How To Get An EIN In Missouri For Your LLC (Apr. 2026)

Completing your Articles of Organization filing officially creates your Missouri Limited Liability Company (LLC). After this, the next necessary step is to obtain your LLC’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This is a mandatory federal requirement that sets the foundation for efficient long-term business operations.

Obtaining your EIN is critical for proper business functioning. You need it to complete your required tax filings, open a dedicated business bank account, maintain compliance when operating, and hire LLC employees. You face unnecessary operating restrictions and penalties if you attempt to operate without one.

In this guide, I will explain how to get your EIN in Missouri. You’ll learn why it’s so important, how to get one based on your U.S. residency status, and the dangers of operating without one.

EIN In Missouri Overview

An EIN is a nine-digit federal identification number issued by the IRS. It identifies your business for important tax and regulatory purposes.

You must obtain an EIN immediately after your Articles of Organization have been approved by the Missouri Secretary of State. This allows your LLC to complete several fundamental operational and financial tasks, such as:

• Opening a dedicated business bank account.
• Running payroll and hiring LLC employees.
• Building a business credit profile.
• Paying your Sales and Excise Taxes.
• Obtaining necessary business financing and credit cards.

Obtaining an EIN is a mandatory requirement if you’re a foreigner forming a Missouri LLC. You may NOT require an EIN if you’re a U.S. resident with a single-member LLC, as you can use your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. However, I don’t recommend this for several reasons, which I will explain below.

Your EIN is free to obtain, regardless of your chosen application method.

1. EIN Common Names

An EIN may be referred to by several different terms, all of which refer to the same federal identification number. I’ve listed the most common ones in the table below. Carefully review them to avoid confusion during your EIN application process.

2. When Should I Get My Missouri EIN?

You can only complete your Missouri EIN registration process once your LLC officially exists as a separate legal entity. This means that you must file your Articles of Organization with the Missouri Secretary of State and get them approved before getting your EIN. This is also a requirement from the IRS.

Ensure that you’ve also confirmed the number of LLC members before filing. The IRS will lock in your entity type and designated responsible party when filing. You will need to update your records with the IRS if your LLC’s membership structure changes.

How To Get An EIN In Missouri

You can obtain an EIN using three main IRS filing methods, all of which are free to use. However, your processing time differs depending on the filing method.

Your best Missouri EIN filing method depends on whether you’re a U.S. resident with an SSN or ITIN. I’ve discussed which one you need to use in the sections below.

1. For U.S. Citizens

You can use any of the three main EIN application methods if you’re a U.S. resident with a SSN or an ITIN. However, the online filing method is the fastest and most convenient. You will receive your EIN immediately after completing a 15-minute application process.

If you want to learn more about how to get your EIN in Missouri online, you can read my guide: How To Apply For An EIN Online.

2. For Non-U.S. Residents

You can NOT use the online filing method if you’re a non-U.S. resident without an SSN or ITIN. Instead, you will need to complete the Missouri EIN form (Form SS-4) and submit it using one of the following methods:

• By mail: Send your completed form to the IRS (Attn: EIN Operation), Cincinnati, OH 45999. Your application may take up to 4 weeks + mailing time.
• By fax: Send your completed form to 855-215-1627 (within the U.S.) or 304-707-9470 (from outside the U.S.). It will take around 4 business days to be processed.

If you want to know more about how to get a Missouri EIN as a non-U.S. resident, you can read my guide: How To Get An EIN Using Form SS-4.

EIN Approval (EIN Confirmation Letter)

Once registered, the IRS will send your EIN Confirmation Letter (Form CP-575) as proof of your LLC’s EIN.

1. How Do I Get My EIN Confirmation Letter?

Once your application has been approved, you will receive Form CP-575. This is the official proof from the IRS that your LLC now has a valid EIN for federal tax and employment purposes.

• You can download Form CP-575 immediately if you apply online.
• You will be sent your EIN Confirmation Letter by mail if you apply by fax or mail.

I highly recommend keeping your EIN Confirmation Letter in a safe place alongside your official business records. It’s an important document required for tax filings, opening a dedicated business bank account, and several other regulatory and compliance obligations.

2. How Do I Find My EIN Number Online?

The IRS will NOT reissue your EIN Confirmation Letter (Form CP-575) if you lose it or forget to download it following your online filing.

In this case, you must request an EIN Verification Letter (Form 147C):

• This has the same legal standing as Form CP-575 and will be accepted by government agencies, banks, and financial institutions.
• Your EIN will remain the same.

You must contact the IRS at 800-829-4933 to request Form 147C. They’re open from Monday to Friday, 7 A.M. to 7 P.M. (ET).

Does My LLC Need To Get An EIN?

As a U.S. resident, your mandatory application requirements depend on your federal tax classification. However, I recommend obtaining an EIN regardless.

Missouri LLCs are classified into two main default tax categories based on their member number:

• Single-member LLCs: Taxed as disregarded entities.
• Multi-member LLCs: Taxed as partnerships.

LLCs can also choose to be taxed as corporations (S-corporations or C-corporations) by filing the correct forms with the IRS.

1. Single-Member LLCs (Disregarded Entities)

As a single-member LLC, you’re NOT automatically required to obtain an EIN if you remain under your default federal tax classification. This is because you can use your SSN instead.

