How to get an EIN for your appliance repair business

Good to know before you start

• The application must be completed in one sitting — you can't save and come back. After 15 minutes of inactivity it resets.
• The tool has operating hours (Eastern Time): Mon–Fri 6:00 a.m.–1:00 a.m., Sat 6:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., Sun 6:00 p.m.–midnight.
• One responsible party can receive only one EIN per day.
• Tip: in Chrome you can right-click the page → “Translate” to read it in your language — but type all answers in English.

The application, screen by screen

1. 1

   Open the official IRS page

   Go to irs.gov and search “apply for an EIN online”, or use the direct link — it's the page titled “Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) online”.

   Click the blue “Apply for an EIN” button. No account or login is needed — if something asks you to create an ID.me account with a selfie, you're in the wrong tool; go back to the EIN page.

2. 2

   Choose your legal structure

   Question: “What type of legal structure is applying for an EIN?”

   Choose “Limited Liability Company (LLC)” — this guide follows the LLC path, the standard setup for a repair business.

   Click Continue, read the short description page, Continue again.

3. 3

   LLC details

   “How many members?” — if you're the only owner, enter 1.

   “In what state is the LLC located?” — pick your state.

   The tool tells you how the LLC will be taxed — just Continue.

4. 4

   Why you're requesting an EIN

   Question: “Why is the LLC requesting an EIN?” → choose “Started a new business”.

5. 5

   Responsible party — that's you

   Choose “Individual”, then enter your First name, Last name exactly as on your documents (English letters), and your SSN or ITIN.

   Check “I am one of the owners, members, or the managing member of this LLC”.

6. 6

   Business address

   Enter your physical U.S. address (street, city, state, ZIP — not a P.O. Box) and a phone number.

   If the system suggests a corrected version of your address, click Accept.

7. 7

   Company details

   Legal name of the LLC — exactly as on your formation documents, including “LLC”.

   Trade name / DBA — skip if you don't have one.

   County and state where the business is located; the state where the articles were filed; the month and year you started.

8. 8

   The yes/no questions — usually all “No”

   Heavy highway vehicles over 55,000 lbs? → No. Gambling? → No. Alcohol, tobacco, firearms? → No. Excise taxes? → No.

   “Do you have, or expect to have, employees who will receive a W-2 in the next 12 months?” — if you're not hiring W-2 staff yet (subcontractor techs on 1099 don't count) → No.

   💡 If you answer Yes to employees, the tool adds a few payroll questions — nothing scary, but most new shops answer No.

9. 9

   What your business does

   “What does your business do?” → choose “Other” → then pick or type “Repair and maintenance” — you can describe it as “appliance repair services”.

10. 10

    How to receive your confirmation — important

    Choose “Receive letter online”. You'll get the official confirmation letter (CP 575) as a PDF immediately.

    If you choose “by mail” instead, you'll wait up to a month for the letter.

11. 11

    Submit — and save the PDF right away

    Review the summary page and click Submit.

    Your 9-digit EIN appears on screen together with a download link for the CP 575 letter.

    Download and save that PDF immediately — the IRS does not re-issue it online. Email it to yourself and keep a copy in cloud storage.

If something goes wrong