You need your EIN fast.
You’re choosing an application method.
You want the fastest option.
You need a comparison.
Online application. Fax application. Service application. Processing times. Your decision.
This guide shows you how.
Method comparison. Processing times. Speed factors. Your choice.
Read this. Compare methods. Choose the fastest option.
Key Takeaways
- Online application is fastest—online EIN applications are typically processed immediately, giving you your EIN number right away
- Fax application takes longer—fax applications usually take 4-5 business days for processing, slower than online but faster than mail
- Service applications vary—third-party services can be fast but add cost and may not be faster than doing it yourself online
- Choose based on urgency—if you need EIN immediately, use online; if you can wait a few days, fax may work
- Verify before proceeding—ensure you have all required information ready before applying to avoid delays from incomplete applications
Table of Contents
Why Method Matters
Method determines speed.
What happens with slow methods:
- Business operations are delayed
- Banking setup is stalled
- Hiring is blocked
- Revenue is lost
What happens with fast methods:
- Operations begin quickly
- Banking setup proceeds
- Hiring can start
- Revenue flows
The reality: Method choice affects your timeline.
Online Application
Understand online application:
Online Process
What online involves:
- Complete form online
- Submit electronically
- Receive EIN immediately
- Print confirmation
Why it matters: Online is fastest.
Online Advantages
What online offers:
- Immediate processing
- Instant EIN number
- No mailing delays
- 24/7 availability
Why it matters: Speed enables operations.
Online Requirements
What online requires:
- Valid SSN or ITIN
- Business information
- Internet connection
- Valid email address
Why it matters: Requirements must be met.
Pro tip: Use online when possible. Fastest processing, immediate EIN, easy process. See our EIN guide for online application.
Fax Application
Understand fax application:
Fax Process
What fax involves:
- Complete Form SS-4
- Fax to IRS
- Wait for processing
- Receive confirmation
Why it matters: Fax takes longer.
Fax Advantages
What fax offers:
- No internet required
- Paper documentation
- Confirmation letter
- Reliable method
Why it matters: Fax works when online doesn’t.
Fax Processing Time
What to expect:
- 4-5 business days
- Processing delays possible
- Confirmation by mail
- Longer wait time
Why it matters: Timing affects operations.
Pro tip: Use fax when needed. No internet required, reliable, but slower. See our EIN guide for fax application.
Service Application
Understand service application:
Service Process
What service involves:
- Third-party handles application
- You provide information
- Service submits application
- You receive EIN
Why it matters: Service adds convenience.
Service Advantages
What service offers:
- Convenience
- Professional handling
- Error checking
- Support available
Why it matters: Service reduces your work.
Service Considerations
What to consider:
- Additional cost
- Processing time varies
- May not be faster
- Service quality matters
Why it matters: Service may not speed things up.
Pro tip: Consider service carefully. Convenience, cost, speed. See our EIN guide for service options.
Processing Comparison
Compare processing times:
Speed Comparison
What to compare:
- Online: Immediate
- Fax: 4-5 business days
- Service: Varies
- Mail: 4-5 weeks
Why it matters: Speed affects operations.
Cost Comparison
What to compare:
- Online: Free
- Fax: Free
- Service: Fee required
- Mail: Free
Why it matters: Cost affects budget.
Convenience Comparison
What to compare:
- Online: Very convenient
- Fax: Moderate convenience
- Service: Very convenient
- Mail: Least convenient
Why it matters: Convenience affects choice.
Pro tip: Compare all factors. Speed, cost, convenience. See our EIN guide for comparison.
Decision Framework
Use this framework:
Assess Your Needs
What to assess:
- Urgency level
- Internet access
- Budget constraints
- Comfort level
Why it matters: Needs determine choice.
Evaluate Options
What to evaluate:
- Processing speed
- Cost considerations
- Convenience factors
- Reliability
Why it matters: Evaluation informs decision.
Make Your Choice
What to choose:
- Fastest if urgent
- Most convenient if busy
- Most reliable if uncertain
- Best value overall
Why it matters: Right choice enables success.
Pro tip: Use decision framework. Assess needs, evaluate options, make choice. See our EIN guide for decision support.
Your Next Steps
Compare methods. Choose the fastest. Apply for your EIN.