However, the IRS states that obtaining an EIN is a mandatory requirement if you operate in specific industries subject to Excise Tax, or you expand your business and hire employees.

2. Multi-Member LLCs

Under the 26 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) § 301.6109-1(a)(1)(ii-C), you must obtain an EIN if you’re a multi-member LLC.

With more than one LLC owner, you can not use your individual SSN. Your business must be treated as a separate taxpayer by the IRS. Therefore, your EIN is the only number that can be used by the IRS to identify your business, track your tax obligations, and correctly process your required filings.

3. LLCs That Elect To Be Taxed As Corporations

Under 26 C.F.R. § 301.6109-1(a)(1)(ii-C), LLCs electing to be taxed as corporations (C-corporations or S-corporations) must obtain an EIN.

Once you make a corporate tax election, the IRS treats your LLC as a separate taxpayer. Therefore, your corporate tax filings (payroll reporting, Form 1120, Form 1120-S, and other corporate-level tax obligations) require a valid EIN.

The Importance Of A Missouri EIN For Your LLC

The state does NOT impose direct penalties for failing to obtain an EIN. However, the real issue is that many of your required state and federal filings can’t be completed without one.

Therefore, I highly recommend obtaining an EIN for long-term operational efficiency, even if you’re a single-member LLC that is NOT required to obtain one.

1. Complying With State Requirements

Your EIN is the primary tax identifier for most of your business-level operating obligations. Without it, you can’t complete your required state registrations to maintain compliance while operating.

a. Missouri’s Requirement To Provide An EIN

You need to provide your EIN when completing your core state tax filings. Practically speaking, many LLCs must register for one or more of the following tax obligations:

• Employer withholding tax: If you hire employees.
• Sales and Use Tax: If you sell taxable services and goods in the state.
• Other Missouri tax accounts: These depend on your specific business activities and reporting obligations.

To register, you must file your Missouri Tax Registration Application (Form 2643) online or by mail. In both cases, you need to provide your EIN to complete your application.

b. Penalties For Non-Compliance

As I’ve stated above, your LLC will not be directly punished for failing to obtain an EIN. The main issue is related to the multi-layered penalties for not being able to complete other obligations without one.

Example: You can’t obtain a Missouri Sales and Use Tax permit without an EIN, and you continue selling taxable goods and/or services in the state.

According to RSMo § 144.080, you’re not excluded from your LLC’s tax liabilities if you don’t register. You must still pay the amount that should have been remitted, regardless of whether you’ve collected it from your customers or not.

Furthermore, you face a civil penalty for operating without the proper registration under RSMo § 144.118:

• Up to $500 for the first day.
• $100 per day thereafter.

2. Federal Legal And Tax Compliance Risks

Operating without an EIN exposes you to several serious federal compliance risks. This is related to your required tax filings, taxpayer identification payments, and withholding obligations.

a. Penalty For No Taxpayer Identification

According to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), you commit a violation if you’re required to file federal tax or information returns but don’t provide a valid EIN.

Example: You file Form 1099 to report independent contractor payments without a valid EIN. In this case, you may be subject to two concurrent penalties imposed by the IRS:

• IRC § 6721: Penalty for filing incorrect or incomplete information returns.
• IRC § 6722: Penalty for failing to provide correct payee statements.

Both penalties apply per return:

• Standard penalties may reach up to $340 per return.
• Penalties may increase to $680 per return of 10% of the required reporting amount (whichever is greater) if the failure is considered intentional.

b. Penalties For Not Filing Your Return And Paying Federal Taxes

You can’t file your required returns or issue/receive reportable payments for federal tax agencies without a valid EIN. Under IRC § 6651, you’re seen as committing substantive federal tax violations.

Your penalties may be the following, according to the IRS:

• Individuals and most business returns: 5% of the unpaid tax per month (up to 25%). Your minimum penalty is $525 or 100% of the unpaid tax if your return is more than 60 days late (whichever is lower).
• Partnerships: $225 per partner, per month (for up to 12 months).
• S-corporations: $255 per shareholder, per month (for up to 12 months).

c. Penalties For Payroll And Withholding Noncompliance

You can NOT collect or report any withholding income tax from your LLC employees if you don’t have a valid EIN. This payroll non-compliance may expose you to the trust fund recovery rules according to IRC § 6672. You face major civil penalties and potential criminal consequences in severe cases.

3. Operational Risks

As I’ve stated above, most banks need you to show a valid EIN before you’re able to open a dedicated business bank account. Without one, you can NOT operate properly using the U.S. financial and tax systems. Instead, you must rely on substitutes not designed for business use, including:

• Your personal bank account.
• Your SSN.

Doing this reduces the separation between yourself and your LLC and increases your compliance and audit risks.

Contact Information For The IRS

You can contact the IRS Business and Specialty Tax line if you have questions regarding your EIN filing and recovery procedures. The IRS representatives can offer guidance, but won’t be able to give legal or tax advice.

I’ve listed their main contact details below:

Telephone: 1-800-829-4933.

Use the following steps to connect to a live IRS representative:

1. Press “1” for English.
2. Press “1” for EIN-related questions.
3. Press “3” if you already have an EIN but can’t find it (this is the only way to connect to a live agent).

Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. (ET). Call early in the day to reduce your potential wait time.

Frequently Asked Questions