IRS EIN Online Application Errors and What to Do Next

What the IRS says about reference numbers

The IRS does not define them. Its Internal Revenue Manual says: "The online message does not provide a definition of the three-digit reference number (reject code)." (IRM 21.7.13.3.4.1). The tables that would say what each number means are redacted from the public manual.

When you call about a reference number, the manual sends 101 and 115 to an IRS representative. Every other number goes to an automated message telling the caller to correct the information and apply online again, or to send Form SS-4 by mail or fax. The IRS does not save what you typed into a failed application. An agent cannot look it up.

The IRS names the checks the application runs:

• the responsible party's name against their SSN or ITIN
• an existing business name and EIN in the same state
• other front-end checks

It does not say which check produces which number. An explanation of a number found elsewhere is not an IRS statement.

We are unable to provide you with an EIN

This heading comes with 102, 103, 105 and 115, two of the three versions of 101, and one version of 112. The text under it reads:

"We apologize for the inconvenience but based on the information provided we are unable to provide you with an EIN through this online assistant."

With 101 and 115 the message gives phone numbers and asks you to mention the reference number. With 102, 103, 105 and one version of 112 it ends "You must submit a Form SS-4 by fax or mail." (IRS application text, identity step; submit step).

Reference number 101

101 has three versions. Two of them open with "We are unable to provide you with an EIN." and the apology above, then read:

"Please call 1-800-829-4933 Monday - Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time for assistance. Residents of Alaska and Hawaii should follow Pacific time. When outside the U.S., call 267-941-1099 Monday - Friday 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern time. TTY/TDD: 1-800-829-4059."

"Please have your information readily available and mention reference number: 101."

One of the two appears at the identity step, which asks only for the responsible party's name and SSN or ITIN. The other appears at the final submit step. For either, call (800) 829-4933 and give the reference number. From outside the US, call (267) 941-1099. 101 is one of the two numbers the IRS routes to a person.

The submit step's third version is not a rejection. It reads "Please wait for ApplyEIN to finish processing application submission." and then "If problem persists please refresh the page or resubmit the application." Do what it says before you apply any other way. An application still being processed could end in an EIN.

Reference number 102

102 shows the "We are unable to provide you with an EIN" message that ends "You must submit a Form SS-4 by fax or mail." It appears at the identity step. That step's instruction beside the responsible party's name and SSN or ITIN reads "Must match IRS records or this application cannot be processed." (IRS application text). The IRS does not say what 102 means. Because of where it appears, check those two entries first. Then fax or mail Form SS-4.

Reference number 103

103 shows the "We are unable to provide you with an EIN" message that ends "You must submit a Form SS-4 by fax or mail." It appears at the final submit step and gives no phone number (IRS application text). Fax or mail Form SS-4.

Reference number 105

105 shows the "We are unable to provide you with an EIN" message that ends "You must submit a Form SS-4 by fax or mail." It appears at the identity step (IRS application text). The IRS does not say what it means. Fax or mail Form SS-4.

Reference number 112

The heading tells 112's two versions apart.

• "Apply for EIN is experiencing a technical problem." The text reads "We apologize for the inconvenience, but the system is experiencing technical difficulties. Please try back later. If the problem continues, please submit a Form SS-4 by fax or mail." This is a system problem. Try again later in the day, or send Form SS-4.
• "We are unable to provide you with an EIN." At the submit step, 112 can also end "You must submit a Form SS-4 by fax or mail." Send Form SS-4.

The older EIN Assistant used 112 for its technical-difficulties page too (archived IRS page).

Reference number 114

"You've attempted too many requests for today." "A responsible party is limited to receipt of one (1) EIN per business day."

This is the one reference number whose meaning the IRS states on screen (IRS application text). The limit is per responsible party and covers online, phone, fax and mail applications alike (SS-4 instructions). Apply again on the next business day.

Reference number 115

The message matches the call version of 101, with the "We are unable to provide you with an EIN" heading, the apology, the phone numbers, and "mention reference number: 115" (IRS application text). It appears at the identity step and is the other number the IRS routes to a person. Call (800) 829-4933 and give the reference number. From outside the US, call (267) 941-1099.

The IRS does not say what 115 means. It does say the online application checks the responsible party for a date of death. When one is on record, no EIN is assigned and the applicant is sent to the Business & Specialty line (IRM 21.7.13.2.2.3). For a date of death on record in error, the IRS's own script says: "You must contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to correct the information." After that, mail or fax a signed Form SS-4 with the documentation the SSA gives you.

Reference numbers 104, 106 to 111, 113 and 116

None of these numbers has a message of its own in the screen text the IRS publishes for the current application (identity step, submit step). If you call about one, the IRS's automated message tells you to correct the information and apply again, or send Form SS-4 by mail or fax (IRM 21.7.13.3.4.1).

Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) online is currently unavailable

That is the title of the application's service page. Its text reads "We apologize for the inconvenience, but the system is experiencing technical difficulties. Please try back later. If the problem continues, please submit a Form SS-4 by fax or mail." (IRS application text) The shorter heading "Apply for EIN is currently unavailable" carries the same text.

The IRS tells callers who hit a technical-difficulties page to apply online later in the day or send Form SS-4 by fax or mail (IRM 21.7.13.3.4.1.1). The application does not run outside the hours in the next section.

Online application hours and limits

• Hours. The application runs Monday to Friday 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. the next day, Saturday 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday 6:00 p.m. to midnight, Eastern Time (IRS: get an EIN).
• Timeouts. It must be finished in one session and cannot be saved. As 15 minutes of inactivity run out, it asks "Do you need more time?" With no answer it shows "Your session has expired" and you start over.
• Business names. IRS systems accept only letters, numbers, hyphens and ampersands in a business name (IRS EIN page). Enter it as it appears on the formation documents.

Sending Form SS-4 by fax instead

1. Get a fax number the IRS can reply to. The IRS faxes the EIN back to the number in the form's "Applicant's fax number" box. FaxTerra's plans come with a US number from $4.99/month. A one-time number is enough for one filing and its three-week wait, a re-send and its wait, and the call after. It lasts 90 days and costs $14.99 once.
2. Fill in Form SS-4 with the same details you entered online, and write that number in the box.
3. Fax it to (855) 641-6935 for a business in a state or DC. The Fax-TIN lines take faxes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (SS-4 instructions).
4. Wait. The IRS targets 4 business days. On filings sent through FaxTerra, a reply takes about 16 days (measured response times). By mail it takes approximately 4 weeks.

The Form SS-4 guide covers the form and what to do if no reply comes.

Messages from the older EIN Assistant

• "Our online assistant is currently unavailable." The old outage page, also shown outside the hours of operation (archived IRS page). Try later, or send Form SS-4.
• "Technical Difficulties" with "Reference number 112 (for internal use only)." The old page gave three possible causes: access outside the hours of operation, an ineligible entry, or intermittent technical difficulties (archived IRS page).
• "Please call 800-829-4933 for assistance. When outside the US, call 267-941-1099." The IRS manual quotes this as the old message shown with every reference number (IRM 21.7.13.3.4.1).