If you got reference number 101 while applying for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) online, the IRS system likely flagged a naming conflict it couldn’t resolve automatically. Your legal entity name looked too close to one on file, so the online tool gave you a code instead of an EIN. It’s not necessarily a rejection, and it doesn’t mean anything is wrong with your business. But a person must review the details before your EIN can be issued.

Below, we’ll explain what can trigger IRS EIN reference number 101, how to fix it through the IRS’s phone line or Form SS-4, and how long different solutions take.

Key takeaways

• Reference number 101 means you probably can’t finish your application online.

• You can resolve the issue by calling the IRS or submitting Form SS-4 by fax or mail.

• Matching your application exactly to your state formation documents can help prevent this error.

What is IRS EIN reference number 101?

EIN reference number 101 typically shows up when the IRS system spots a name conflict. The system halts the application and gives you that code instead of an EIN. The IRS needs someone to review your details and confirm there’s no duplication before it’ll issue your EIN, so you’ll have to finish the process through a different channel from the one you started with.

What causes EIN reference number 101?

A few scenarios can cause this error. The name you entered might be registered by another business, your name might be too similar to another business’s name, or you might have made a typographical error. Any of these errors can prompt the need for human review.

How do you resolve EIN reference number 101?

The easiest solution to resolve EIN reference number 101 is often calling the IRS. You’ll be directed to a representative who can review your entity’s naming conflict. Before calling, you’ll want to have your formation documents ready, including the exact legal name as filed with your state.

Another option is submitting Form SS-4 to apply for an EIN by fax or mail instead of using the website. This is the same form the online system fills out in the background, but a person at the IRS will review it manually. You’ll enter the same entity information you tried to submit online, then send it to whichever fax number or mailing address the SS-4 instructions list for your state.

How long does it take to fix EIN reference number 101?

The method you choose to resolve EIN reference number 101 determines how long it’ll take. Phone resolution is likely quicker, assuming the representative can confirm your entity is distinct from whatever triggered the error. Fax submissions are processed 12 business days after receipt. Mailed applications take up to 30 days because they move through standard mail processing queues rather than a dedicated fax line. Unless you have a reason to submit by mail, it’s worth avoiding for this particular fix.

If you’re on a deadline (e.g., you need the EIN to open a business bank account or file a required election), the phone line could be worth any hold time.

How can you avoid EIN reference number 101 when applying?

Here are some best practices to reduce the risk of encountering this error:

• Match your application exactly to your formation documents: The legal name on your EIN application should be identical to the name on your articles of incorporation or organization, down to punctuation and suffix.

• Wait until incorporation is fully finalized before applying: Filing for an EIN before your state has approved your formation documents can create timing conflicts.

• Search for entities with similar names first: A search of your state’s business registry will tell you whether a name close to yours is taken so you can adjust it before you ever reach the EIN application.

• Use a formation platform to keep your naming consistent: A service can incorporate your company and help keep the legal name used for incorporation, banking, and your EIN application consistent across every step.

What other EIN reference numbers might you encounter?

Reference number 101 isn’t the only code the IRS’s online system generates when it can’t automatically process an application. Here are a few others that can appear:

• Reference number 102: This typically points to a mismatch between the responsible party’s name and their Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

• Reference number 109: This can show up when there’s a technical error with the system. You should still be able to get your EIN online.

• Reference number 115: This usually appears when the responsible party appears to be deceased.

How Stripe Atlas can help

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FAQs about IRS EIN reference number 101