Can you reactivate an old EIN number?
Mia Ramsey
Published Apr 08, 2026
The IRS cannot cancel your EIN. Once an EIN has been assigned to a business entity, it becomes the permanent Federal taxpayer identification number for that entity. Regardless of whether the EIN is ever used to file Federal tax returns, the EIN is never reused or reassigned to another business entity.
Check with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to update and activate your old Employer Identification Number (EIN) by calling 800-829-4933. Even after a company is dissolved, the EIN remains assigned to the original entity, just as a Social Security number is still the number assigned to a deceased individual.
Where can I Find my Lost Ein number?
How to Do an EIN Lookup Online You can locate a lost or misplaced EIN by the following Check to see if you have any notifications from the IRS, they will usually include your EIN number in any letters or notifications. Any previously filed tax return will also contain your EIN.
What happens if I Lose my Ein letter?
If you happen to lose or misplace your original EIN confirmation letter, which is typically a tax ID certificate, you can get an EIN verification letter only from the IRS. This verification letter serves the purpose of the original confirmation letter you received from the IRS.
What should I do if my Ein number is no longer active?
While it is impossible to discard your business’ EIN, it is possible to notify the IRS that the EIN is no longer active. To do this, you must send a letter to the IRS including the full name of the business, the EIN, the business address, and the reason for the account closure. This letter can be faxed to (855) 214-7520 or sent to:
What happens to the Ein number of a business?
The IRS doesn’t cancel or get rid of old EIN numbers. On the contrary, these nine-digit numbers, which have been assigned to a business or legal entity, become permanent federal tax ID numbers for the entity, even if the business ceases to exist.