The good news: getting an EIN for an estate is free, takes about 15 minutes, and you can do it yourself online. This guide walks you through exactly what it is, whether you need one, and how to get it today, without paying a third-party website a dime.

What is an EIN for an estate?

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a nine-digit tax ID issued by the IRS. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with employees in this context. When someone dies, their estate becomes its own taxpayer in the eyes of the IRS, separate from the person who died and separate from you.

The estate needs its own tax ID because the deceased’s Social Security number legally stops being usable for new financial activity at death. Any income the estate earns after the date of death, such as interest, dividends, rent, or proceeds from selling property, gets reported under the estate’s EIN, not the deceased’s SSN.

Does every estate need one?

Not every estate, but most estates that go through any formal settlement do. You need an EIN for an estate if any of these apply:

  • You need to open an estate bank account to collect assets, deposit checks made out to the estate, and pay bills
  • The estate will earn $600 or more in annual gross income (interest, dividends, rent, sale proceeds), which triggers a fiduciary income tax return (Form 1041)
  • You’ve been appointed executor or administrator by a probate court
  • An institution, such as a bank, brokerage, or insurance company, asks for the estate’s tax ID before releasing funds

You generally do not need one if every single asset passed automatically outside the estate — for example, if everything was jointly owned or had a named beneficiary, and no check will ever be made out to “the estate of.” In practice, that’s rare. If you’re not sure, get one anyway: it’s free, and having it costs you nothing.

What you need before you apply

The application is quick, but it can’t be saved mid-way. The IRS tool times out after 15 minutes of inactivity and makes you start over. Have these ready before you begin:

  • The deceased person’s full legal name and Social Security number
  • The date of death and the county and state where the estate is being administered (usually where they lived)
  • Your own name and Social Security number — as executor or administrator, you are the “responsible party”
  • A mailing address for the estate (typically your address)

You do not need to wait for probate to be formally opened in most cases, but if you’ve already received letters of office (also called letters testamentary), keep them handy. Banks will want to see them alongside the EIN.

How to get an EIN for an estate online (the fast way)

Step 1: Go directly to IRS.gov

Use the IRS’s free online EIN Assistant. Search “IRS apply for EIN” or go to irs.gov directly. Be careful here: the top search results are often paid sites that charge $50 to $300 for something the IRS does for free. You never have to pay for an EIN.

Step 2: Choose “Estate” as the entity type

When the application asks what type of entity you’re requesting a number for, select Estate. Don’t select trust, sole proprietor, or anything else. The wrong entity type creates headaches on tax filings later.

Step 3: Enter the deceased’s information, then yours

The application will ask for the deceased person’s name and SSN, then identify you as the responsible party. Answer the remaining questions. Most estates can answer “no” to the questions about employees and specialized tax situations.

Step 4: Submit and save the confirmation letter

If everything checks out, the EIN is issued immediately on screen. Download and print the confirmation letter (CP 575) right away. The IRS does not email it, and replacing it later means a phone call and a wait. Banks will ask to see this letter when you open the estate account.

A few practical notes on the online tool: it’s available Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Eastern (shorter hours on weekends), the application must be completed in one sitting, and the IRS issues only one EIN per responsible party per day.

Other ways to apply: fax and mail

If you can’t use the online tool, you can file IRS Form SS-4 the traditional way:

  • Fax: complete Form SS-4 and fax it to the IRS; you’ll typically get the EIN back within about four business days
  • Mail: the same form by mail takes roughly four weeks
  • Phone: reserved for international applicants whose principal address is outside the U.S.

On Form SS-4, write the estate’s name in the format “Estate of [Full Name], Deceased,” check box 9a for “Estate,” and sign as executor or administrator.

What to do with the EIN once you have it

  • Open the estate bank account. Bring the EIN confirmation letter, a certified death certificate, and your letters of office.
  • Give the EIN to any institution releasing funds payable to the estate.
  • Use it on the estate’s income tax return (Form 1041) if the estate earns $600 or more in a year.
  • Keep the confirmation letter with the estate’s permanent records.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Paying a website for an EIN. The IRS never charges, and the paid sites just file the same free application.
  • Using the deceased’s Social Security number for estate income. This creates tax mismatches that are painful to unwind.
  • Applying as a trust when you mean an estate (or vice versa). If the person had a revocable living trust, the trust needs its own, separate EIN after death.
  • Losing the CP 575 letter. Banks want the original notice, and a replacement (147C letter) requires calling the IRS.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an EIN for an estate cost?

Nothing. The IRS issues EINs for free, whether online, by fax, or by mail. Any site charging a fee is a middleman filing the same free application on your behalf.

How long does it take to get an estate EIN?

Online, the number is issued immediately, and the whole application takes about 15 minutes. Fax takes around four business days, and mail takes about four weeks.

Does a small estate still need an EIN?

If you need an estate bank account or the estate will earn $600 or more in income, yes, regardless of the estate’s size. If literally everything passed by joint ownership or beneficiary designation and nothing is payable to the estate, you may not need one.

The EIN is one task on a list of hundreds that lands on whoever is settling the estate. Honorly does this work for families. If you’d rather not carry this alone, talk to us →