Your EIN application is stuck.
Or it was rejected.
You need solutions.
You need a troubleshooting guide.
Common issues. Resolution steps. Escalation paths. Your fix.
This guide shows you how.
Troubleshooting steps. Problem identification. Solution implementation. Your resolution.
Read this. Identify the problem. Fix your application.
Key Takeaways
- Check application status first—verify your application status online or by phone before assuming it's stuck or rejected
- Common rejection reasons—incorrect information, duplicate applications, missing documents, or invalid responsible party cause most rejections
- Fix and resubmit—correct any errors and resubmit your application with accurate information to resolve rejections
- Escalate when needed—contact IRS support if your application is stuck beyond normal processing times or if you need clarification
- Keep documentation—maintain copies of all application materials and correspondence to support troubleshooting and appeals
Table of Contents
Why Troubleshooting Matters
Troubleshooting resolves problems.
What happens without troubleshooting:
- Applications remain stuck
- Rejections aren’t resolved
- Operations are delayed
- Business is blocked
What happens with troubleshooting:
- Issues are identified
- Problems are resolved
- Applications proceed
- Business moves forward
The reality: Troubleshooting enables progress.
Checking Status
Check your application status:
Online Status Check
What to check:
- IRS website status
- Application confirmation
- Processing timeline
- Expected completion
Why it matters: Status shows progress.
Phone Status Check
What to check:
- Call IRS support
- Provide application details
- Request status update
- Get processing information
Why it matters: Phone check provides details.
Documentation Review
What to review:
- Application confirmation
- Submitted information
- Required documents
- Correspondence received
Why it matters: Review identifies issues.
Pro tip: Check status regularly. Online, phone, documentation. See our EIN guide for status checking.
Common Issues
Identify common issues:
Processing Delays
What causes delays:
- High application volume
- Incomplete information
- Document processing
- System issues
Why it matters: Delays slow progress.
Information Errors
What causes errors:
- Incorrect business name
- Wrong address
- Invalid entity type
- Missing information
Why it matters: Errors cause rejections.
Duplicate Applications
What causes duplicates:
- Multiple submissions
- System confusion
- Reapplication attempts
- Processing conflicts
Why it matters: Duplicates create problems.
Pro tip: Identify common issues. Delays, errors, duplicates. See our mistakes guide for prevention.
Rejection Reasons
Understand rejection reasons:
Information Mismatches
What causes rejections:
- Name doesn’t match formation
- Address is incorrect
- Entity type is wrong
- Responsible party invalid
Why it matters: Mismatches cause rejections.
Missing Information
What causes rejections:
- Incomplete application
- Missing documents
- Unanswered questions
- Required fields blank
Why it matters: Missing information causes rejections.
Invalid Applications
What causes rejections:
- Entity not formed
- Application too early
- Invalid responsible party
- System errors
Why it matters: Invalid applications are rejected.
Pro tip: Understand rejection reasons. Mismatches, missing information, invalid applications. See our mistakes guide for details.
Resolution Steps
Follow resolution steps:
Identify Problem
What to identify:
- Specific issue
- Root cause
- Error details
- Required fix
Why it matters: Identification enables resolution.
Correct Information
What to correct:
- Fix errors
- Complete missing information
- Update documents
- Verify accuracy
Why it matters: Correction resolves issues.
Resubmit Application
What to resubmit:
- Corrected application
- Complete information
- Updated documents
- Verified details
Why it matters: Resubmission enables processing.
Pro tip: Follow resolution steps. Identify, correct, resubmit. See our mistakes guide for correction.
Escalation Paths
Use escalation paths:
IRS Support
What to contact:
- IRS phone support
- Business and Specialty Tax Line
- Application assistance
- Status inquiries
Why it matters: Support provides help.
Documentation Submission
What to submit:
- Corrected application
- Supporting documents
- Explanation letters
- Appeal materials
Why it matters: Documentation supports resolution.
Professional Assistance
What to consider:
- Tax professional help
- Business formation service
- Legal assistance
- Application support
Why it matters: Professionals provide expertise.
Pro tip: Use escalation paths. IRS support, documentation, professional assistance. See our EIN guide for support.
Your Next Steps
Troubleshoot issues. Resolve problems. Get your EIN.
