Permit guides › Austin › AUS-BF-02
Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN): Austin restaurant guide
IRS
What it is
Your entity's federal tax ID, needed for the sales tax permit, TWC, TABC, banking and payroll.
When a restaurant needs it
Every LLC/corporation and any business with employees.
How to apply
Apply online with the IRS EIN Assistant in one session; the number is issued immediately.
Documents you’ll need
- Entity legal name and formation date
- Responsible party's SSN or ITIN
- Business address
Fee
Free — 'You never have to pay a fee for an EIN'
Processing time
Immediate online
Renewal
None
Who files
The responsible party or an authorized third-party designee.
Good to know
Ignore websites that charge for an EIN. The online session expires after 15 minutes of inactivity and is only open certain hours.
Official source
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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.