How to Locate a Company by the EIN

The IRS gives unique numbers, called EINs, to businesses and other entities for tax identification purposes.

Just as the IRS gives unique Social Security numbers to people for tax identification purposes, the IRS also gives unique numbers, called EINs (employee identification numbers), to companies, including government bodies, churches, trusts and estates. EINs have two digits, a dash and seven more digits (for example, 75-1234567). It's possible to locate a nonprofit company through a free online EIN search, and locate other companies and entities through fee-based EIN searches, as well as through the services of a private investigator.

Instructions

1. Search nonprofit organizations. MelissaDATA offers a free EIN lookup for more than 1.4 million nonprofit organizations in the U.S. Go to Melissadata.com, enter the 9-digit EIN in the search window and press the "Submit" button. Results include company name, assets and income.

2. Search FEINsearch.com. This fee-based database, which offers EIN searches, contains more than 12 million tax ID records for companies and other entities, compiled from U.S. government, state and private resources. FEINSearch.com offers a free trial that gives you five searches with restrictions. Go to FEINSearch.com, click the "Sign up today for your FREE Trial" link at top left of the web page, and follow the registration instructions.

3. Search EIN Finder. This fee-based database, which offers EIN searches, contains seven million official U.S. business identification numbers. Although subscriptions to this database are fee-based, you can sign up for a free trial that gives you three free searches. Go to Einfinder.com, press the "Free Trial" button on the lower right side of the web page, and follow the instructions.

4. Hire a private investigator. Investigators have resources and expertise to locate a company by its EIN. To find a qualified investigator, contact your state professional private investigator organization.

References

• Melissa DATA: Nonprofit Organization Lookup
• FEINSearch.com
• EIN Finder

Resources

• United States Department of Labor: Employer Identification Numbers (EINs)
• IRS.gov: Employer ID Numbers (EINs)