Alabama LLC EIN Number — Step 5 of 8
An EIN is your LLC's federal tax ID — and it's free straight from the IRS. Once your Certificate of Formation is approved, this is a quick step: online in minutes if you have an SSN or ITIN, or a short fax/mail process if you're a non-US founder. Here's exactly how to get yours.
An EIN is always free from the IRS. If you have a US SSN or ITIN, apply online at IRS.gov and get your number instantly. Without one, non-US founders complete Form SS-4 and fax or mail it — about 4 business days by fax or 4 weeks by mail. Apply only after your Alabama LLC is approved.
- Cost
- Free
- Issued by
- The IRS
- With SSN/ITIN
- Instant online
- Without SSN/ITIN
- SS-4 fax/mail
- Fax time
- ~4 business days
- Mail time
- ~4 weeks
- Next step
- Step 6 →
What an EIN Is & Why You Need One
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a nine-digit number the IRS assigns to your business for tax purposes. Even if you never hire anyone, you'll almost certainly need one for an Alabama LLC. Here's what it unlocks:
- Opening a business bank account — virtually every bank requires an EIN for an LLC.
- Filing your Business Privilege Tax — Alabama's initial and annual returns need your EIN. See Step 6.
- Hiring employees and handling payroll taxes.
- Keeping your SSN private — you give vendors and platforms the EIN instead of your personal number.
The EIN itself is always freeThe IRS never charges for an EIN. Plenty of websites will offer to "get your EIN" for a fee — they're just filling out the same free form. It's fine to let a formation service handle it as part of a package (especially if you're a non-US founder), but never pay a standalone fee for the number itself.
EIN Application Method Finder
The right way to apply depends on one thing: whether you have a US Social Security Number or ITIN. Answer below to see your fastest route:
How to Apply, Step by Step
- Wait until your LLC is approved. Apply only after Alabama has accepted your Certificate of Formation, so your details match.
- Online (with SSN/ITIN): use the IRS EIN Assistant, Monday–Friday, and you'll get your number instantly at the end.
- By fax/mail (Form SS-4): complete Form SS-4 and submit it — about 4 business days by fax, 4 weeks by mail.
- Save the confirmation letter (CP 575). Your bank and Alabama's tax filings both need it — keep a copy with your records.
EIN vs. ITIN — they're not the sameAn EIN identifies your business; an ITIN identifies an individual for tax purposes. Non-US founders don't need an ITIN to get an EIN — you can apply for the EIN directly by fax or mail, listing "Foreign" where the form asks for the responsible party's SSN/ITIN.
- ✓Forms your Alabama LLC for $39 + the $228 state fees
- ✓Can obtain your EIN — even without an SSN
- ✓Free Alabama registered agent the first year
- ✓No upsells · No data selling · Privacy by Default
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Alabama LLC EIN — FAQ
Ahmad Adil is the founder and CEO of LLC School. The guidance here — that an EIN is always free from the IRS, the online-instant path for SSN/ITIN holders, the SS-4 fax/mail route for non-US founders, and the EIN-vs-ITIN distinction — reflects current IRS guidance. This is educational information, not tax advice.
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