Pen, notebook and reading glasses on a wooden table, How to Get an EIN in Missouri

How to Get an EIN in Missouri

Last verified: November 4, 2026

Apply for your Missouri EIN yourself, on the IRS website, for nothing. The IRS issues the number on screen when the application is approved, and it states that you never have to pay a fee for one. Anyone charging you for the same form is selling convenience, not a different number.

The part Missouri owners miss is what comes next: an EIN does not register you with the Missouri Department of Revenue. That is a second, separate step, covered below.

Do You Need an EIN Yet?

The IRS lists who needs an EIN: businesses with employees, businesses that pay employment or excise taxes, anyone who withholds tax on non-wage income paid to a nonresident alien, and entities such as partnerships, LLCs and corporations. See the IRS page on employer ID numbers for the full list.

  • LLCs, corporations and partnerships: get one. The IRS lists these entity types as needing an EIN.
  • Anyone hiring in Missouri: get one before the first payroll.
  • Sole proprietors with no employees: none of the IRS triggers apply, so you can use your Social Security number for federal purposes. The IRS says you can still request an EIN for banking or state tax purposes. Our advice is to get one anyway: it is free, and it keeps your Social Security number off vendor forms and W-9s.

One limit: if you plan to form an LLC or corporation, file with the Missouri Secretary of State first. The IRS tells applicants creating a corporation or LLC to form the entity through the secretary of state before applying. Our Missouri LLC guide covers that filing, and the corporation guide covers the other route. If you want help with the filing, see our comparison of Missouri LLC services.

What to Have Ready Before You Apply

The online application cannot be saved, and it expires after 15 minutes of inactivity, so collect everything first:

  • Legal name: exactly as on your Missouri Secretary of State business entity record, or your own name for a sole proprietorship. The IRS accepts only letters, numbers, hyphens and ampersands in the name field.
  • Responsible party: the person who controls the business, with their Social Security number or ITIN. The online tool requires one.
  • Address: a street address in the United States. The IRS allows 35 characters, so use standard USPS abbreviations.
  • Entity type, start date and activity: the structure you filed, when operations begin and a short description of what you sell or do.
  • Employees: how many you expect to have, if any.

Step-by-Step: Apply Online With the IRS

Step 1: Check the Hours and Eligibility

The IRS online EIN application runs Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Eastern, Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern, and Sunday from 6 p.m. to midnight Eastern. The entity must be formed in the United States or a U.S. territory, and the applicant must be the responsible party or an authorized representative.

Step 2: Complete the Application in One Sitting

Enter the responsible party, the legal name and address, the entity type, and the start date and activity. Each responsible party can apply for only one EIN per day, so a typo you submit cannot be fixed by applying again the same day.

Step 3: Save the Confirmation

If the application is approved, the IRS issues the EIN immediately online. Print the confirmation letter and store it with your formation documents. You can use the number right away to open a bank account or apply for business licenses. The IRS says it can take up to two weeks before the number works for e-filing a return or making electronic tax deposits.

Apply by Fax or Mail Instead

Use paper only if you cannot apply online. Complete Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number (revision 12/2025). Per the IRS:

  • Fax: 855-641-6935. If you include a fax number, the IRS faxes back a cover sheet with the EIN in about 4 business days.
  • Mail: Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999. Expect the EIN in about 4 weeks.
  • Phone: not an option for Missouri-based businesses. The IRS lists phone applications for international applicants only.

After the EIN: What Missouri Requires

Register With the Missouri Department of Revenue

Use the Missouri Department of Revenue business registration to add the tax types that apply to you: sales tax, vendor's use tax, consumer's use tax, withholding tax, unemployment tax and corporate income tax. DOR says to allow 2 to 3 business days, and it shows no registration fee. The page notes you may need a federal EIN, which is why you apply with the IRS first.

Do not skip this to save time. The Department of Revenue registration FAQ says retail sales without a Missouri sales tax license carry a $500 penalty for the first day and $100 for each day after, up to $10,000.

Check Local Licensing

Missouri's Secretary of State states that business licenses are obtained from the local governmental authority and that its office does not issue them. Ask your city or county license office before you open.

If You Hire

Mistakes That Cost Time

  • Applying before the LLC exists. The IRS wants the entity formed first, and a name that differs from the state record creates mismatches at your bank.
  • Treating the EIN as state registration. It is not. File with the Department of Revenue separately.
  • Paying a third-party site. The IRS warns about websites that charge for an EIN.
  • Re-applying after a change. The IRS says you do not need a new EIN to change your business name, address or responsible party. Report an address or responsible party change on Form 8822-B within 60 days.
  • Losing the number. Check the IRS notice, your bank records and past returns. If you still cannot find it, the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line is 800-829-4933.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get an EIN in Missouri?

Online, the IRS issues the number immediately once the application is approved. Fax takes about 4 business days and mail about 4 weeks.

How much does it cost to get an EIN?

Nothing. The IRS charges no fee for an EIN.

Can I get an EIN by phone in Missouri?

No. The IRS lists phone applications for businesses based outside the United States. Missouri applicants use the online tool, fax or mail.

Does Missouri issue its own tax ID?

You register for state taxes through the Department of Revenue, which asks for your federal EIN if you have one. Sole proprietors without an EIN register with their personal information.

Do I need a new EIN if I move or rename the business?

No. The IRS says a name, address or responsible party change does not require a new EIN.

Disclaimer

This article is general information, not legal, tax or accounting advice. Whether you need an EIN depends on your entity type, payroll and taxes, so confirm your situation with a CPA, a tax attorney or the IRS before you apply.

Sources

Keep exploring: related Missouri guides