How to Get a Nebraska EIN Number (for Free)
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We know dealing with the IRS can be intimidating, but getting an EIN for your LLC doesn’t have to be scary.

This page explains what an EIN is and we provide step-by-step instructions on getting an EIN for free for a Nebraska LLC.

What is an EIN Number?

EIN Number for an LLC

EIN stands for Employer Identification Number and is assigned to your LLC by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), a division within the federal government.

The EIN identifies your business to the IRS, the same way a Social Security Number identifies a person. You could also think of the EIN as your “account number” with the IRS.

Note: An EIN is not issued by the Nebraska Secretary of State. It is only issued by the IRS.

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Have an LLC, but no EIN? Hire Northwest to get your EIN:
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EIN Synonyms

You might see your EIN Number referred to in many different ways. They all mean the same thing, though.

Other terms for an EIN include:

  • EIN Number
  • Employer Identification Number
  • Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
  • Federal Tax ID Numbers
  • Nebraska Federal Tax ID Number
  • Federal Tax Identification Number

Note: An EIN Number is not the same thing as a Nebraska State Tax ID Number. An EIN is issued by the IRS. And a Nebraska Tax ID Number is issued by the Nebraska Department of Revenue.

What’s an EIN used for?

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is used by several different government agencies to identify your LLC. But it’s not just used for tax purposes.

Having an EIN for your Nebraska Limited Liability Company lets you:

  • Open an LLC business bank account
  • File federal, state, and local tax returns
  • File Nebraska income tax
  • Register for sales tax
  • Obtain business lines of credit or business loans
  • Get a business credit card for your LLC
  • Apply for business licenses or permits
  • Handle employee payroll (if applicable)

How much does it cost to get an EIN?

Applying for an EIN for your Nebraska LLC is completely free. The IRS doesn’t charge any service fees for the EIN online application.

When should you get an EIN?

Don’t apply for an EIN until your Nebraska LLC is approved. You can get an EIN for your new business as soon as the business officially exists on state records.

Tip: If you applied for an EIN before your LLC is approved, or made another mistake, please see our FAQs below. We explain how to fix the most common EIN mistakes.

How do I file an EIN Application for my Nebraska LLC?

Important: Make sure you finalize how many LLC Members you have before you apply for an EIN. Changing from a Single-Member LLC to a Multi-Member LLC (or vice versa) requires filing paperwork with the IRS and the state. Additionally, you’ll need to transfer LLC ownership, amend your Operating Agreement, and update your accountant (since your tax filing will change).

Note: An LLC doesn’t stand for Limited Liability Corporation. It stands for Limited Liability Company.

Apply for an EIN (US Citizens and US Residents)

We recommend applying for an EIN online if you have a SSN (Social Security Number) or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number).

This is the easiest filing method and it has the fastest approval time. Your EIN Number will be issued at the end of the online application, which takes about 15 minutes to complete.

We have step-by-step instructions on this page:

How to apply for an EIN online

Note: You can also apply for an EIN by mail or fax, but this is really slow compared to the online filing. We only recommend this if you get an error message (called an EIN reference number) and the IRS says that you have to.

Apply for an EIN (Non-US residents)

If you’re a non-US resident (and don’t have an SSN or ITIN), you can still get an EIN for your Nebraska LLC. You just can’t apply for a Federal tax EIN online.

Instead, you need to mail or fax Form SS-4 to the IRS. The SS-4 is the application form. We have step-by-step instructions on this page:

How to get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN

Note: If you’ve read somewhere that you have to hire a third party designee, this is not true. You can obtain your EIN yourself without using a third party designee.

EIN Approval (EIN Confirmation Letter)

Once the IRS issues an EIN for your Nebraska LLC, you will receive your official approval, known as an EIN Confirmation Letter (CP 575).

The method you use to apply for an EIN will determine how you receive your EIN Confirmation Letter. If you apply online, you can download the EIN Confirmation Letter at the end. If you mail or fax SS-4, the IRS mails your EIN Confirmation Letter.

Here is what the EIN Confirmation Letter looks like:

EIN Confirmation Letter (CP 575) for LLC

LLC Business Bank Account

After getting an EIN, you can open a business bank account for your Nebraska LLC. The bank will need your EIN Confirmation Letter (or EIN Verification Letter) to open the account.

Please see business bank account for LLC for a list of recommended banks (and the documents you should bring).