This Week:
- Review this guide
- Check application status
- Identify any issues
- Begin resolution
This Month:
- Resolve application issues
- Correct any errors
- Resubmit if needed
- Receive EIN confirmation
Going Forward:
- Use EIN for business needs
- Maintain accurate records
- Update information as needed
- Avoid future issues
Need help? Check out our EIN application guide for getting your EIN quickly, our mistakes guide for avoiding errors, our processing guide for application methods, and our registered agent guide for business address setup.
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FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions About What to Do If Your EIN Application Gets Stuck or Rejected
How do I check whether my EIN application is stuck or still processing normally?
Check your application status on the IRS website or call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line to get a processing update and estimated completion timeline.
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Start with an online status check using any confirmation number or reference you received when submitting. If you applied online, you should have received your EIN immediately—if not, the application may have encountered an error during submission.
For fax or mail applications, call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line with your application details ready. Normal processing is 4-5 business days for fax and 4-6 weeks for mail. If your application exceeds these timelines, it's likely stuck and needs follow-up.
What are the most common reasons an EIN application gets rejected?
Incorrect business name that doesn't match formation documents, wrong entity type, invalid responsible party information, missing required fields, and duplicate applications.
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Information mismatches are the leading cause of rejection. If the business name on your EIN application doesn't exactly match your formation documents filed with the state, the IRS will reject it. Similarly, selecting the wrong entity type or providing an address that doesn't match creates a mismatch.
Other common rejection triggers include an invalid responsible party (the person must have a valid SSN or ITIN), incomplete applications with blank required fields, and duplicate applications submitted when a previous one is already in the system. Applying before your entity is officially formed with the state also causes rejections.
What should I do if my EIN application was rejected?
Identify the specific reason for rejection, correct the errors in your application, verify all information matches your formation documents, then resubmit.
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First, determine exactly why the application was rejected by reviewing any correspondence from the IRS or calling their support line. The specific error dictates the fix—a name mismatch requires matching your formation documents, a missing field requires completing the information, and a duplicate application requires resolving the conflict.
Before resubmitting, verify every detail against your original formation documents: business name spelling, entity type, responsible party information, and address. Submit the corrected application and keep copies of everything for your records. If the rejection reason is unclear, consider using a tax professional or formation service to handle the resubmission.
When should I escalate my EIN application issue beyond standard IRS support?
Escalate when your application has been stuck beyond normal processing times, standard support can't resolve the issue, or you've resubmitted and been rejected again.
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Standard escalation starts with the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line. If phone support can't resolve your issue, submit a written explanation with supporting documentation including your corrected application, formation documents, and any correspondence about the rejection.
If IRS channels aren't resolving the problem, consider professional assistance from a tax professional, attorney, or formation service. These professionals have experience navigating IRS processes and may identify issues you're missing. They can also submit applications on your behalf with proper documentation to reduce the chance of another rejection.
How can I prevent my EIN application from being rejected in the first place?
Ensure your business name exactly matches your formation documents, select the correct entity type, provide complete and accurate responsible party information, and submit only one application.
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Prevention starts with your formation documents. Before applying for an EIN, confirm your entity has been officially formed with the state and you have your filed articles of incorporation or organization. Then ensure every detail on your EIN application matches those documents exactly—business name, entity type, and address.
Use a checklist approach: verify the responsible party has a valid SSN or ITIN, complete every required field, double-check all information before submitting, and never submit a second application while one is pending. Keep copies of your application and confirmation for troubleshooting if issues arise later.
Can I apply for an EIN again after my application was rejected?
Yes, you can correct the errors and resubmit your EIN application after addressing the specific reason for rejection.
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A rejection doesn't prevent you from applying again. Identify the rejection reason, make the necessary corrections, verify all information is accurate, and submit a new application. If you apply online, you can get an immediate response on whether the corrected application is accepted.
However, be careful not to create duplicate applications—if a previous application is still in the system, submitting another can cause additional complications. If you're unsure whether a prior application was fully rejected or is still pending, call the IRS to clarify before resubmitting.
Sources & Additional Information
This guide provides general information about troubleshooting EIN application issues. Your specific situation may require different considerations.
For EIN application, see our EIN Application Guide.
For common mistakes, see our Mistakes Guide.
For processing methods, see our Processing Guide.
For registered agent services, see our Registered Agent Guide.
Consult with professionals for advice specific to your situation.
