We get this question a lot, usually from someone filling out a form that asks for both and wondering if they’ve accidentally been asked to provide the same thing twice. They haven’t. A DUNS number and an EIN are two completely different identifiers, issued by two different organizations, for two different purposes. One doesn’t replace the other, and having one doesn’t mean you automatically have or don’t need the other.
We cover this comparison alongside a few other identifiers in our broader guide, DUNS Number vs EIN vs Tax ID: What’s the Difference this post focuses specifically on the DUNS-vs-EIN comparison in detail.
The Core Difference in One Line
A DUNS number identifies your business to Dun & Bradstreet’s global business database, mainly so other companies, platforms, and governments can verify your business exists and is legitimate. An EIN identifies your business to the US Internal Revenue Service, mainly for tax reporting and payroll purposes. They serve entirely different systems.
Who Issues Each One
DUNS number: issued by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), a private business data company. It’s used globally, not just in the US, and businesses in India, the UK, and elsewhere can apply for one directly.
EIN: issued by the IRS (Internal Revenue Service), a US federal government agency. It’s fundamentally a US tax identifier, used for filing taxes, opening US business bank accounts, and handling payroll for US-based employees.
What Each One Is Actually Used For
| DUNS Number | EIN | |
| Issued by | Dun & Bradstreet | US IRS |
| Purpose | Business identity verification | US tax reporting |
| Who needs it | Businesses working with platforms, suppliers, or governments that require verification (globally) | Businesses operating in or with the US that need to file taxes or handle payroll |
| Cost | Free (standard registration) | Free, applied for directly through the IRS |
| Applies to | Any country | Primarily US businesses, or foreign businesses with US tax obligations |
Do You Need Both?
It depends entirely on what you’re doing. A few common scenarios:
1. You’re an Indian business applying for Apple Developer, Google Play, or a similar global platform: You almost certainly need a DUNS number. You likely don’t need an EIN unless the platform specifically requires US tax information, which is uncommon for standard developer or business accounts.
2. You’re a US-based business: You’ll typically need an EIN for tax purposes regardless of whether you ever need a DUNS number. You’d only need a DUNS number if a specific platform, supplier, or government contract requires business verification through D&B.
3. You’re an international business that also has US tax obligations: for example, you sell into the US and are required to file certain US tax forms. In this case, you might genuinely need both: an EIN for US tax compliance, and a DUNS number for business verification purposes, and they’d serve completely separate roles on your paperwork.
Why This Confusion Happens So Often
A lot of generic “how to register your business” content online is written primarily for a US audience, where EIN comes up constantly as a foundational requirement. When that content also mentions DUNS numbers often in the context of government contracting or SAM.gov, readers outside the US, or those unfamiliar with US tax structures, sometimes assume the two are interchangeable or that you need one to get the other. Neither is true. They’re independent identifiers you can apply for separately, and applying for one has no bearing on your eligibility for the other.
If You Don’t Have an EIN, Can You Still Get a DUNS Number?
Yes, absolutely. This is one of the most common questions from applicants outside the US. Since a DUNS number is a global identifier and an EIN is US-specific, you don’t need an EIN to apply for or receive a DUNS number. Indian applicants, for example, use their PAN or GST details instead, wherever the DUNS application asks for a tax identifier. We’ve written a full breakdown of exactly what to use instead in our guide, DUNS Number Without an EIN.
If You Already Have an EIN, Do You Automatically Have a DUNS Number?
No. Having an EIN doesn’t mean D&B has already assigned you a DUNS number the two systems aren’t connected. If you’re a US business with an EIN and you now need a DUNS number for a specific reason (like a government contract or platform requirement), you’ll still need to apply for one separately through D&B, whether or not you already have your EIN in place.
How to Tell Which One a Form Is Actually Asking For
If a form or application asks for a “tax ID” or “identification number” and you’re not sure which one it means, check the context:
- If it’s tied to tax filing, payroll, or opening a US bank account, it’s almost certainly asking for an EIN
- If it’s tied to business verification for a platform, supplier, or contract eligibility, it’s almost certainly asking for a DUNS number
- Some longer government or enterprise forms genuinely ask for both, in separate fields in that case, you provide whichever one applies to your business situation, and leave the other blank if it doesn’t apply to you
Is a DUNS number the same as an EIN?
No. A DUNS number is issued by D&B for business identity verification. An EIN is issued by the US IRS for tax purposes. They’re separate identifiers with separate purposes.
Do I need an EIN to get a DUNS number?
No — a DUNS number is a global identifier, and applicants outside the US use their own country’s tax ID (like PAN or GST in India) instead of an EIN.
Does having an EIN mean I already have a DUNS number?
No. The two systems aren’t connected. You’d need to apply for a DUNS number separately through D&B, even if you already have an EIN.
Which one do I need for an Apple Developer or Google Play account?
Most global developer or business accounts ask for a DUNS number, not an EIN, unless you’re specifically dealing with US tax reporting requirements.
Can a business have both a DUNS number and an EIN?
Yes — this is common for businesses with US tax obligations that also need business verification through D&B. The two serve entirely separate purposes and can both apply to the same business.