How to Get an EIN in Washington

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit tax ID issued by the Internal Revenue Service. Even if you never hire employees, you'll need one for most Washington business structures. It's free, takes 15 minutes to apply for online, and the IRS issues it immediately in most cases.

This guide walks you through the exact process, what you need before applying, and how an EIN fits into your overall Washington business registration. This is informational content, not legal or tax advice. Consult a tax professional or attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

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Do You Need an EIN in Washington?

Short answer: probably yes. You need an EIN if your business structure is any of these:

LLC with more than one member
Corporation (C-corp or S-corp)
Partnership of any kind
Nonprofit organization
Trust or estate with business income
Any business that will have employees

You need an EIN even if you're a single-member LLC, because Washington's tax system treats it as a separate entity for B&O tax purposes. A sole proprietorship filing under your own name does not need an EIN unless you plan to hire employees, but getting one is harmless and often simpler than managing accounts under your Social Security Number.

Washington has no state income tax and no corporate income tax. You will, however, owe the state Business and Occupation (B&O) tax, which is a gross receipts tax. The EIN is your federal identifier; the state Business License (with its nine-digit Unified Business Identifier, or UBI) is separate. You'll handle both registrations, but they're independent.

What You Need Before Applying

Gather these materials before you start. You won't upload documents, but you'll need the information handy:

Your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
The legal name of your business exactly as it appears on your formation documents (or will appear)
Your business mailing address (does not have to be a physical street address for online filing)
A business phone number
Your business structure type (LLC, corporation, partnership, etc.)
The date your business began or will begin operations
Your principal business activity (what you actually do)
If you've already filed with the Washington Secretary of State, your formation date

That's it. The application is straightforward and takes less than 15 minutes.

How to Apply for an EIN: Three Methods

Method 1: Online (Fastest and Easiest)

The IRS's online application at https://www.irs.gov/ein is the fastest path. You'll answer questions about your business structure, ownership, and activities. The system confirms your information and issues your EIN immediately. You can print your confirmation or have it emailed to you. No waiting, no phone calls.

Step 1: Go to https://www.irs.gov/ein and select "Apply Online Now."

Step 2: Choose your entity type from the dropdown. If you've already filed with the Washington Secretary of State and have a formation document, select the type that matches (LLC, Corporation, etc.). If you haven't filed yet, select your intended structure.

Step 3: Enter the legal business name exactly as it appears (or will appear) on your Secretary of State filing. Capitalization and punctuation matter. If you're using a trade name (doing business as), enter the legal entity name here. You'll add the DBA separately on your Washington business license.

Step 4: Enter your principal business activity. The IRS wants to know what your business actually does. "Retail" is too broad. "Retail specialty foods" is better. "Retail coffee roasting and sale" is precise. Use plain English, not jargon.

Step 5: Provide your mailing address. This can be a PO Box, a physical street address, or a virtual office address. The IRS uses this to mail your EIN confirmation if you don't print it immediately.

Step 6: Enter the business phone number. This is a callback number if the IRS has questions. It does not have to be a dedicated business line.

Step 7: Review your information and submit. The system will display your nine-digit EIN immediately. Write it down, take a screenshot, and save the confirmation PDF.

Method 2: By Phone

If you prefer to speak to someone, call the IRS at 1-800-829-4933 (Business and Specialty Tax Line) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Have your information ready as listed above. You'll be assigned an EIN on the call. They'll mail a confirmation within two weeks, but you can start using the number immediately once it's issued verbally.

Method 3: By Mail

Mail Form SS-4 (Application for Employer Identification Number) to the IRS Service Center for your region. For Washington, send it to the Cincinnati IRS Service Center. You can download the form at https://www.irs.gov/forms. Processing by mail takes 2 to 4 weeks. Mail this method only if online and phone are not options.

Processing Times and When You'll Get Your EIN

Online approval is instant. You'll have your EIN before you leave the IRS website. If you call, you get it on the phone. If you mail the form, expect 2 to 4 weeks for processing and mailed confirmation.

You can start using your EIN immediately, even before you file with the Washington Secretary of State. Many businesses apply for the EIN first, then use it on their LLC or corporation formation documents. This is fine and actually common.

