How to Get an EIN in North Dakota

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your business's federal tax identification number, issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Think of it as a Social Security number for your company. Whether you're forming an LLC, corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship in North Dakota, understanding when and how to get an EIN is one of the first practical steps you'll take.

This guide walks you through the entire process, from determining whether you need one to receiving your number and registering it with North Dakota tax authorities.

Do You Need an EIN in North Dakota?

Not every North Dakota business needs an EIN, but most do. Here's the breakdown:

You Must Have an EIN if your business:

• Has employees (even one part-time employee requires an EIN)
• Is structured as an LLC, corporation, partnership, or S corporation
• Operates as a sole proprietorship but sells taxable products or services
• Is a nonprofit organization
• Has a Keogh plan or qualified retirement plan
• Withholds income taxes on non-employee income (like contractor payments)
• Operates as a trust or estate

You Might Not Need an EIN if:

• You're a sole proprietor with no employees, operating under your own name, and reporting business income on your personal tax return
• Your business is inactive or dormant

Even if you don't technically need an EIN, getting one is still a smart move. It separates your personal finances from your business finances, improves your credibility with vendors and lenders, and protects your personal Social Security number from being shared unnecessarily.

What You'll Need Before Applying

Gather these materials before you start the application process. You don't need physical documents to apply online, but you do need the information they contain:

• Legal business name and any trade names (exactly as they appear on your North Dakota business filings)
• Reason for applying (new business, existing business needing an EIN, compliance requirement, etc.)
• Business structure type (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, partnership, etc.)
• Business start date or expected start date
• Business address in North Dakota (physical location, not a PO box)
• Mailing address (can be different from business address)
• Owner or responsible party's Social Security Number (SSN) or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)
• Owner's date of birth
• North Dakota business license number or registration number (if you've already filed your Articles of Organization or Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State)
• Industry classification code (the IRS provides these; you can look yours up or select from a list during application)
• Number of employees (even if zero)

If you're applying for a business you haven't yet registered with the North Dakota Secretary of State, that's fine. You can apply for an EIN before filing your formal business documents, though most filers do it after.

How to Apply for an EIN: Four Methods

The IRS gives you four ways to apply for an EIN. The fastest and most convenient is online.

Method 1: Online (Fastest, Recommended)

Apply instantly using the IRS Online EIN Application at https://www.irs.gov/ein. This is the quickest method and recommended for most North Dakota business owners.

Requirements: You need a computer with internet access and a U.S. address (including North Dakota).

Time to completion: 10 to 15 minutes.

When you get your number: Instantly, at the end of the application.

Method 2: Telephone (IRS EIN Line)

Call the IRS at 1-844-4-UIATIN (1-844-484-8244) Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time.

Time to completion: 10 to 20 minutes.

When you get your number: Immediately, over the phone. Write it down and ask the representative to confirm it twice. Request they email or mail you a confirmation letter.

Method 3: By Mail (IRS Form SS-4)

Complete Form SS-4 (Application for Employer Identification Number) and mail it to the IRS.

What to send:

• Completed Form SS-4 (download from https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf)
• Mailed to the IRS address for your region

For North Dakota, mail to:

Internal Revenue Service
Attn: Entity Control
Stop 6273
Kansas City, MO 64999

Time to completion: 4 to 6 weeks after the IRS receives your form.

Method 4: By Fax (IRS Form SS-4)

Complete Form SS-4 and fax it to the IRS.

Fax number for North Dakota: 816-926-1400

Time to completion: 4 business days after the IRS receives your fax. Request a confirmation number when you fax.

Step-by-Step: Applying Online (The Fastest Route)

Here's how to apply for your EIN online in detail.

Step 1: Go to the IRS EIN Application Page

Navigate to https://www.irs.gov/ein and click the button to begin your application. You'll be taken to the secure online application portal.

Step 2: Select Your Responsible Party Type

The IRS calls this your "responsible party." This is typically the owner, manager, or officer of the business. Choose:

• Individual (you own the business as a sole proprietor or partner)
• Business (a corporate entity is the responsible party)

Most North Dakota LLCs and corporations list an individual as the responsible party.

Step 3: Enter Legal Business Name and Trade Names

Enter your business name exactly as it appears on your North Dakota Secretary of State filing. If you registered a trade name (DBA) separately, include that too. The IRS will check this name against its records to avoid duplicates.

Step 4: Specify Your Business Structure

Select your business entity type from the dropdown:

• Sole proprietor
• Limited Liability Company (LLC)
• S Corporation
• C Corporation
• Partnership
• Other

Choose exactly what you filed with the North Dakota Secretary of State. If you haven't filed yet, select what you plan to file.

Step 5: Provide Business Location and Mailing Address

Enter your business's physical street address in North Dakota. A PO box alone is not acceptable, though you can use a PO box as your mailing address if different from your business location.

If your business operates from home, enter your home address. If you work from a commercial office or shared workspace in North Dakota, enter that address instead.

