Does a rental property LLC need its own EIN?
A multi-member LLC needs one, because it is taxed as a partnership by default. A single-member LLC that is disregarded for income tax needs one only if it has employees or certain excise taxes, but most owners get one anyway because banks ask for it and it costs nothing.
Why you see two different answers
The IRS's general Employer ID Numbers page lists a limited liability company among the entities that need an EIN to operate. Its page on single-member LLCs is more specific: an LLC needs an EIN if it has any employees or must file certain excise tax forms. Otherwise a single-member LLC that is disregarded for income tax can use its owner's name and taxpayer number.
Both statements are true at once. The single-member page describes the narrow case of a disregarded LLC with no employees, while the general page describes LLCs as a group, most of which are partnerships or have elected corporate tax treatment.
The answer by type of LLC
| Your LLC | Needs its own EIN? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Two or more members, default treatment | Yes | The IRS classifies it as a partnership for federal income tax unless it elects otherwise |
| Elected to be taxed as a corporation | Yes | Corporations need an EIN |
| One member, disregarded, no employees | Not required for income tax | Income tax reporting uses the owner's SSN or EIN |
| One member, with employees | Yes | Employment taxes are reported under the LLC's own name and EIN |
A spouse who co-owns the LLC usually makes it a two-member LLC, which changes the answer. Your tax preparer can tell you how your state's rules and your filing status affect that.
Reasons single-member owners get one anyway
- The bank. Many banks ask for an EIN to open a business account in the LLC's name. The IRS single-member LLC page says an LLC that needs an EIN to open a bank account can apply for one.
- Privacy. Contractors who send you a W-9 do not need your number, but when you file Forms 1099 or fill out vendor forms for the LLC, an EIN keeps your Social Security number off paperwork you hand to others.
- Hiring later. If the LLC ever pays a part-time maintenance worker as an employee, it must use its own name and EIN for employment taxes.
- Clean separation. One LLC per property, each with its own EIN and bank account, keeps each building's money visibly separate.
Example a made-up owner holds three buildings in three single-member LLCs. Each LLC gets its own EIN and its own bank account. For income tax, all three still appear as three columns on the owner's Schedule E, because the LLCs are disregarded. The EINs are used for the bank accounts, vendor forms and any 1099s each LLC files.
How to get an EIN
The IRS online EIN application is free. The IRS says you never have to pay a fee for an EIN and warns to beware of websites that charge for one.
- Form the LLC with your state first, so you have its exact legal name and formation date.
- Have the responsible party's SSN or ITIN ready.
- Finish the application in one sitting: it cannot be saved, and it times out after 15 minutes of inactivity.
- If it is approved, the EIN is issued right away online. Print or save the confirmation letter.
- Plan multiple LLCs over several days: the IRS allows only one EIN per responsible party per day.
The IRS also says you generally need a new EIN when an entity's ownership or structure changes, but not for a change of name, address or responsible party. Adding a second member to a single-member LLC is the kind of change to ask your tax preparer about.
How DoorKeeping handles it
In DoorKeeping, one LLC owns one property, and each property has its own books, bank account, deposits held and profit and loss, while you see every property together. Keeping each LLC's EIN and bank account with its books makes year-end forms easier to assemble. DoorKeeping does not apply for EINs or give tax advice. For the bigger picture of how separate LLCs fit together, read one LLC per property.
Sources
- IRS, Single member limited liability companies, read Oct 29, 2026
- IRS, Employer ID numbers, read Oct 29, 2026
- IRS, Get an employer identification number, read Oct 29, 2026
Questions
- Can a single-member rental LLC use my Social Security number?
- For income tax, yes, if it is disregarded and has no employees: the IRS says it uses the owner's SSN or EIN. Your bank may still require an EIN for the LLC's account.
- Does it cost money to get an EIN?
- No. The IRS says you never have to pay a fee for an EIN, and its online application issues the number immediately if approved.
- Can I get EINs for several LLCs on the same day?
- No. The IRS allows one EIN per responsible party per day, so space the applications out.