If you’ve recently started a business or applied for an Employer Identification Number (EIN), you might be wondering: is an EIN public record? The answer depends on how the EIN is used and where it’s listed. While EINs are not directly published by the IRS, they may still appear in publicly accessible databases or documents.
In this guide, we’ll explain when an EIN can be found publicly, how it may be exposed, and what business owners can do to protect their information.
What Is an EIN?
An EIN, or Employer Identification Number, is a 9-digit number issued by the IRS to identify a business for tax purposes. It’s required for:
- Filing business tax returns
- Opening a business bank account
- Hiring employees
- Applying for business licenses
- Forming LLCs, corporations, or nonprofits
Is an EIN Public Record?
Not Public via IRS
The IRS does not publish EINs in a public-facing directory. That means you cannot go to IRS.gov and look up another business’s EIN directly.
May Be Public via Other Sources
Although EINs aren’t released by the IRS, they can become public through other channels, such as:
- Nonprofit organizations’ Form 990s, which include EINs
- State business registries (like Secretary of State websites)
- Publicly filed tax documents
- SEC filings
- Government contracts or bidding documents
- Business credit databases
These sources may list EINs openly, particularly for nonprofits or corporations.
EINs for Sole Proprietors vs. Corporations
- Sole proprietors who use their SSN instead of an EIN should be especially cautious, as their personal identity is more exposed.
- For LLCs, partnerships, and corporations, the EIN is sometimes treated more like a business identifier, similar to a business license number.
How to Protect Your EIN
Even if your EIN is public, it can still be misused. To protect it:
- Avoid sharing it unnecessarily online or in unsecured emails
- Do not publish it on your website or marketing materials
- Monitor your business credit for any unauthorized activity
- Consider a registered agent service to keep your address and EIN usage more private
When Is It Okay to Share Your EIN?
You will need to share your EIN in some cases, such as:
- Opening a bank account
- Filling out W-9 forms for clients or vendors
- Applying for licenses or permits
- Filing taxes with the IRS or your state
Always verify the identity of any party requesting your EIN.
Final Thoughts
Is an EIN public record? Not officially through the IRS—but it can appear in public databases due to state filings, nonprofit disclosures, and government-related documents. While having your EIN exposed isn’t always risky, business owners should be mindful about where and how they share it.
