How to Get an EIN for Your SPV (LLC Structure)

How to Get an EIN for Your SPV (LLC Structure)

Welcome to an All Things SPVs session, brought to you by Sally. In this article, we’ll walk through how to generate an EIN (Employer Identification Number) for your LLC-based SPV, using the IRS online EIN Assistant.

This is a critical step for opening a bank account, and filing taxes—so let’s make sure you get it done right.

⚠️ Note: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We recommend speaking with a qualified attorney before proceeding.

🚀 Where to Start

Begin your application at the IRS EIN Assistant. It’s free and available during business hours (7am–10pm EST, Monday–Friday).

Before you begin, have ready:

• Your SPV’s legal name and physical address
  
  
• The responsible party’s name and SSN/ITIN, and
• Your formation documents
  
  

Step-by-Step EIN Application for an LLC SPV

✅ Step 1: Select Entity Type

• Click on the “Apply for an EIN” button
  
  
• Click on the “Begin Application” button
  
  
• Choose “Limited Liability Company (LLC)”
  
  
• On the next screen, select “Continue”
  
  
• On the next screen, enter “2” (or some number larger than 2) for the number of members. Entering 2 is sufficient regardless of the number of investors the SPV will have.
  
  
• Select the state where the LLC is physically located. This usually is where the Manager is located.
• Click Continue
  
  
• Click Continue again on the next screen

✅ Step 2: Identify - Why is the LLC requesting an EIN?

• Select "Started a new business"
  
  
• Click Continue to move to the next section
  
  

Step 3: Responsible Party

This is the individual who is forming and managing the SPV. This person must have a valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

You’ll enter:

• Full legal name
  
  
• SSN or ITIN
  
  

Then select:

• “I am the responsible party” if you're the organizer
  
  
• Only select "Third Party Designee" if a law firm or external service is completing the application for you
  
  

Step 4: Business Address

You’ll need to enter the physical address of your SPV.

🔒 No PO boxes allowed.

This should be the location where your SPV is operating or managed from. A separate mailing address is optional and can be added after this step.

Step 5: Details About the LLC SPV

• Legal Name: Use the exact name listed in your SPV formation documents
  
  
  ✅ Double and triple check this!
  
  
  
• Trade Name (DBA): Skip this section for SPVs
  
  
• County and State: These fields are auto-filled based on your earlier entries
  
  
• State/Territory where articles of organization are filed: This is the state you set up your SPV in. Typically it is Delaware.
  
  
• Start Date: Use the month and year of when your SPV was officially formed

Step 6: Additional Questions

You’ll be asked a series of yes/no questions. For SPVs, the answers are typically:

• Does your business own a highway motor vehicle? → No
  
  
• Does your business involve gambling/wagering? → No
  
  
• Does your business need to file Form 720? → No
  
  
• Does your business sell or manufacture alcohol, tobacco, or firearms? → No
  
  
• Do you have or expect to have employees? → No
  
  

Step 7: Business Activity

When prompted to select a business category:

• Choose “Other”
  
  
• Choose “Other” again
• In the description field, type:
  “Any legal purpose”
  
  
• Continue to the next section
  
  

Step 8: EIN Confirmation Letter Delivery

You’ll be given two delivery options for your EIN confirmation letter:

• Receive Letter Online (PDF) – Highly Recommended
  
  
  
  • You’ll get the letter instantly, but you must download it immediately
    
    
• Mail it to me – Takes several weeks
  
  

⚠️ If you forget to download the letter, you’ll need to call the IRS to have it mail you the confirmation letter.

Step 9: Review and Submit

You’ll be shown a summary of all the information you’ve entered. Carefully review:

• The legal name (triple check this!)
  
  
• Address and responsible party details
  
  

Once confirmed, click Submit.

🎉 The IRS will immediately issue your EIN and show a PDF confirmation letter.
Make sure to download and save this letter—it’s needed for:

• Opening a bank account
  
  
• Filing taxes
  
  
• Investor documentation
  
  

You Did It!

You now have an EIN for your LLC SPV. The process is nearly identical for LP SPVs—just be sure to select the right entity type at the start.

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