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District of Columbia . EIN / Federal Tax ID

Get a Federal EIN for your District of Columbia business.

An Employer Identification Number is your business's federal tax ID. District of Columbia entities need one to open a business bank account, hire employees, file federal taxes, and apply for most business credit. The IRS issues it free. File.Business handles the application end-to-end.

Get an EIN with File.Business →

When you need an EIN in District of Columbia

  • Opening a business bank account. Every major bank requires an EIN for District of Columbia entities.
  • Hiring employees or running payroll.
  • Filing federal taxes (1065, 1120, 1120-S, 941, 940).
  • Establishing business credit separate from personal credit.
  • Applying for SBA or commercial loans.
  • Registering for District of Columbia sales tax or payroll tax accounts.

How the EIN process works

  1. 1Form your District of Columbia entity first. EIN comes after formation. SoS file number is required on Form SS-4.
  2. 2Complete Form SS-4. Responsible party SSN or ITIN required. Entity type, NAICS code, ownership structure.
  3. 3Submit to the IRS. Online (US-citizen RP only, immediate), fax (4 days), or mail (4-6 weeks).
  4. 4Receive your CP 575 EIN confirmation letter. Keep this in your Vault. Banks ask for it.

No SSN? Foreign founders forming in District of Columbia can still get an EIN

If the responsible party does not have an SSN or ITIN, the online channel is not available. You must file Form SS-4 by fax or mail. File.Business specializes in EIN applications for non-US founders forming in District of Columbia.

Average turnaround for fax filings: 4 business days. Average for mail: 4-6 weeks. Online: same day, US-RP only.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an EIN for my District of Columbia LLC?
Yes if you have employees, partners, or open a business bank account. Single-member LLCs can technically use the owner's SSN but most banks require an EIN.
How much does an EIN cost?
The IRS issues EINs for free. File.Business charges $99 to handle the application for you, including foreign-founder support.
How long does it take to get an EIN for a District of Columbia business?
Online (US responsible party): same day. Fax: 4 business days. Mail: 4-6 weeks.
Can a non-US citizen get an EIN for a District of Columbia LLC?
Yes. The responsible party does not have to be a US citizen, but the online application is restricted. Fax or mail required.
Do I need an SSN to get an EIN?
No. The IRS accepts non-US responsible parties via Form SS-4 by fax or mail.
What is an EIN vs a District of Columbia state tax ID?
EIN is federal (IRS). {s["name"]} state tax ID is separate, issued by the {s["name"]} Department of Revenue for sales/payroll tax.
Can I get an EIN before forming my District of Columbia entity?
No. Form your entity with the {s["agency"]} first, then apply for EIN.

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Five minutes per filing. State fee passed through at cost. Audit trail and deadline tracking included.

Get an EIN Form in District of Columbia first

Disclosure. File.Business is a private business filing and compliance service. We are not a government agency and are not affiliated with the DC DLCP Corporations Division or any Secretary of State office. You may file directly with the DC DLCP Corporations Division. Information on this page is for general guidance only and is not legal, tax, or accounting advice. Fees and deadlines verified against the DC DLCP Corporations Division as of June 2026 and may change. For entity-specific guidance, consult a licensed District of Columbia attorney or CPA.

Get an EIN . $99
File.Business is a private business filing and compliance service. We are not a government agency and are not affiliated with any Secretary of State office. You may file directly with the appropriate state agency. SOC 2 Type II audited. 220,000+ businesses formed since 2017.