Feeling a little lost trying to track down that elusive Employer Identification Number (EIN) within TurboTax? Don't worry, you're not alone! Many users find themselves in this exact situation, whether they're trying to re-verify information, prepare for another tax year, or simply need it for other business purposes. While TurboTax is fantastic for simplifying tax filing, it's not a direct repository for your EIN in the same way the IRS is. However, there are definitely ways to find it, and we're here to guide you every step of the way!
Let's dive in and demystify the process.
How to Find Your EIN When Using TurboTax: A Comprehensive Guide
An Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Federal Tax Identification Number (TIN), is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify a business entity. It's essentially the business equivalent of a Social Security Number (SSN). You'll need it for various reasons, including filing business tax returns, opening a business bank account, and hiring employees.
While TurboTax helps you use your EIN to file your taxes, it generally doesn't store it for retrieval in a way that allows you to simply "look it up" within the program after you've filed. Think of TurboTax as the vehicle for your tax return, not the long-term storage facility for all your business's identifying numbers.
So, where can you find it? Let's break it down.
Step 1: Start with Your W-2 or Other Official Tax Documents
This is the quickest and most common way to find an EIN.
Action: Do you have your W-2 forms from your employer(s) readily available? If you're looking for your employer's EIN (as an employee), this is your primary source. If you're looking for your business's EIN, you'll need to look at documents related to your business.
Sub-heading: For Employees (Finding Your Employer's EIN)
If you're an employee trying to find your employer's EIN (for instance, if you're manually entering W-2 information into TurboTax or correcting an e-file rejection), your W-2 is the first place to check.
Box B on your W-2: Look for a nine-digit number with a dash after the first two digits (XX-XXXXXXX). This is your employer's EIN. It's typically located near your employer's name and address.
Previous Year's W-2: If you're still working for the same employer, their EIN will be consistent from year to year. Check a prior year's W-2 form if you have one.
Sub-heading: For Business Owners (Finding Your Business's EIN)
If you're a business owner (sole proprietor, LLC, partnership, corporation) and need your own business's EIN, consider these sources:
Your EIN Confirmation Letter (CP 575): When you first applied for your EIN, the IRS sent you an official confirmation letter (Form CP 575). This letter definitively states your EIN. If you have this document, you've found your EIN!
Previous Business Tax Returns: Your business's EIN will be listed on any federal tax returns you've filed (e.g., Form 1040 Schedule C for sole proprietors, Form 1120 for corporations, Form 1065 for partnerships, Form 1120-S for S-corps).
TurboTax Online: If you used TurboTax Online to file a previous business return, you can log in to your account and download or print past returns.
TurboTax Desktop/CD: If you used the desktop software, your tax file should be saved on your computer. Open the prior year's return to view the EIN.
Business Documents and Applications: Any legal or financial document related to your business might have your EIN listed. This includes:
Bank account statements for your business.
Loan applications.
State business registration documents.
Business licenses.
Payroll forms (if you have employees and handle payroll).
1099-NEC or 1099-MISC forms you issued to contractors (if you are the payer, your EIN would be listed).
Step 2: Contact Your Employer (If You're an Employee)
Action: If you don't have your W-2 or can't locate it, the easiest next step is to directly ask your employer.
If you're an employee and can't find your W-2 or the EIN on it, reach out to your employer's payroll department, human resources (HR), or accounting department. They can easily provide you with their EIN or a duplicate W-2. This is often much faster than contacting the IRS directly.
Step 3: Access TurboTax for Previous Tax Returns (If Applicable)
Action: If you filed your business taxes with TurboTax previously, your filed returns contain your EIN.
Sub-heading: For TurboTax Online Users
Log In: Go to the TurboTax website and sign in to your account. Make sure you use the same User ID you used when you filed the return in question.
Access Past Returns:
Once logged in, look for a section like "Your tax returns & documents" or "Documents."
You should see a list of tax years. Select the year for which you need the EIN.
Look for an option to "Download tax PDF" or "Print return."
Locate EIN on PDF: Open the downloaded PDF of your tax return. For a business return (e.g., Schedule C for sole proprietors, Form 1120 for corporations), your EIN will be prominently displayed in the header or specific business information sections. For personal returns, the employer EIN would be on the W-2 section.
