Start with the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, then compare the organization’s legal name and location with its public filings. An EIN identifies an entity. Finding the number alone does not establish that donations to it are deductible or that its exemption remains in effect. [1][2]
Search by name when you do not know the EIN
The IRS tool can search an organization’s exemption information and filings, including Form 990-series returns, Form 990-N notices, determination letters, Publication 78 data, and automatic revocation records. It accepts an EIN or organization name. [1]
- Open the official IRS search page.
- Choose the data set relevant to your question.
- Try the organization’s legal name or a distinctive part of it.
- Narrow the result using the location where appropriate.
- Compare the result with the organization you intend to identify.
A program name used in fundraising may differ from the legal name in IRS records. The IRS also notes that doing-business-as names are not listed in Publication 78 data. Try the underlying entity name before concluding that no record exists. [1]
Use a public filing to cross-check the number
A public Form 990-series return can help connect an EIN to a legal name, address, and reporting period. Open the actual filing instead of relying only on a search-result headline. Our Form 990 reference explains the return’s role.
Tax-exempt organizations generally have public disclosure obligations for exemption applications and annual returns, subject to the applicable rules and exceptions. If an online search is inconclusive, requesting an available public filing from the organization can be a useful next step. [3]
Distinguish identification from donation eligibility
| Your question | Evidence to examine |
|---|---|
| Which entity is this? | EIN, legal name, and identifying location information |
| Are contributions eligible for a deduction? | The relevant IRS deductibility information and circumstances of the gift |
| Was exemption automatically revoked? | Revocation record and any later reinstatement evidence |
| What has the organization reported? | The applicable public return or notice for the year |
The IRS says an EIN is not itself a tax-exempt number. Nonprofit incorporation and federal recognition of exemption are separate matters. Likewise, a number provided on a donation receipt should be matched to the intended recipient rather than accepted without checking. [2]
What if the name or status does not match?
Ask the organization for its legal name, EIN, and relevant determination or public filing. Note the date of the document. A change in name, sponsorship arrangement, or reinstatement may explain a mismatch, but the explanation should be supported by records.
For example, a local project might operate under a larger entity’s name. Before entering the EIN into a grant or donation record, establish which legal entity actually receives the funds. Keep the supporting documentation with the transaction.
If you are an officer looking for your own EIN
Public search is useful for identification, but confirming your organization’s IRS business account may require an authorized contact. See how to recover or verify an existing EIN and the IRS business contact guide. If the responsible party has changed, review Form 8822-B so the IRS record reflects the appropriate person.
Primary sources
- IRS: Search for tax-exempt organizations
- IRS: Employer identification numbers for exempt organizations
- IRS: Exempt organization public disclosure requirements
Sources checked: October 31, 2026.