An EIN-linked record can help identify a business. VATFind does not confirm an EIN’s status with the IRS.
BEFORE YOU START
Collect the inputs that prevent a false match.
- Nine-digit EIN exactly as supplied
- US legal company name and state when known
- State registration number kept in a separate field
- Current W-9 or other business documentation when required
- Eligibility and purpose confirmed before using IRS TIN Matching
SOURCE MAP
Use the source that answers the actual question.
| Question | Evidence source | Retain |
|---|---|---|
| Which state-registered legal company is this? | State business registry or sourced company record | Legal name, state, registration number and address |
| Which source reports the EIN? | Business document, filing or company-data record | EIN, source, date and associated entity |
| Does a submitted name/TIN combination match IRS records? | IRS TIN Matching for eligible authorised payers | Submitted combination and IRS response under the service rules |
| Should the vendor be approved? | Onboarding, tax, bank and risk policy | Evidence set, exceptions and reviewer decision |
What is an EIN?
An Employer Identification Number is a federal tax identifier issued by the IRS for businesses and other entities. It is a different identifier from a company’s state registration number.
The IRS provides official information about obtaining and managing an EIN. Use that guidance for questions about your own number or registration.
IRS: Employer identification numberSearch by EIN in VATFind
Choose United States, select Check VAT / EIN, and enter the nine-digit EIN. VATFind accepts common spacing and hyphen formatting. If you know the state, add it to help narrow the search.
The search looks for an associated record in the company-data source. Compare the legal name, state, and available registration details with the business you intended to check.
What a match does—and does not—mean
A match means the source returned a record associated with your search. It is not a direct confirmation from the IRS, and it does not establish a company’s tax compliance or an EIN’s current standing.
A missing match can reflect coverage, input, or record differences. Review the search inputs or use another appropriate evidence source.
When you need stronger evidence
Ask the business for appropriate documentation through your normal onboarding process. For questions about your own EIN, follow the IRS’s official instructions.
Keep the type and source of your evidence clear. A company-data lookup, a state registry record, and an IRS document serve different purposes.
Do not confuse EIN discovery with IRS TIN Matching
IRS TIN Matching is available to eligible authorised payers for a defined compliance purpose. It checks a submitted taxpayer name and TIN combination; it does not let the public enter a company name and reveal the EIN. Access, use and retention must follow the IRS service rules.
If a vendor gives your organisation an EIN, a company-data result can help identify the associated legal entity. Where your organisation is eligible and the tax workflow requires it, the IRS response is a separate evidence item. Neither check replaces onboarding, bank or fraud controls.
IRS: Taxpayer Identification Number MatchingKeep state company identity and federal tax identity separate
A US company can be formed in one state, registered to do business in others and use an EIN issued for federal tax administration. Those identifiers belong to different namespaces. A workflow should store the state and registration authority with each company number while keeping the EIN as a federal tax identifier.
This distinction matters during duplicate detection. Similar legal names in different states should not be merged because an address resembles another record. Resolve the state entity first, compare the source-reported EIN and retain the evidence supporting any cross-record link.
PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
Is an EIN publicly searchable for every US business?
No. The IRS does not operate a universal public reverse directory for private-company EINs. A source-reported company-data match can help, but coverage and evidence must be stated clearly.
Is an EIN the same as a state company number?
No. An EIN is a federal tax identifier. A state registration number identifies an entity in a state business registry. Store and compare them separately.
Can VATFind verify an EIN with the IRS?
No. VATFind can match a source-reported EIN to a company-data record. It does not perform IRS TIN Matching or claim an IRS confirmation.
What does IRS TIN Matching do?
For eligible authorised payers, it checks a submitted taxpayer name and TIN combination against IRS records under the service rules. It is not a public EIN discovery service.
Why should state be included in a company-name search?
Different states can contain similarly named LLCs and corporations. State, legal suffix, registration number and address help identify the intended legal entity before an EIN is used.
When was this guide last reviewed?
VATFind reviewed this guide on 7 September 2026. Rules, authority services, and source coverage can change, so check the linked official reference before making a current tax or legal decision.
This guide explains the lookup and evidence process; it is not tax or legal advice. Official services, coverage and requirements can change. The review date records VATFind's content review, not a guarantee that every linked authority changed on that date.