An employer identification number (EIN), used to identify a business, is also called a federal tax identification number (FTIN). You can call the owner of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Michigan to find out what the LLC's EIN is, or do research on online sources. If you are unsuccessful using free resources, you can pay for a search service.

Call the company. Ask for its federal employer identification number. Most companies will want to verify that you have a legitimate need to obtain the number.

Search for Uniform Commercial Code filings online. Go online to http://www.business.gov/business-law/ucc/. It will be more difficult to obtain an EIN for an organization that does not have any UCC filings.

Use an Internet search service. With Iinfosearch.com, for example, you provide the name of the company and the company's last known address. If Iinfosearch finds a record, you pay $40. If no record is found, Iinfosearch will return all but a $10 search fee. Another search site, FEINSearch.com, provides a free trial so you can test its services. (For website addresses, see Resources.)

Warning

Employer Identification Numbers are similar to Social Security numbers for individuals. Many companies closely guard their EINs. Proceed with caution when using fee-for-service websites that claim to have "complete" databases of EINs.