If you’re a non-US resident, you can still open a US bank account for your LLC. Please see this page: Non-US resident opening US bank account for an LLC

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Contact Information

If you have any questions, you can call the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 1-800-829-4933. Their office hours are 7am – 7pm, Monday through Friday.

Use these options to speak to a live person:

  • Press option 1 for English.
  • Then press option 1 for Employer Identification Numbers.
  • Then press option 3 for “If you already have an EIN, but you can’t remember it, etc.”

Note: Pressing option 3 is the only way to get a live person.

We recommend calling the IRS right after they open to avoid long hold times.

The IRS won’t give you legal assistance, legal guidance, or tax advice, but they will answer questions about the EIN application process.

EIN Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Single-Member LLC need an EIN?

You may have seen other articles online say that Single-Member LLCs don’t need an EIN. While this is technically true, it’s bad advice.

Having an EIN can protect you from identity theft, and you’ll need an EIN for other purposes – not just filing taxes. Your Nebraska LLC needs an EIN to:

  • Open an LLC business bank account
  • Obtain business lines of credit or business loans
  • Get a business credit card
  • Apply for business licenses or permits
  • Handle employee payroll (if applicable)

Plus, getting an EIN is free and takes just 10 minutes online. Said another way, we strongly recommend getting an EIN for your Single-Member LLC.

Does a Multi-Member LLC need an EIN?

Yes, all Multi-Member LLCs are required to get an EIN from the IRS. This is because it’s required by the Internal Revenue Code.

Do I need an EIN for my DBA?

No. A DBA can’t have an EIN. Remember, a DBA is just a nickname for a business or a person(s).

However, the business or person(s) that owns the DBA may need an EIN.

DBA owned by an LLC

If you have an LLC, your LLC needs its own EIN.

If your LLC has a DBA, don’t get an EIN for the DBA. The DBA is just a nickname for your LLC, and the IRS doesn’t recognize DBAs.

DBA owned by individual(s)

If you registered a DBA, but didn’t form a legal entity (like an LLC), then you’re operating a Sole Proprietorship (1 owner) or a General Partnership (2 or more owners).

Sole Proprietorships: Your Nebraska Sole Proprietorship (with or without a DBA) isn’t required to have an EIN, but it’s optional.

General Partnerships: Your Nebraska General Partnership (with or without a DBA) must get an EIN. It’s required by the IRS.

Again, in both cases, the DBA itself doesn’t get the EIN. It’s the underlying business entity that gets the EIN.

Do I need an EIN for an LLC with no employees?

Yes, you should still get an EIN for your Nebraska business even if you don’t hire employees.

Even though it’s called an Employer Identification Number, it doesn’t mean you have to have employees. Again, the EIN Number is just a way for the IRS to identify your business.

(Note: If you are the only owner in your business, you are not considered an employee. You are simply the owner.)

How should a husband and wife LLC get an EIN?

In most states, husband and wife LLCs can only be treated as a Multi-Member LLC taxed as a Partnership.

However, in community property states, married couples can choose between:

  • Husband and wife LLC taxed as a Partnership
  • Husband and wife LLC taxed as a Single-Member LLC (aka Qualified Joint Venture)

Nebraska is not a community property state. So Nebraska husband and wife LLCs can’t choose to be taxed as a Qualified Joint Venture (Single-Member LLC).

How you complete your EIN application determines the LLC’s tax status. For more information, please see Husband and Wife LLC (Qualified Joint Venture).

Common EIN mistakes and how to fix them

How do I find my EIN number online?

If you lose your EIN Confirmation Letter (CP 575), or forget to download it online, you can’t get another one.

However, you can request an EIN Verification Letter (147C), and you can use that instead.

Both forms are accepted by everyone (including banks and the state government).

I thought applying for my EIN is what forms my LLC, right?

No, just getting an EIN from the IRS doesn’t form an LLC. LLCs aren’t formed with the IRS. They are formed with your state.

You are supposed to form an LLC in your state, and then apply for an EIN (aka Federal Tax ID Number).

If you’ve been operating your business by having an EIN and have not formed an LLC, you have unknowingly been operating as a Sole Proprietorship and the EIN is “attached” to you, personally.

Said another way, the EIN is not connected to your company – because the company (the LLC) hasn’t been formed.

If you want to have your company be an LLC: First, form an LLC, wait for it to be approved, and then apply for a new EIN. Later you can cancel your first EIN.

What if I applied for an EIN before my LLC was approved?

