SS-4 to the IRS; they fax your EIN back, usually within four business days.

Mail

~4 weeks

Also for those without an SSN/ITIN, and the slowest option. Mail Form SS-4 to the IRS and wait roughly four weeks for your EIN letter.

How to Apply Online (With an SSN/ITIN)

Apply for an EIN — Official IRS Portal100% free · issued immediately · available Mon–Fri, 7am–10pm ET
Apply on IRS.gov
  1. Go to the IRS EIN Assistant on IRS.gov (the official link above).
  2. Select Limited Liability Company as your entity type and enter the number of members.
  3. Choose Texas as the state where the LLC is located.
  4. Enter the responsible party's name and SSN or ITIN (usually you, the owner).
  5. Provide your LLC's legal name, address, and start date.
  6. Submit and download your EIN confirmation letter (CP 575) immediately — save it.

One EIN per responsible party per dayThe IRS limits you to one EIN per responsible party per day, and the online session must be finished in one sitting (it times out after ~15 minutes of inactivity). Have your details ready before you start.

No SSN? Foreign Owners Can Still Get an EIN

You do not need a Social Security number to get an EIN for your Texas LLC. Non-U.S. residents and owners without an SSN can still apply — you just can't use the online tool. Instead, complete Form SS-4 and submit it by fax (about four business days) or mail (about four weeks).

On the form, you'll leave the SSN/ITIN field for the responsible party blank or write "Foreign," depending on the situation. An ITIN is not required to get an EIN, and the two are different numbers. If you'd rather not deal with the fax process, a formation service can obtain the EIN on your behalf.

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Disclosure: LLC School may earn a commission via this link, at no cost to you. The EIN itself is always free directly from the IRS. See our advertising disclosure.

Ahmad Adil's Take: If you have an SSN, skip every paid "EIN service" and go straight to IRS.gov — you'll have your number in under ten minutes for free. The only time paying makes sense is if you're a non-US founder without an SSN and don't want to deal with faxing Form SS-4 to the IRS and waiting. In that one case, having Northwest handle it alongside your formation is worth the convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions

Texas LLC EIN — FAQ

Is an EIN free for a Texas LLC?
Yes — completely free directly from the IRS at IRS.gov. The IRS never charges for an EIN. Websites that charge $50–$300 are simply completing the free application for you. The only legitimate reason to pay is hiring a service to obtain one when you don't have an SSN, and even then you're paying for the help, not the number.
Do I need an EIN for a single-member Texas LLC?
Technically, a single-member LLC with no employees can use the owner's SSN for federal taxes — but you should still get an EIN. Nearly every bank requires one to open a business account, and using an EIN instead of your SSN on tax forms keeps your personal number private. It's free, so there's no reason not to.
Can I get an EIN without a Social Security number?
Yes. You don't need an SSN or ITIN to get an EIN. Non-US residents and owners without an SSN apply by fax (about four business days) or mail (about four weeks) using Form SS-4 — you just can't use the online tool. A formation service can also obtain it for you.
How long does it take to get an EIN?
If you apply online with an SSN or ITIN, you receive it immediately at the end of the session. By fax, it's about four business days. By mail, roughly four weeks. Online is by far the fastest and is available Monday through Friday.
Should I get my EIN before or after forming my LLC?
After. Wait until your Texas Certificate of Formation is approved before applying for the EIN. Getting it first can cause the IRS to associate the number with the wrong entity, which is a hassle to correct. Once your LLC is official, apply right away — you'll need the EIN to open your bank account.
What is the "responsible party" on the EIN application?
The responsible party is the individual who ultimately controls the LLC — for a single-owner LLC, that's you. The IRS uses this person's name and SSN/ITIN (if they have one) to identify who's accountable for the entity. Only one EIN can be issued per responsible party per day.
Is an EIN the same as a Texas tax ID?
No. The EIN is a federal number from the IRS. Texas has its own state-level identifiers — for example, a Texas taxpayer number for franchise tax and a sales tax permit number if you sell taxable goods. You may need both: the federal EIN here in Step 5, and Texas registrations covered in Step 6 and Step 7.
Ahmad Adil, founder of LLC School
About the Author
Ahmad Adil

Ahmad Adil is the founder and CEO of LLC School. The EIN process on this page reflects current IRS guidance for applying online, by fax, and by mail with Form SS-4, including the rules for applicants without an SSN. LLC School updates its guides whenever the IRS changes its process.

About Ahmad Adil → EIN Guide →
Up Next · Step 6 of 8
Franchise Tax & PIR
Texas has no income tax, but most LLCs file an annual franchise tax report and Public Information Report.
Step 6: Franchise Tax
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