What does reference number 115 mean when applying for an EIN online?

Reference number 115 (sometimes referred to as an error code) means that the IRS system has your responsible party listed as deceased.

What To Do

  1. Call the IRS at 800 - 829 - 4933.
  2. Get instructions from the IRS representative.
  3. Be prepared to provide proof that the information in their system is false and that your responsible party is not deceased.
  4. Follow the rest of the IRS’s instructions, which may include a request to fax your application instead of applying online.
Need to apply via fax?

You can use Clerky to do it completely online. Just answer a few simple questions, sign the application electronically, and we'll fax it for you. We'll notify you as soon as we get the EIN from the IRS.

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