If your LLC gets approved (using the name you listed on your EIN application), there is nothing to worry about. As long as the name on your EIN Confirmation Letter matches your LLC name, then you can use that EIN for your LLC.

If your LLC is rejected, then you need to refile with the state and wait for your new LLC name to be approved. Then get a new EIN from the IRS. And cancel the old EIN.

How do I cancel an EIN?

If you need to cancel your EIN Number, you need to mail a cancellation letter to the IRS.

We have instructions and the cancellation letter here: How to cancel an EIN.

Matt Horwitz
Matt Horwitz
Matt Horwitz has been the leading expert on LLC education for the past decade. He founded LLC University in 2010 after realizing people needed simple and actionable instructions to start an LLC that other companies weren't offering. He's cited by Entrepreneur Magazine, Yahoo Finance, and the US Chamber of Commerce, and was featured by CNBC and InventRight.
 
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.

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11 comments on “Nebraska Federal Tax ID Number (EIN)”

Disclaimer: Nothing on this page shall be interpreted as legal or tax advice. Rules and regulations vary by location. They also change over time and are specific to your situation. Furthermore, this comment section is provided so people can share their thoughts and experience. Please consult a licensed professional if you have legal or tax questions.

  1. Hi Matt, thanks for all the helpful info you’ve shared. I have 2 questions related to EIN. Firstly, when I followed the steps of EIN application, they didn’t ask me if both members were husband and wife. Do you know why and can we add that info somewhere as we want to file joint tax return later on. Secondly, in the confirmation letter, they say that we “must file the form 1065 by 03/15/2019”. I understood that we should not do that as we have 2 members right?

    • Hi Louis, Nebraska is not a community property state, so unfortunately, your husband-and-wife LLC can’t register as a Qualified Joint Venture LLC with the IRS. A Qualified Joint Venture is treated like a Sole Proprietorship by the IRS for tax purposes. However, this has nothing to do with filing taxes jointly. You can still do that. Your LLC will also need to file a 1065 Partnership Return and issue K-1s to you and your wife. Hope that helps.

  2. Hi Matt, thanks for the info. I’m just hoping it doesn’t throw off my bank loan ability. One of the reasons I’m doing all of this is to start investing into real estate. I’m hoping having a new EIN with no revenue history doesn’t stop me from getting loans. My Sole Prop EIN has 10 years of good profit showing. But either way they should go off past 2 years tax returns. That’s how it typically goes in Nebraska. And don’t worry I will be sure to have the Investment LLC formed before I purchase the properties!! My final thoughts on this are, as a disregarded entity it falls back to my SSN# (sole prop) in the IRS eyes anyhow.

    Also just spoke with IRS. They only issue 1 sole proprietor EIN per persons lifetime. Its just a fancy way to protect your SSN#. Any thoughts of just leaving the sole prop EIN in place?

    • Just wanted to state I do plan on getting a new EIN for both LLC’s. Just wondering if I can let my sole prop EIN sit off to side in case I need to show the income for past 2 years returns to lenders.

      • Hey Chris, you certainly can. There’s no need to cancel it at all. And I think it’s best to leave as-is in your case.

    • Hey Chris, thanks for the details. It’s very helpful. I hear you 100%. No need to cancel then. It’s not required. I just mentioned it since many people like to close the “open loop”. But there is really no need. Leave it in place for as long as you need. And good call on getting the LLC formed before closing ;)

  3. Hi Matt,

    Again very helpful information. I have been a sole prop in Nebraska for 10 years. I obtained an EIN number when I started my sole prop 10 years ago. I’m now changing my structure but “not really”. I’m taking my same name and adding LLC to it as an single member “disregarded entity”. Should I obtain a new EIN number for my same name LLC/single member LLC (disregarded entity) or can I use my same old Sole Prop EIN?

    Basically everything is staying the same and all assets and money I’m transferring to an LLC to gain the legal protection benefits of an LLC.

    • Hey Chris, after you file your “final return” for the Sole Proprietorship, you can cancel your EIN. However, you don’t have to wait for that to happen before you get a new EIN for your LLC. I recommend getting a new EIN right after your LLC is approved. Hope that helps!

  4. Awesome site, even as a paralegal I had to brush up when filing our LLC, and you not only covered everything from A-Z, but even all of the in between things! Thanks so much :)

    • Hi Mary, apologies for the slow reply. Your comment accidentally went into the spam folder. I really appreciate you sharing this! We work very hard to try to cover as much details and questions as possible, so you pointing that out means a lot! Hope you have a great week :)

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