Quick answer: Get an EIN for your Florida LLC free from the IRS. After Sunbiz approves your Articles of Organization, apply via the IRS EIN Assistant online and you will receive your nine-digit number immediately in a CP 575 notice. There is no IRS fee.
An EIN is federal, not issued by Florida or Sunbiz. Order matters: LLC first, EIN second.
What Is an EIN?
An Employer Identification Number is a nine-digit Federal Tax ID (12-3456789) the IRS assigns to identify a business, like an SSN for your company.
You need it to open a business bank account, hire employees, file federal returns, apply for credit, and issue W-2s and 1099s. It also protects privacy: give clients the EIN on a W-9 instead of your SSN.
If you how to from an llc in florida, this is a separate federal step after formation.
Does Every Florida LLC Need One?
Yes, if your LLC has multiple members, employees, elects S corp or corporate taxation, or files employment/excise returns.
A single-member LLC with no employees can technically use the owner’s SSN. Most owners get an EIN anyway because banks require it, processors request it, and it separates personal and business finances, supporting liability protection.
What You Need Before Applying
The online session times out and cannot be saved, so prepare:
- Exact legal LLC name and formation date from Sunbiz
- Florida principal and mailing addresses
- Responsible party, the individual who controls the LLC, and their SSN or ITIN
- Number of members, main business activity, and expected employees
Apply only after approval, not submission, so names match bank records.
IRS Step-by-Step: Apply Online
- Go to the IRS EIN Assistant on IRS.gov. Verify the URL.
- Select “Limited Liability Company (LLC)” and enter number of members.
- Enter the responsible party’s name and SSN/ITIN. Limit: one EIN per responsible party per day.
- Enter the LLC name exactly as on Sunbiz, including “LLC,” plus address and formation date.
- Answer: reason for applying, accounting year-end (usually December), employees, and activity.
- Choose online delivery, review, and submit. The EIN issues immediately.
- Download and save the CP 575 PDF. It cannot be retrieved again from the tool.
Time needed: about 10 to 15 minutes.
Other Methods
| Method | Cost | Time | Best For |
| Online | Free | Immediate | SSN/ITIN holders |
| Fax, Form SS-4 | Free | ~4 business days | Cannot apply online |
| Mail, Form SS-4 | Free | ~4 weeks | Non-urgent |
| Phone | Free | During call | International only |
On Form SS-4, check Line 1 (legal name), Lines 7a to 7b (responsible party), and 9a (entity type). Domestic applicants cannot apply by phone.
No SSN/ITIN? Foreign owners file SS-4 by fax/mail, writing “Foreign” for the taxpayer ID, or use the IRS international route.
After You Get Your EIN
Save the CP 575 with your Articles and operating agreement. Use it, plus Sunbiz approval, to open a business bank account, never mix personal and LLC funds.
An EIN does not register you for Florida sales tax or reemployment tax. Open those separately with the Florida Department of Revenue if you sell taxable goods or hire.
Common mistakes: applying before approval, using a DBA instead of the legal name, naming a business as responsible party, paying a third party, and not saving the CP 575.
FAQs
Is an EIN really free? Yes, $0 online, by fax, or by mail. Paid services charge only for convenience.
How long does it take? Online: immediate. Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 weeks.
Can I apply before forming the LLC? No. Form first so the EIN matches the legal name.
Does an EIN expire? No. It is permanent and never reassigned.
Sole proprietorship converted to LLC, new EIN? Yes, usually, because the LLC is a new entity.
Bottom Line
Conclusion
Apply free on IRS.gov right after Florida approval, before banking or hiring. Fifteen minutes now prevents rejected accounts and tax problems later.
