I was given an Employer Identification Number (EIN) by a business partner in the U.S., but I’m not sure if it’s real. Can I actually check if an EIN is valid? What steps can I take to confirm whether the number belongs to a legitimate company, and are there any tools or services that can help me do this as a non-resident who isn’t very familiar with the U.S. tax system?
Answer by: abdullah-al-naim
4 weeks ago
Yes, you can verify if an EIN is valid, but there isn’t a public IRS search tool like with SSNs. The easiest way is to ask the business for an IRS-issued EIN confirmation letter (CP 575) or their most recent tax documents showing the EIN. You can also call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line to confirm general information about an EIN if you’re an authorized party or have legitimate business reasons.
If you’re working with U.S. partners, it’s smart to ensure compliance early. Companies like Business Globalizer, Steady Formation help non-residents form LLCs, get EINs, and keep all paperwork official, so you won’t have doubts about validity.
In short: EINs can be verified directly with the IRS or by reviewing IRS-issued documents, always check before doing business.
