Senator calls for 24/7 access to EIN applications for aspiring business owners

In the United States, Senator Joni Ernst, the chair of the Senate Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus, has taken measures to improve the online application process for employer identification numbers (EINs). On March 25, 2025, she sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, highlighting that the current EIN application tool is only accessible during specific hours on weekdays. This limited accessibility poses challenges for aspiring business owners who often work outside conventional office hours. Entrepreneurs rely on EINs to hire employees, open business bank accounts, and undertake other essential business activities, and the Small Business Administration supports the need for easier access to this service. Ernst expressed her frustration about the IRS's reliance on outdated technology despite significant expenditures on IT over recent years, questioning why such a fundamental tool cannot be available 24/7. In her correspondence, Ernst also requested that the IRS eliminate the duplicative auditing process for taxpayers and asserted that federal employees, especially those in the IRS, should adhere to personal tax compliance standards similar to those of the Americans they audit. She pointed out the IRS's inability to meet the needs of business owners adequately. This request is underlined by Ernst's ongoing mission to increase government efficiency, particularly regarding how the IRS serves small businesses that often do not have the flexibility to operate within traditional office hours. The senator believes that by making the application for EINs available at all times, it would facilitate quicker business start-ups and lessen delays that entrepreneurs currently face. Karla Dennis, CEO and founder of tax strategy firm KDA, weighed in on the issue, stating that 24/7 access to the EIN online application would greatly benefit people wanting to start businesses. Dennis emphasized that with such an option, entrepreneurs would no longer need to wait for IRS offices to open during regular business hours, allowing for a more streamlined entrepreneurial process. She mentioned that many small businesses face additional costs associated with obtaining an EIN through third parties, and having access to this resource independently would alleviate some financial burdens. The IRS, according to its own website, promotes the online application tool as the preferred method for customers to apply for an EIN. However, Ernst's letter points out the ongoing issues surrounding the agency's legacy infrastructure, which is reportedly 30 years behind with substantial budget overruns. This criticism highlights the urgency for technological improvements at the IRS, with Ernst urging officials to consider necessary updates to facilitate better access to essential services for business owners in America. The senator's advocacy is framed within a broader context of ensuring government agencies utilize modern technology effectively to meet contemporary demands.