Step 6: Select Your Industry Classification

The IRS provides a list of industry codes. Find the one closest to your business. Examples include:

• Real estate leasing (if you rent property)
• Retail trade
• Professional services
• Wholesale trade
• Transportation
• Construction

Choose the most accurate code for your primary business activity. This doesn't lock you in permanently, but accuracy helps the IRS route your filings correctly.

Step 7: Provide Owner Information

Enter the responsible party's:

• Full name
• Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• Date of birth
• Title or role (owner, manager, president, etc.)

Step 8: Answer Compliance Questions

The IRS will ask if your business has any prior EINs, whether you're applying due to a takeover or change in structure, and other compliance questions. Answer honestly. If you're unsure, select "No" unless you know otherwise.

Step 9: Review and Submit

Review all your entries for accuracy. Once you submit, the application cannot be edited. If you spot an error, you'll need to start over.

Click Submit. The IRS will verify your information in real time.

Step 10: Receive Your EIN

If approved, your EIN will appear on screen immediately. Write it down and take a screenshot. The IRS will also email you a confirmation letter.

Your EIN is a nine-digit number formatted as XX-XXXXXXXXX (for example, 45-1234567). Keep this number secure and accessible. You'll need it for nearly every business function going forward.

After You Get Your EIN: What to Do Next

Your EIN alone doesn't complete your North Dakota business setup. Take these steps:

Register with North Dakota Tax Authorities

If your business makes taxable sales in North Dakota, you need a sales and use tax permit from the North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner. Apply at https://tap.tax.nd.gov/?Link=Application about 30 days before you open for business. The permit itself is free, but you're required by state law to have one if you sell taxable products or services.

When applying, you'll provide your EIN along with your business registration information.

Open a Business Bank Account

Use your EIN to open a separate business checking account. Do not mix personal and business funds. Your bank will ask for:

• Your EIN
• Your business license or registration certificate from the North Dakota Secretary of State
• A photo ID (yours, as the responsible party)

Apply for Licenses or Permits

Depending on your industry, North Dakota may require additional licenses or permits. Examples include:

• Contractor license if you perform construction work on jobs valued over $4,000 (costs $100 to $450 depending on class, renewed annually by March 1)
• Professional licenses if you operate in healthcare, law, accounting, or other regulated fields
• Liquor license if you sell alcoholic beverages (handled by the North Dakota Attorney General)

File Your First Tax Return

Mark your calendar. Your first tax filing deadline depends on your business structure and fiscal year. Most North Dakota businesses report on the calendar year (January to December). Talk to a CPA or tax professional about what forms you'll need to file and when.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Misspelling your business name. The IRS will match your name to your Secretary of State filing. If the names don't match, your EIN may not link properly to your registered business. Check your North Dakota filing documents before entering your name.

Using a PO box as your business address. The IRS requires a street address. A PO box is fine for mailing, not for business location.

Applying for multiple EINs. Each business entity gets one EIN. If you own multiple businesses, each needs its own. But don't apply twice for the same business by mistake. The IRS will see the duplicate and one application may be denied.

Sharing your EIN publicly before you're ready. Once you have your EIN, keep it confidential like you would a Social Security number. Use it only for legitimate business and tax purposes.

Forgetting to register for the sales tax permit. If you sell taxable products or services in North Dakota, the sales tax permit is not optional. Failing to get one can result in penalties.

Tips for a Smooth Process

Apply online if you can. It's the fastest method and you get your number instantly. You can print your confirmation immediately.

Have all information ready before you start. Gathering everything in advance takes 10 minutes and saves headaches if you forget a detail mid-application.

Apply early in the business formation process. Most North Dakota business owners apply for an EIN after filing their Articles of Organization or Incorporation with the Secretary of State, but before opening a business bank account. This order makes sense because you'll have your legal business name confirmed.

Keep copies of your confirmation letter. Download and save your EIN confirmation email. You may need proof of your EIN number when applying for business loans, vendor accounts, or state licenses.

Consult a CPA or tax professional if you're unsure about anything. Tax questions are beyond the scope of this guide. If you're uncertain about how to categorize your business, whether you need an EIN, or what tax structure works best for your situation in North Dakota, a qualified accountant or tax attorney can give you personalized guidance.

Your Timeline

Here's how quickly you can move once you decide to apply:

• Online application: 15 minutes to complete, instant approval and EIN issuance
• Phone application: 20 minutes, immediate EIN over the phone
• Fax application: 4 business days after IRS receives it
• Mail application: 4 to 6 weeks after IRS receives it

From start to finish, most North Dakota business owners have their EIN within 24 hours if they apply online.

Important Disclaimer

This article is informational only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. EIN requirements and procedures are set by the federal IRS, not North Dakota state law. Tax implications of different business structures vary widely based on your specific situation.

Before making final decisions about your business structure, tax registration, or filing requirements, consult a qualified tax professional, accountant, or attorney licensed in North Dakota. They can assess your unique circumstances and recommend the best approach for your business.

For official information about EIN applications, visit the IRS website at https://www.irs.gov/ein or call 1-844-4-UIATIN (1-844-484-8244).