What Happens After You Get Your EIN

Your EIN is now active. Here's what comes next in Washington:

1. File with the Washington Secretary of State (If You Haven't)

If you formed an LLC or corporation, you must file a formation document with the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division. Visit https://ccfs.sos.wa.gov/ (the Corporations and Charities Filing System) to file online. This is separate from the EIN. Include your new EIN on the formation document if you have it, or add it later via amendment. LLC formation costs $180. Corporation formation also costs $180.

2. Apply for Your Washington Business License

Next, register for a Washington Business License with the Department of Revenue. This gives you a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number and activates your account for B&O tax purposes. Visit https://dor.wa.gov/open-business/apply-business-license. The application fee is $50 to open a new business. Online processing takes about 10 business days.

You'll need your EIN and your Secretary of State formation number (if applicable). Washington has no corporate income tax, but virtually every business pays the B&O tax, a gross receipts tax with more than 50 activity classifications. Sole proprietors and LLCs file under the appropriate B&O classification for their industry.

3. Get a Sales Tax Permit (If Selling Tangible Goods or Taxable Services)

If you sell physical products or certain services, you need a sales tax permit. Washington's state sales tax is 6.5%, plus local city and county taxes that can add 2 to 4 percent more. Apply when you register for your business license, or through the same Department of Revenue portal.

Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using your Social Security Number instead of an EIN. Even a single-member LLC should use an EIN for banking and accounting. Using your SSN blurs the line between personal and business finances and creates tax complexity.

Mistake 2: Applying before you've decided your business structure. Changing your structure after you get an EIN requires amending your registration. You can't "convert" an EIN. If you change from sole proprietor to LLC, you may need a new EIN. Apply after you've finalized your legal structure.

Mistake 3: Misspelling the business name or entering it differently than your Secretary of State filing. The IRS doesn't validate your name against Washington records, but discrepancies make accounting and tax filing harder. Type carefully.

Mistake 4: Forgetting that EIN is separate from business licensing. Getting an EIN does not register you in Washington. You still need to file with the Secretary of State (if forming an LLC or corporation) and apply for a Business License. The EIN is just the federal tax ID.

Mistake 5: Delaying your business license application. The state business license activates your B&O tax account and is required if you have employees, operate under a DBA, or have over $12,000 in annual gross income. Delaying this creates tax compliance gaps. Apply within 30 days of receiving your EIN.

Special Situations in Washington

Foreign LLC or Corporation (out-of-state entity doing business in Washington): You can get an EIN for a business formed in another state. File a Foreign LLC Registration or Foreign Corporation Registration with the Washington Secretary of State first, then apply for the EIN using your out-of-state formation date and number.

Nonprofit Organization: Nonprofits always need an EIN. The application is the same, but you'll select "Nonprofit" as your entity type. After you get your EIN, apply for 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (Form 1023 or 1023-EZ), and register with the Washington Attorney General's Charities Program.

Sole Proprietor without Employees: Technically optional, but recommended. An EIN lets you open a business bank account and separate your finances from personal funds. It's free and takes 15 minutes.

Multiple Businesses under One Owner: Each business structure needs its own EIN. A sole proprietor running two separate activities should get two EINs if they're legally distinct (two separate LLCs, for example). If they're just one business with multiple revenue streams, one EIN covers both.

After You Have Your EIN

Your EIN stays active and never expires. Once issued, it's yours to use for the life of the business. When you hire your first employee, provide your EIN to them for tax withholding. When you file taxes, use the EIN on every business tax return. When you open a business bank account, provide the EIN to your bank.

Keep your EIN safe. It's a business identifier, not as sensitive as an SSN, but treat it with care. Use it on official business documents and tax filings only.

Key Takeaways

Most Washington business structures (LLC, corporation, partnership) require an EIN.
Apply online at https://www.irs.gov/ein for instant approval.
The application is free and takes less than 15 minutes.
You get your EIN immediately when filing online, or on the phone if you call.
After you have your EIN, file with the Washington Secretary of State and apply for a Business License and UBI.
An EIN is your federal tax identifier separate from your state business registration.
Use your EIN for banking, payroll, and all business tax filings going forward.

Disclaimer: This article is informational only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Business formation requirements and tax obligations vary by situation. Consult a qualified attorney or CPA for guidance specific to your business structure and activities.