This Week:
- Review this comparison
- Assess your urgency
- Choose application method
- Gather required information
This Month:
- Complete EIN application
- Receive EIN confirmation
- Set up business operations
- Begin using your EIN
Going Forward:
- Use EIN for all business needs
- Keep EIN documents organized
- Update EIN records as needed
- Maintain compliance
Need help? Check out our EIN application guide for getting your EIN quickly, our waiting guide for productive tasks, our hiring guide for employee requirements, and our registered agent guide for business address setup.
Stay informed about business strategies and tools by following us on X (Twitter) and signing up for The Initiative Newsletter.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions About Speeding Up EIN Processing: When to Apply Online, By Fax, or Through a Service
How fast can I get an EIN if I apply online?
Online EIN applications through the IRS website are processed immediately, giving you your EIN number right away during the same session.
Learn More...
The IRS online EIN application is available during business hours and provides your EIN instantly upon successful completion of the form.
Requirements for online application include a valid SSN or ITIN, your business information ready, an internet connection, and a valid email address.
Online is the fastest, most convenient, and free method—you complete the form, submit electronically, receive your EIN immediately, and can print your confirmation on the spot.
How long does it take to get an EIN by fax versus online?
Fax applications take 4-5 business days for processing, compared to online which is immediate. Mail takes 4-5 weeks.
Learn More...
Online applications are processed instantly during the session, making it the fastest method by far.
Fax applications using Form SS-4 sent to the IRS typically take 4-5 business days, with the possibility of additional processing delays. You'll receive confirmation by return fax or mail.
Mail applications are the slowest at 4-5 weeks for processing, plus additional time for postal delivery in both directions.
The speed difference is significant: online gives you an EIN in minutes, fax in about a week, and mail in over a month.
Is it worth using a third-party service to apply for an EIN?
Usually not for speed—services add cost and may not be faster than applying online yourself for free, but they can help if you're unfamiliar with the process.
Learn More...
Third-party EIN services charge a fee for handling your application, which includes submitting the form and providing your EIN when received.
The main advantages are convenience, professional error-checking, and support if you're unsure about form requirements.
However, since the online application is free, immediate, and straightforward, a service typically doesn't save time or money for most applicants.
Services may be worth considering if you lack a valid SSN/ITIN (making you ineligible for online), need help determining the correct business entity classification, or are applying for multiple entities simultaneously.
What information do I need to have ready before applying for an EIN?
You need your SSN or ITIN, legal business name, entity type, business address, the reason for applying, and the responsible party's information.
Learn More...
Have your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) ready, as this identifies the responsible party for the business.
Know your legal business name exactly as it appears on formation documents, your entity type (LLC, corporation, partnership, etc.), and your business address.
Be prepared to state your reason for applying (starting a new business, hiring employees, banking needs, etc.) and the date your business started or was acquired.
Having all information gathered before starting the application prevents errors and delays from incomplete submissions—especially important for fax and mail methods where corrections add weeks.
What should I do if my online EIN application doesn't work or isn't available?
Try fax as your next-best option (4-5 business days), or use a third-party service if the form is complex. Mail is the last resort at 4-5 weeks.
Learn More...
The IRS online system has limited hours and can occasionally experience technical issues. If it's temporarily unavailable, try again during IRS business hours.
If you're ineligible for online application (for example, you lack a US-based SSN or ITIN), fax is your best alternative at 4-5 business days processing time.
A third-party service can handle the fax or mail submission for you with error-checking, which may be valuable if you're unsure about correctly completing Form SS-4.
Avoid mail applications unless absolutely necessary—at 4-5 weeks processing time, it can significantly delay your business banking, hiring, and operational setup.
How does the EIN application method I choose affect my business launch timeline?
Online lets you proceed to banking and hiring setup the same day, fax delays you about a week, and mail can delay you over a month.
Learn More...
With an online EIN, you can open a business bank account, set up payroll systems, and begin other EIN-dependent tasks within hours of applying.
A fax application creates a 4-5 business day gap where you can't complete banking setup, payroll configuration, or other tasks that require your EIN number.
A mail application means waiting 4-5 weeks, which can stall your entire launch timeline for business operations, banking, hiring, and revenue generation.
Choosing the fastest available method directly impacts how quickly your business becomes operational. If urgency is high, always try online first, then fax as backup.
Sources & Additional Information
This guide provides general information about EIN application methods and processing times. Your specific situation may require different considerations.
For EIN application, see our EIN Application Guide.
For waiting tasks, see our Waiting Guide.
For hiring employees, see our Hiring Guide.
For registered agent services, see our Registered Agent Guide.
Consult with professionals for advice specific to your situation.
