I just received my EIN from the IRS and I’m curious about how it’s structured. What do EIN numbers usually start with? Is there a specific format or prefix that indicates something about the business, like its location or type, or are the numbers just random? I want to make sure the EIN I received is valid and formatted the same way as other official EINs
Answer by: abdullah-al-naim
5 days ago
An EIN always has nine digits and is formatted like XX-XXXXXXX. The first two digits are sometimes called the “prefix” and used to identify the IRS processing center that issued it. For example, EINs starting with 20, 26, 27, or 45 are common today. The numbers don’t describe your business type; they just reflect how and where the EIN was assigned.
If you want peace of mind, companies like Business Globalizer and Expedite Formation can help confirm EIN validity and handle IRS communications.
In short: EINs usually start with two digits tied to an IRS center, but the prefix doesn’t affect your business—it’s just part of the format.
