Colorado LLC EIN Number — Step 5 of 8
An EIN is your LLC's federal tax ID — free from the IRS, required for opening a business bank account and hiring employees. How you apply depends entirely on whether you have a U.S. Social Security Number.
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is always free from the IRS. If you have an SSN or ITIN, apply online at IRS.gov and get your EIN instantly. If you don't have either — common for non-U.S. founders — you'll fax or mail Form SS-4 instead, which takes about 4 business days by fax or up to 4–5 weeks by mail. Never pay a third party for something the IRS gives away for free.
- Cost
- Free
- Issued by
- IRS
- With SSN/ITIN
- Instant online
- Without SSN/ITIN
- Form SS-4 fax/mail
- Fax processing
- ~4 business days
- Mail processing
- ~4–5 weeks
- Next step
- Step 6 →
What Is an EIN?
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit federal tax ID issued by the IRS — think of it as a Social Security Number for your business. Nearly every Colorado LLC needs one:
- Required to open a business bank account — nearly every bank asks for one, even single-member LLCs.
- Required to hire employees — used for payroll tax reporting and withholding.
- Needed for multi-member LLCs — required to file the partnership return (Form 1065).
- Keeps your SSN private — even solo owners often get one to avoid giving out their personal SSN to clients or vendors.
EIN Method Finder
Your application path depends entirely on one thing — whether you have a U.S. Social Security Number or ITIN:
How to Apply
- Wait until your LLC is approved — file your Articles of Organization first; you'll need your approved formation date and legal name for the EIN application.
- Go directly to IRS.gov — search "apply for an EIN online" and confirm you're on the official IRS.gov domain before entering any information.
- Complete the session in one sitting — the online assistant doesn't save progress, so have your LLC details ready before you start.
- Save your confirmation letter (CP 575) — this is your only official proof of your EIN; the IRS won't re-mail it later.
An EIN is always free — never pay for oneSome third-party websites charge $50–$300 to "process" your EIN application, then simply submit the same free IRS form on your back. If a site asks for payment before giving you an EIN, close the tab — the real IRS application is entirely free, whether you apply online or by fax/mail.
- ✓Can obtain your EIN even without an SSN
- ✓Forms your Colorado LLC for $39 + the $50 state fee
- ✓Free Colorado registered agent the first year
- ✓No upsells · No data selling · Privacy by Default
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Colorado LLC EIN — FAQ
Ahmad Adil is the founder and CEO of LLC School. The guidance here — the free EIN process, the SSN/ITIN online path, and the Form SS-4 fax/mail alternative — reflects current IRS.gov guidance. This is educational information, not legal or tax advice.
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