How to Check if an EIN Is Active or Valid

Oct. 18, 2025, 7:51 a.m.
Here’s a clear, actionable guide on how to check if an EIN (Employer Identification Number) is active or valid, and what to do if you encounter issues.
Check EIN

 What “Active or Valid” Means

For an EIN:

  • It was legitimately issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and follows the correct format (nine digits, e.g. XX-XXXXXXX).  

  • It has not been canceled (or flagged inactive) by the IRS. According to IRS guidance, “we cannot cancel an EIN, but we can deactivate it.”  

  • It corresponds to the correct business name/legal entity for which it was issued (for purposes of tax filings, licensing, contracts). 

How to Verify an EIN’s Status

Here are the best methods available:

1. Check Your Own Records

  • Locate the original IRS confirmation letter (e.g., CP 575), which shows the assigned EIN. 

  • Review prior tax returns, bank account applications, state business registrations — these often list the EIN.  

  • Contact your bank or accountant who handled your business filings; they may have the EIN on file.  

2. Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line

  • Phone number: 800-829-4933 (Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. ET)  

  • When you call, the IRS can verify the EIN for you if you are an authorized person for the entity.  

  • The IRS will not provide full public look-up of any random EIN; they’ll only assist for your own business.

3. Use IRS Tools & Databases (Limited)

  • The IRS publishes a list of “valid EIN prefixes” (first two digits) by campus/location of issuance, which can help identify obviously invalid numbers.  

  • For nonprofit organizations, the IRS’s Tax Exempt Organization Search lets you verify EINs publicly for registered charities. 

  • For other businesses (especially private ones) there is no free public comprehensive lookup from the IRS for “EIN active/inactive” status. 

4. Third-Party Verification Tools

  • Several services (e.g., vendor onboarding, “Know Your Business” platforms) offer EIN verification or matching utilities. They typically cross-reference IRS/TIN-matching services, state databases, or commercial sources.  

  • Note: These may incur fees and rely on external sources — use caution and verify data accuracy.

 Common Red Flags & What They Mean

  • The EIN prefix (first two digits) is not on the IRS valid-prefix list. While not definitive, this suggests a potential invalid number. 

  • The EIN number does not match the legal name of the business entity when doing vendor onboarding or filings (name + EIN mismatch).  

  • Business attempts to issue you a new EIN when one already exists for the entity — might indicate confusion or improper entity structure.  

  • You suspect the EIN was never used for filings, or the entity has been dissolved — it’s possible the EIN remains “assigned” but the business is inactive/closed. In such cases the EIN may still technically be valid but not “active” in the sense of current operations.

 What to Do If You’re Unsure or Find a Problem

  1. Gather information: legal business name, address, previous tax filings, any correspondence from IRS.

  2. Contact the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line (800-829-4933) and ask if the EIN is on record and matches your entity.

  3. If your business underwent a change that should have required a new EIN (change in entity type, ownership structure) check whether the correct EIN is being used.  

  4. If you discover an EIN is invalid or misused, consult a tax professional, especially if you’re engaged in business contracts relying on another party’s EIN.

  5. Maintain documentation: once you verify the EIN status, keep the confirmation letter, correspondence, vendor contracts, etc., so you can prove validity if needed.