EIN Validator

Instantly validate the structure and prefix of a U.S. Employer Identification Number (EIN). Great for quick checks in onboarding, KYB, and bookkeeping workflows.

Validate an EIN

We do not store or transmit EINs. Validation is done entirely in your browser.

Bulk EIN Validator

Paste a list of EINs (one per line). We’ll validate each and highlight any that fail structural checks.

How this EIN validator works

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a 9-digit tax ID issued by the IRS to businesses and certain other entities. This tool performs client-side structural validation only. It does not query IRS databases or confirm that an EIN is actually assigned to a specific business.

Validation rules we apply

  • Length check: After removing spaces and separators, the EIN must contain exactly 9 digits.
  • Character check: Only digits are allowed; letters or special characters cause an error.
  • Hyphen placement: If present, the hyphen must be after the first two digits (format XX-XXXXXXX).
  • Prefix check: The first two digits (prefix) must be non-zero and match the historical IRS prefix ranges.
  • Leading zeros: Prefix 00 is not valid for EINs and will be rejected.

Accepted input examples

  • 12-3456789 → valid (normalized to 12-3456789)
  • 123456789 → valid (normalized to 12-3456789)
  • 98 - 7654321 → valid after trimming and cleaning

Rejected examples

  • 00-1234567 → invalid prefix
  • 12-345678 → too few digits
  • 12-34567890 → too many digits
  • AB-1234567 → contains letters

About EIN prefixes

Historically, the first two digits of an EIN indicated the IRS campus or region that issued the number. While EINs are now issued centrally, the prefix ranges are still useful for plausibility checks.

Prefix range Issuing campus / notes
01–09 Northeast (Boston, New York, etc.)
10–19 Cincinnati / Midwest
20–27 Philadelphia / Mid-Atlantic
30–34, 36–39 Southeast (Atlanta, etc.)
40–49 Central / Midwest
50–59 West / Southwest
60–69 West Coast
70–73, 75–77 Small Business / centralized processing
80–88 International / special entities
90–99 Other special assignments

Prefix mapping is approximate and based on publicly available IRS documentation. It is not a guarantee of current issuing location.

Limitations and compliance notes

  • This tool does not verify that an EIN is active, assigned, or matches a specific legal name.
  • It does not replace IRS official verification or professional tax/legal advice.
  • For high-stakes use (banking, KYB, regulated industries), combine this check with official IRS procedures and third-party KYB services.

When to use an EIN validator

  • Quickly catching typos when entering vendor or client EINs.
  • Pre-validating EINs in online forms before submission.
  • Cleaning up spreadsheets of tax IDs by flagging obviously invalid entries.

Frequently asked questions

What does this EIN validator actually check?

It checks that the EIN is 9 digits long, contains only numbers, has an optional hyphen in the correct place, and uses a prefix that matches known IRS ranges. If any of these checks fail, the EIN is marked as structurally invalid.

Can this tool tell me who an EIN belongs to?

No. For privacy and security reasons, this tool does not identify the business or person behind an EIN. It only validates the format and prefix. To confirm ownership, contact the IRS or use an approved KYB provider.

Is this enough for tax or compliance purposes?

No. Structural validation is only a first step. For tax filings, onboarding, or compliance, you should follow official IRS guidance and your organization’s internal policies, and consult a qualified professional when needed.

Is my EIN data stored or sent anywhere?

No. All validation logic runs in your browser using JavaScript. We do not send EINs to a server or persist them.