# EIN # Lookup? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 29, 2006, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ein-lookup/342050 "2006-01-29T05:05:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![inkleberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2006, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ein-lookup/342050/1 "2006-01-29T05:05:50Z")
Is it possible to find an employer’s EIN number online? I found several resources for nonprofit lookup, but haven’t found one for regular businesses. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2006, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ein-lookup/342050/2 "2006-01-29T06:19:47Z")
> [@inkleberry](#): > > Is it possible to find an employer’s EIN number online? I found several resources for nonprofit lookup, but haven’t found one for regular businesses. I know what mine is 39-1… no nevermind… Why do you need it, if you have some legit reason for needing in a business will give it to you if you call and ask. (A legit reason being that you’re planning to purchase things from them or you plan to buy items from them and tax exemption comes into play) But since it’s basically the company’s SSN, they don’t just hand it out because you’re curious. Although (depending on the business) if you go in and they have all their permits posted on a wall somewhere you may be able to find it there, but maybe not. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2006, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ein-lookup/342050/3 "2006-01-29T06:27:36Z")
I can see what business the IRS has in knowing it. I can’t imagine what business you have in knowing it. For many small businesses, the number is the owner’s actual SSN. Just the fact that someone would want to know that raises a big red flag. Trying to get more efficient in identity theft? ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2006, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ein-lookup/342050/4 "2006-01-29T06:40:18Z")
I’m sorry, I guess that was little curt, and I don’t mean to accuse you of anything or insinuate evil motives. But I think you can understand why you’re not likely to find that info online. I suspect only a fool would make it available that way. ---
**Author:** ![DrLoveGun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@DrLoveGun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrLoveGun)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2006, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ein-lookup/342050/5 "2006-01-29T06:41:46Z")
While the concept of **Inkleberry** being a criminal mastermind is an interesting one, I believe she is trying to figure out taxes. We are waiting for W-2’s and she has the patience of a flea. Of course she would be much cooler if she were an evil genius. But alas, she is just the regular kind. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2006, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ein-lookup/342050/6 "2006-01-29T06:46:25Z")
Give her a break. You need to know it for filling out tax forms. It’s right on your w2 or 1099. If your w2 or 1099 is missing and you have all your other info, you need the EIN to finish your forms. Inkleberry did you try this site? [http://www.freeerisa.com/Extras/EINFinder.asp?mode=SEARCH](http://www.freeerisa.com/Extras/EINFinder.asp?mode=SEARCH) ---
**Author:** ![inkleberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2006, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ein-lookup/342050/7 "2006-01-29T06:46:54Z")
> [@Gary T](#): > > I’m sorry, I guess that was little curt, and I don’t mean to accuse you of anything or insinuate evil motives. But I think you can understand why you’re not likely to find that info online. I suspect only a fool would make it available that way. I’m not evil so much as wanting to finish my taxes. I wait all year to enjoy a nice set of tax forms\*, and it seriously bugs when one frickin’ W2 is stuck out there in the mail. Especially since I’m _almost_ done and I’ve already done all the fun parts- itemizing deductions and such. I figured if you can easily & legally find nonprofit EINs, then you should be able to find for-profit EINs. \*No, seriously, I like to do taxes. I get all excited in January because it means it’s almost time for W2s to arrive. ---
**Author:** ![inkleberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2006, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ein-lookup/342050/8 "2006-01-29T07:07:35Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Give her a break. You need to know it for filling out tax forms. It’s right on your w2 or 1099. If your w2 or 1099 is missing and you have all your other info, you need the EIN to finish your forms. > > Inkleberry did you try this site? [http://www.freeerisa.com/Extras/EINFinder.asp?mode=SEARCH](http://www.freeerisa.com/Extras/EINFinder.asp?mode=SEARCH) Site good, tax import failed. Very sad. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2006, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ein-lookup/342050/9 "2006-01-29T07:11:11Z")
> [@inkleberry](#): > > I’m not evil so much as wanting to finish my taxes. I wait all year to enjoy a nice set of tax forms\*, and it seriously bugs when one frickin’ W2 is stuck out there in the mail. Especially since I’m _almost_ done and I’ve already done all the fun parts- itemizing deductions and such. I figured if you can easily & legally find nonprofit EINs, then you should be able to find for-profit EINs. > > \*No, seriously, I like to do taxes. I get all excited in January because it means it’s almost time for W2s to arrive. Ditto for me, but I get to have even more fun, I do payroll, so after that last paycheck for the year is cut, I print out MY W-2 and get started. (BTW I only use that for reference, I don’t assume it’s correct until our accountant has checked out the books although it usually is)