Sub-heading: For TurboTax Desktop/CD Users
Open the Software: Launch the TurboTax desktop software for the relevant tax year.
Open Your Return: Open the tax file you saved on your computer for the year you're looking for. These files usually have a
.taxextension (e.g.,MyBusiness2023.tax).Navigate to Business Information: Once the return is open, navigate to the business information section. For Schedule C, it would be within the "Business Income and Expenses" section. For other business forms (1120, 1065), it will be on the main form itself. Your EIN will be displayed there.
Step 4: Contact the IRS Directly (As a Last Resort)
Action: If all else fails, the IRS can provide your EIN, but be prepared for a verification process and potential wait times.
The IRS maintains records of all issued EINs. However, they will only provide this information to authorized individuals for the business.
IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line: Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933. This line is typically available Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM local time.
Verification: Be prepared to verify your identity and your association with the business. They will ask for identifying information such as your name, Social Security Number, business name, business address, and the reason you need the EIN.
Who can call? This usually includes a sole proprietor, a partner in a partnership, a corporate officer, or a trustee of a trust.
Wait Times: Be aware that IRS phone lines can have long wait times, especially during tax season.
Important Considerations
TurboTax Does Not Store EINs Separately: It's crucial to understand that TurboTax itself does not have a separate database where it stores your EIN for you to look up like an online directory. When you input your EIN into TurboTax, it's used to populate your tax forms, and those forms are then saved as your return. The EIN is part of your saved tax return, not a standalone piece of information within your TurboTax account that you can just pull up without opening a return.
Security and Privacy: For security and privacy reasons, TurboTax and the IRS are very careful about who can access an EIN. It's considered sensitive business identification information.
No Public EIN Database: There is no publicly accessible database where you can simply look up a company's EIN. This is to protect business privacy and prevent fraud.
By following these steps, you should be able to successfully locate the EIN you need!
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about finding an EIN, with quick answers:
How to find my own business's EIN if I lost the confirmation letter?
Check previous business tax returns filed with the IRS, as your EIN will be listed on them. You can also look through business bank statements, loan applications, or other official business documents.
How to get an EIN if I'm starting a new business?
You can apply for an EIN directly through the IRS website (IRS.gov). The online application is the fastest method, and you'll usually receive your EIN immediately.
How to find an employer's EIN if I don't have my W-2?
The quickest way is to contact your employer's payroll or HR department and ask them directly. They can provide the EIN or a duplicate W-2.
How to retrieve an EIN from a prior year's TurboTax return (online version)?
Log in to your TurboTax Online account, navigate to "Your tax returns & documents," select the relevant tax year, and download the PDF of your return. The EIN will be on the appropriate tax form (e.g., W-2, Schedule C).
How to retrieve an EIN from a prior year's TurboTax return (desktop/CD version)?
Open the TurboTax desktop software for the tax year in question and open your saved tax file (.tax extension). The EIN will be visible on the relevant tax forms within your return.
How to find an EIN if my e-file was rejected due to an EIN mismatch?
Double-check the EIN entered in TurboTax against your physical W-2 form. Ensure it's entered exactly as it appears on the W-2, including any dashes. If the W-2 is incorrect, you'll need to contact your employer.
How to find the EIN for a company that is publicly traded?
For publicly traded companies, you might find their EIN on their annual report (Form 10-K) filed with the SEC. Search for "Form 10-K [Company Name]" online. The EIN is usually on the first page.
How to get an EIN for a non-profit organization?
Non-profit organizations also need an EIN. You apply for it in the same way as other businesses, through the IRS website, using Form SS-4.
How to verify an EIN for another business I'm working with?
Generally, you cannot directly look up another business's EIN due to privacy. The most straightforward way is to ask the business owner or an authorized representative for their EIN, explaining why you need it (e.g., for 1099 reporting).
How to proceed with filing if I absolutely cannot find an EIN?
If you're an employee and cannot find your employer's EIN, you may need to file a paper return instead of e-filing, as the EIN is required for e-filing. If you're a business owner and cannot locate your own EIN, contacting the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line is your best course of action.
