EIN Guide · What a federal EIN is, why your Missouri Corporation needs one, and how to get it.
Getting an EIN for Your Missouri Corporation
No Missouri corporation can operate without a federal Employer Identification Number. It is free, it comes from the IRS rather than the state, and for most founders it takes about ten minutes. This guide explains what an EIN is, why your corporation must have one, how to apply, and the mistakes to avoid — including the paid services charging for something the government gives away.
One price: $199.00/yr covers your formation, your registered agent, and your annual report, plus the $58.00 state filing fee, at cost.
State agency: Missouri Secretary of State, Business Services Division
Annual report due: Anniversary of formation · Processing: Same day
✓ No hidden fees ✓ No second-year price hikes ✓ No missed filings
State facts
Missouri Corporation
What an EIN Is and Why Your Corporation Needs One
An Employer Identification Number is a nine-digit federal tax identification number issued by the Internal Revenue Service. Think of it as a Social Security number for your business. The IRS uses it to identify your corporation for tax purposes, and banks, payroll providers, and vendors use it to identify the business for their own records.
Why a corporation always needs one
Unlike a single-member LLC, which can sometimes operate on the owner's Social Security number, a corporation is a separate taxpayer in the eyes of the IRS and needs its own EIN from the start. You will need it to:
- File the corporation's federal tax return — Form 1120 for a C-corporation or Form 1120-S for an S-corporation.
- Open a corporate bank account — banks require the EIN to open an account in the corporation's name, which is essential for keeping corporate and personal finances separate.
- Hire employees and run payroll — the EIN identifies the corporation for federal payroll tax deposits and reporting.
- Register for Missouri state taxes — the Department of Revenue uses your federal EIN as part of your state tax registration.
- Make an S-corporation election — the EIN is needed to file the election with the IRS.
In short, the EIN is one of the first things you obtain after the state records your Articles of Incorporation, because almost everything else — banking, taxes, hiring — depends on it.
When to Apply for the EIN
Timing matters. Apply for the EIN after your corporation legally exists but before you try to open a bank account or start operations.
Form the corporation first
The IRS application asks for the corporation's legal name and formation details, so it is cleanest to apply once the Missouri Secretary of State has recorded your Articles of Incorporation and the corporation officially exists. Applying before formation can create a mismatch between the name on the EIN and the name on the state record, which causes headaches later at the bank.
Then, before you bank or hire
Because a corporate bank account requires the EIN, get the number in hand before you head to the bank. The same is true if you plan to run payroll or make an S-election — the EIN comes first. For most founders the natural order is: file the Articles, receive confirmation the corporation exists, apply for the EIN the same day, then open the bank account.
How to Apply — Step by Step
The most common and fastest route is the IRS online application.
Applying online
- Go to the EIN Assistant on IRS.gov and start a new application. The service is free.
- Select "Corporation" as the entity type and follow the prompts.
- Provide the corporation's legal name exactly as it appears on your Missouri Articles of Incorporation, the Missouri address, and the formation details.
- Identify the responsible party — the person who controls the corporation — along with their Social Security number or ITIN.
- Submit. The EIN is issued immediately, and you can download and print the confirmation notice on the spot.
The online application must be completed in a single session and is available during the IRS's posted hours. The number is usable the same day for opening bank accounts.
If you cannot apply online
Applicants without a US Social Security number or ITIN for the responsible party cannot use the online tool. Instead, complete IRS Form SS-4 and submit it by fax or mail. Fax turnaround is typically a few business days; mail takes longer. International applicants may also apply by phone through the IRS's dedicated line for foreign applicants.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Paying for a free number
The single most common mistake is paying a third party for the EIN itself. The IRS issues EINs at no charge. Some services bundle EIN retrieval into their packages and present it as a line item; that fee is for their time, not a government charge. If you are comfortable spending ten minutes on the IRS site, you can get it for free.
Name mismatches
Enter the corporation's name on the EIN application exactly as it appears on the Missouri Articles of Incorporation — same punctuation, same corporate ending. A mismatch between the EIN records and the state record can slow down opening a bank account, because the bank cross-checks both.
Applying too early or too many times
Do not apply before the corporation is formed, and do not apply repeatedly if you already have an EIN. Each corporation needs exactly one. If you lose the confirmation, you can retrieve the number from the IRS rather than applying again.
Confusing the EIN with a Missouri tax number
The EIN is federal. It is not the same as your Missouri Department of Revenue tax registration, though the state uses your EIN when you register. Getting the EIN does not automatically register you for Missouri corporate income tax, sales tax, or payroll withholding — those are separate steps with the Department of Revenue.
Frequently asked questions
Does my Missouri corporation need an EIN?
Yes. A corporation is a separate taxpayer, so it needs its own federal EIN from the start — to file its corporate tax return, open a bank account, hire employees, and register for Missouri taxes. Unlike some single-member LLCs, a corporation cannot operate on an owner's Social Security number.
How much does an EIN cost?
Nothing. The IRS issues EINs for free. Any charge you see is a third-party service fee for handling the application, not a government cost. You can apply directly at IRS.gov and get the number immediately.
How do I get an EIN for my corporation?
The fastest way is the IRS online EIN Assistant. Select "Corporation," enter your corporation's legal name exactly as it appears on your Missouri Articles of Incorporation, identify the responsible party with their SSN or ITIN, and submit. The EIN is issued immediately and you can print the confirmation.
Can I get an EIN without a Social Security number?
Not through the online tool, which requires an SSN or ITIN for the responsible party. Instead, complete IRS Form SS-4 and submit it by fax or mail, or apply by phone through the IRS line for international applicants. Fax turnaround is usually a few business days.
Is the EIN the same as my Missouri state tax ID?
No. The EIN is a federal number from the IRS. Missouri tax registrations are handled separately through the Department of Revenue, though the state uses your EIN as part of that registration. Getting an EIN does not automatically register you for Missouri corporate income, sales, or payroll taxes.
Who is the "responsible party" on the EIN application?
The responsible party is the individual who ultimately owns or controls the corporation and its funds — usually a principal owner or officer. The IRS uses this person's Social Security number or ITIN to process the online application and to have a real person accountable for the entity. It is not a nominee or the filing service; it should be someone with genuine authority over the corporation.
What if I lose my EIN confirmation?
Do not apply for a new one — each corporation should have exactly one EIN. You can retrieve a lost number by locating the original IRS confirmation notice, checking a prior tax return or bank record where the EIN appears, or calling the IRS Business and Specialty Tax line to have it looked up after verifying your identity and authority over the corporation.
Do I need a new EIN if my corporation changes its name or address?
Usually not. A simple name change or a move to a new address does not require a new EIN — you keep the existing number and notify the IRS of the change. A new EIN is generally needed only for more fundamental changes, such as certain changes in entity type or ownership structure. When in doubt, confirm with your accountant.
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Formation, your registered agent, and your annual report. One price, $199.00/yr, with the state fee passed through at cost.
Form Your Missouri Corporation ($199.00/yr All-In)