How Freelance Stenographers and Court Reporting Professionals Can Apply for an EIN as a Single-Member LLC

If you’re a freelancer stenographer, or court reporting professional operating as a single-member LLC, one of the first administrative steps you may need is obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Even though a single-member LLC doesn’t always require an EIN, many self-employed professionals choose to get one for banking, payroll, and tax planning reasons. The good news is that applying for an EIN is free, takes about 10–15 minutes, and can be done directly through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website.

Below is a simple, step-by-step guide designed specifically for solo professionals.

Do Freelancer Stenographers and Court Reporting Professionals Need an EIN?

Most freelancers and court reporters operate as single-member LLCs, which the IRS treats as a disregarded entity by default. This means:

Business income is reported on Schedule C of your personal tax return
An EIN is not required if you have no employees

That said, many freelancers and court reporters still apply for an EIN if they:

Want to open a business checking account
Are paid by agencies or law firms
Plan to hire a scopist, profreader, assistant, or employee
Want to elect S-Corporation tax treatment
Prefer not using their Social Security number on W-9s and invoices

What You’ll Need Before Applying

Before starting the online application, gather the following:

Your LLC’s legal name (exactly as filed with the state)
Your LLC formation date
Your business address
The owner’s name and SSN or ITIN (you are the responsible party)
Confirmation that the LLC has one member
The reason for applying (banking, new business, compliance, etc.)

Estimated time: 10–15 minutes

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for an EIN as a Single-Member LLC

Step 1: Go to the IRS EIN Online Application

Navigate to the IRS EIN application page and select “Apply Online Now.”

Make sure you’re on the official IRS website. The IRS does not charge a fee to issue an EIN.

Step 2: Start the Application

The EIN application must be completed in one session:

You cannot save and return later
The session will time out after 15 minutes of inactivity

Have all information ready before starting.

Step 3: Choose “Limited Liability Company (LLC)”

When asked to select your business structure, choose Limited Liability Company (LLC).

You will then confirm:

The LLC has one member
Which state the LLC is physically located in
Why the LLC is requesting an EIN
- If you are just starting your business, select “Started a new business”
- If you’ve been operating as a sole proprietor, select “Change type of organization”
  - Selecting a reason here does not change how your LLC is taxed

Step 4: Identify the Responsible Party

For a single-member LLC, the responsible party is you.

You’ll need to enter:

Your Social Security Number (SSN) or ITIN
Your full legal name
Your role (select owner)

This information is required even if the LLC uses an EIN instead of an SSN elsewhere.

Step 5: Enter Your LLC’s Business Information

You’ll be asked for:

Physical address and phone number
Legal name of the LLC
Trade name (DBA), if applicable
County and state
Month and year the LLC was formed

Make sure this information matches your state LLC formation documents exactly.

Tell us more about the Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Most of these questions will be answered “No”
For payroll, it is okay to select “No” unless you currently have employees

Step 6: Provided Business Activity and Services

What does your business or organization do:

Select “Other”
Select “Service”
What is the primary service you provide?
- Court Reporting (or what is relevant to you)

Step 7: Review, Submit, and Receive Your EIN Instantly

How would you like to receive your EIN Confirmation Letter?

Select “Receive letter digitally in the next step”

After reviewing the information, hit submit and your EIN is issued immediately.

You’ll be able to:

Download and save your CP 575 EIN Confirmation Letter
Print a copy for your records

Banks and payroll providers often require this document, so store it securely.

Common Mistakes Freelancers & Court Reporters Make

Choosing “sole proprietor” instead of “LLC”
Entering a business name that doesn’t match state records
Assuming an EIN automatically makes the LLC an S-Corp
Paying unnecessary fees to third-party services

Final Thoughts

Applying for an EIN as a single-member LLC is a simple but important step for freelancer stenographers and court reporting professioanls. Even when it’s not legally required, having an EIN makes banking easier, keeps your SSN private, and prepares your business for future growth

Pro tip: Getting an EIN is easy—but deciding whether to stay a disregarded entity or elect S-Corporation status can significantly impact your taxes. That’s a conversation worth having with a CPA who understands self-employed professionals.

EIN Application for Court Reporters