when applying online you can get an ein immediately it normally takes one week to get an ein when applying by fax the irs also accepts paper mail applications though it quotes an expected turnaround time of four to five weeks 
the bottom linean employer identification number ein is a unique nine digit number that is assigned to a business entity every business needs an employer identification number to report taxes to request an ein applicants must fill out form ss 4 available on the irs website the ein must not be confused with the tax identification number tin which is a broader term used to describe any type of identification number thus an ein is a specific type of tin 