Can You Transfer an EIN to Another Business?

Oct. 31, 2025, 8:20 p.m.
When running or reorganizing a business, many owners wonder whether they can simply transfer their existing Employer Identification Number (EIN) to a new business entity. The short answer is no — in most cases, an EIN cannot be transferred from one business to another. Each EIN is assigned by the IRS to a specific legal entity and is meant to identify that entity alone. Let’s break down the details.
Can You Transfer an EIN to Another Business?

1. Why You Usually Can’t Transfer an EIN

The IRS issues an EIN to a business based on its structure (LLC, corporation, partnership, etc.), ownership, and operations.
If any of these key factors change significantly, the IRS considers it a new business entity, which requires a new EIN.

Examples where a new EIN is needed:

  • A sole proprietorship incorporates into an LLC or corporation.

  • A partnership converts into a corporation.

  • Ownership changes — for example, one partner buys out another.

  • You purchase an existing business (you can’t use the seller’s EIN).

2. When You Can Keep the Same EIN

There are a few exceptions where your existing EIN can stay the same because the IRS considers the business entity to remain the same:

  • A corporation simply changes its name.

  • A corporation opens a new branch or location.

  • A sole proprietor continues operating the same business but adds a new trade name (DBA).

  • An LLC adds or removes a member but remains a single-member LLC taxed as a sole proprietorship.

3. Transferring a Business — What to Do Instead

If you’re buying or inheriting a business, the correct approach is:

  1. Apply for your own EIN — You can do this quickly through the www.einregister.online

  2. Update tax records with your new EIN.

  3. Notify banks, vendors, and agencies of the change.

This ensures your new business’s tax and legal identity are separate from the previous owner’s responsibilities.

4. Penalties for Using Another Entity’s EIN

Using another company’s EIN is not allowed and could create tax and legal complications, such as:

  • IRS misreporting or audits.

  • Liability for another business’s debts or tax filings.

  • Difficulty opening business bank accounts or applying for credit.

5. Key Takeaway

Your EIN is unique to your business. It’s not transferable between entities, owners, or structures. When your business changes in a way that affects its legal identity, applying for a new EIN ensures clarity, compliance, and clean tax reporting with the IRS.