How to Get an EIN for Your North Carolina Business

A bank teller asking for an EIN confirmation letter is the moment a lot of new North Carolina owners realize they skipped a step. The Employer Identification Number is free, the application takes minutes, and almost every bank requires one before opening a business account.

Here’s who needs an EIN, how to apply directly through the IRS, and what to do with the number once you have it.

Key Takeaways

• An EIN is free when applied for directly through the IRS. Anyone charging a fee for the basic application is charging for a service you can do yourself.

• Multi-member LLCs, corporations, and any business with employees are required to have an EIN.

• Single-member LLCs without employees can technically use the owner’s Social Security number, but most banks ask for an EIN anyway.

• Apply only after the NC Secretary of State approves your Articles of Organization or Incorporation.

• Online applications through IRS.gov are approved instantly for US-based applicants.

Who Needs an EIN in North Carolina

Official source: IRS EIN Application

Multi-member LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and any business hiring employees all need an EIN under federal law. A single-member LLC with no employees can use the owner’s Social Security number for tax filing instead, but in practice almost every bank, vendor, and payroll provider asks for an EIN regardless of entity type.

When to Apply

Apply for an EIN only after the NC Secretary of State has approved your formation filing. The IRS application asks for your legal entity name and formation date, so applying too early risks a mismatch. Formation steps come first, covered in full in [LINK: How to Form an LLC in North Carolina].

How to Apply for an EIN

Method	Cost	Processing Time
Online (IRS.gov)	Free	Instant for US-based applicants
Fax	Free	About four business days
Mail	Free	Four to five weeks
Third-party filing service	$50–$150 (unnecessary markup)	Varies

The online application at IRS.gov is the fastest and only option costing nothing beyond your own time. It walks through entity type, reason for applying, and responsible party information, then issues the number immediately at the end of the session.

What You Need Before You Apply

• Your approved Articles of Organization or Incorporation, or confirmation of formation from the Secretary of State.

• The legal name and address of the business exactly as filed.

• The name and Social Security number (or ITIN) of the responsible party, usually the owner or a managing member.

• A reason for applying: starting a new business, hiring employees, opening a bank account, or changing entity type.

What to Do After You Get Your EIN

Save the confirmation letter (Form CP 575) the IRS issues at the end of the application. Banks ask for it by name when opening an account. Bring it along with your formation documents when you visit a branch, covered in How to Open a Business Bank Account in North Carolina.

Your EIN is also required to register with the NCDOR for state tax accounts. The walkthrough for sales tax and withholding registration lives in North Carolina Sales and Use Tax Guide.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Paying a third-party service $50 to $150 for something the IRS provides free in minutes.

• Applying for an EIN before the Secretary of State approves the entity name, leading to a mismatch.

• Losing the CP 575 confirmation letter and having to request a replacement, which takes weeks by mail.

• Assuming a single-member LLC never needs an EIN, then getting turned away at the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an EIN cost in North Carolina?

Nothing, if you apply directly at IRS.gov. Third-party services charge a markup for a process taking minutes on your own.

How long does it take to get an EIN?

Online applications through IRS.gov are approved instantly for businesses with a US-based responsible party. Fax takes about four business days, and mail takes four to five weeks.