EIN for Your Oregon LLC — How to Apply

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your LLC's federal tax identification number — the business equivalent of a Social Security number. After filing your Articles of Organization with the Oregon Secretary of State, obtaining an EIN is the next critical step. It's free, and online applications provide immediate issuance. For the full formation process, see our Oregon LLC guide.

Why Your Oregon LLC Needs an EIN

Your EIN is required for nearly every business function:

• Business bank accounts — Oregon banks and credit unions require an EIN to open a business account in your LLC's name. Without one, you can't properly separate personal and business finances.
• Hiring employees — Required for federal payroll tax withholding and Oregon income tax withholding (registered with Oregon Department of Revenue)
• Federal tax returns — Multi-member LLCs must file Form 1065 using their EIN. S-corp elections require an EIN on Form 2553.
• Oregon Department of Revenue — If you register for Oregon withholding, excise tax, or the Corporate Activity Tax, you'll reference your federal EIN
• Business credit — An EIN is the foundation for building business credit separate from your personal credit
• 1099 forms — Clients and vendors will request your EIN for 1099 reporting instead of your personal SSN

When a Single-Member LLC Needs an EIN

Technically, a single-member LLC with no employees can use the owner's SSN for federal tax purposes. However, you still need an EIN if you:

• Want to open a business bank account (most Oregon banks require it)
• Have or plan to hire employees
• Want to build business credit
• Prefer not to give clients/vendors your personal SSN
• File excise taxes with the IRS or Oregon
• Elect S-corp taxation (Form 2553 requires an EIN)

Practical recommendation: Get an EIN regardless. It's free, takes 5 minutes online, and eliminates the need to share your SSN in business contexts.

How to Apply

Online (recommended — immediate issuance):

1. Go to irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online
2. Select "Limited Liability Company" as entity type
3. Choose the number of members
4. Select "Started a new business" as your reason
5. Enter the responsible party (a member — use their SSN)
6. Provide your Oregon LLC's legal name (exactly as filed with the Secretary of State) and mailing address
7. Select your Oregon LLC's formation date (effective date from your Articles of Organization)
8. Complete and submit — receive your EIN immediately on screen

Hours: The IRS online EIN system is available Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM Eastern Time.

By mail/fax (Form SS-4):

• Download Form SS-4 from irs.gov
• Fax to (855) 641-6935 — receive EIN within 4 business days
• Mail to IRS, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999 — 4-6 weeks processing

After You Receive Your EIN

1. Save your CP 575 confirmation letter — The IRS mails this to your LLC's address. Keep it with your formation documents.
2. Open your business bank account — Oregon banks accept the online confirmation number immediately; bring your Articles of Organization (filed copy), EIN confirmation, and operating agreement
3. Register with Oregon Department of Revenue (if applicable) — Required if you have employees, elect corporate tax status, or need to register for the Corporate Activity Tax
4. Update your records — Share your EIN (not SSN) on W-9 forms when clients/vendors request tax ID information
5. Provide to your registered agent — Ensures tax correspondence forwarding is properly configured

Oregon-Specific Tax Registrations After EIN

Once you have your EIN, you may need to complete additional Oregon registrations:

Note: Oregon has no sales tax registration because Oregon has no sales tax.

Cost

• EIN application: Free (there is no cost — the IRS does not charge for EIN issuance)
• Beware of third-party sites: Some websites charge fees to "file" your EIN application. The IRS never charges for this. Always apply directly at irs.gov.

FAQ

Can I apply for an EIN before my LLC is approved?

No. You need your LLC to legally exist before applying. Use the effective date from your filed Articles of Organization. If you filed online with the Oregon Secretary of State, you can apply for the EIN as soon as you receive confirmation that your Articles were filed.

What if I already have an EIN from a prior business?

You need a new EIN for each separate legal entity. Your Oregon LLC is a distinct entity from any sole proprietorship, prior LLC, or corporation you operated previously. Each entity gets its own EIN.

Can non-US residents get an EIN?

Yes, but you cannot use the online system. Non-US residents without an SSN or ITIN must apply by phone (call the IRS at 267-941-1099, not toll-free) or by mailing Form SS-4. See our non-resident formation guide.

My LLC's name changed — do I need a new EIN?

No. A name change does not require a new EIN. Notify the IRS of the name change by filing your next tax return with the new name, or write to the IRS at the Cincinnati address.