Legal Setup for a New Church · Part 2 of 5
Step 2: Obtain a federal EIN
Your ministry’s own federal ID number — free, and often available the same day. Here’s what it is and exactly how to get one.
With your Articles of Incorporation approved in Step 1, your ministry now legally exists — but the federal government still needs a way to identify it. That’s what this step is for. Once your Articles have been accepted, you apply for a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) with the IRS.
What is an EIN?
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number (it looks like 12-3456789) that the IRS assigns to your ministry so it can identify your organization for tax and financial purposes.
A simple picture
Think of the EIN as your ministry’s Social Security number. Just as a person has one number that identifies them to the government, your ministry gets its own number that identifies it — separate from you and from every other organization.
Why your ministry needs one
You’ll be asked for the EIN again and again as you set the ministry up. It’s required before you can:
Open a bank account
Banks won’t open an account in the ministry’s name without its own EIN.
Handle taxes & payroll
You’ll need it to file required forms and to pay any staff you bring on.
Apply for 501(c)(3) status
The IRS tax-exempt application in Step 5 asks for your EIN up front.
Operate officially
From renting a mailbox to signing up for vendors and grants, your EIN is your ministry’s identifier.
The one thing to remember
Getting an EIN is completely free, directly from the IRS. Several look-alike websites charge a fee to “help” you get one — you never need them. Always apply straight through the official IRS site or by submitting Form SS-4 yourself.
How to apply
You apply by completing Form SS-4, and there are a few ways to submit it. Choose based on how fast you need the number and whether you can use the online tool.
| Method | How fast | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Immediately | The easiest option. Available Mon–Fri, about 7 a.m.–10 p.m. ET. The applicant must have an SSN or ITIN. |
| Fax | About 4 business days | A good fallback if you can’t use the online tool. Include a return fax number. |
| About 4 weeks | The slowest option; fine when you’re not in a hurry. | |
| Phone | Same call | Available only to international applicants (those whose principal location is outside the U.S.). |
Apply only after your Articles are approved, and submit through just one method — sending duplicates by both fax and mail only slows things down. Note that the IRS issues just one EIN per responsible party per day.
What you’ll need before you start
- Your ministry’s exact legal name as it appears on your approved Articles.
- Its formation date and the state where it was incorporated.
- The responsible party’s name and their SSN or ITIN.
- Your ministry’s mailing address.
Who is the “responsible party”?
The IRS requires you to name a responsible party — a real individual who ultimately controls the ministry and its funds, such as the founding pastor or board president. It must be an actual leader, not a hired “nominee,” and that person provides their SSN or ITIN on the application.
If the responsible party doesn’t have a Social Security number
This matters for many in our community. The IRS online tool requires the responsible party to have an SSN or ITIN. If your founding leader is a citizen, green-card holder, or otherwise has an SSN or ITIN, the online route works normally. If not, you can still get an EIN — by submitting Form SS-4 by fax or mail instead, and applicants located outside the U.S. may apply by phone. Check the IRS page for the current fax numbers and phone line, since these can change.
After you apply
If you apply online, you’ll receive your EIN immediately, and you can download the confirmation right away — save it. The IRS also issues an official confirmation notice called a CP 575 letter; keep it with your incorporation papers as your permanent proof of the EIN. Good news: an EIN never expires, so once you have it, it’s yours for the life of the ministry (you’d only need a new one if your legal structure fundamentally changes).
Helpful links & forms
Everything here is free and official — you never need a paid service.
Federal (IRS) — free and official
- IRS — Employer Identification Number (for charities & nonprofits)The IRS overview page explaining EINs for organizations like yours.
- IRS — Apply for an EIN (free, direct from the IRS)Where to actually apply online and find the current fax numbers and international phone line.
- About Form SS-4The application form itself, with links to the form and instructions.
- Instructions for Form SS-4 (PDF)Line-by-line help, including who counts as the “responsible party.”
A tip if you’re planting with the SBC
Your sending church, state Baptist convention, or NAMB / Send Network has done this many times and can walk you through it. And once you have your EIN letter, keep it together with your Articles of Incorporation — you’ll hand both to the bank and reuse them in every step that follows.
A word of caution
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Apply only after your Articles are approved, use a single application method, and never pay a third-party site for a free service. IRS procedures, hours, and fax numbers change over time — confirm the current details on the official IRS pages above before you apply.
Legal Setup for a New Church, Part 2 of 5 — within the Slavic Church Planting & Missions Hub. This article is general educational information, not legal or tax advice; IRS procedures, hours, and contact numbers change over time. Confirm current requirements on the official IRS pages before applying.