An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit tax ID the IRS assigns to businesses. You need one to open a US business bank account, file US tax returns, hire employees and set up payment processors. Non-residents can obtain an EIN, but the process differs from the one US residents use.
Why the online application usually fails for non-residents
The IRS online EIN application requires the "responsible party" to have an SSN or ITIN. If you are a non-resident without either, you cannot complete the online form. The alternative is Form SS-4, which can be submitted by fax, mail or, for international applicants, by phone.
What you need before you start
- The LLC or company must already exist: you need the formation document (for example, the Certificate of Formation) and the exact legal name
- The registered agent's US address (or the company's US mailing address)
- The responsible party's full name and country of residence, usually the owner or a senior officer
- The business start date, tax year end (December 31 for most) and a brief description of the activity
Completing Form SS-4
The IRS publishes instructions for each line, and you should follow them exactly because small errors cause rejection. A few points that commonly cause confusion for non-residents:
- Line 7b (SSN, ITIN or EIN of the responsible party): if you have none, write "Foreign" rather than leaving it blank.
- Line 8a to 8c (LLC details): state the number of members and whether the LLC was organized in the United States.
- Line 9a (type of entity): a single-member LLC owned by a non-US person is normally shown as a disregarded entity; a multi-member LLC is shown as a partnership. If the LLC elects corporate tax treatment, that is different.
- Line 16 and 18: choose the closest description of the business, and answer line 18 about prior EIN applications accurately.
- Signature: signed by the responsible party. A third-party designee, such as your accountant, can be authorized to receive the EIN on your behalf.
Ways to submit
| Method | How it works | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| Phone (international) | An IRS representative takes the details and assigns the EIN during the call | Same day, subject to call availability |
| Fax | Send the signed SS-4 to the IRS number listed for international applicants | Often within a week |
| Post the SS-4 to the IRS address for international applicants | Several weeks, longer from abroad |
Always take the current phone and fax numbers from the IRS website or the SS-4 instructions, since they are updated from time to time.
What you receive
The IRS issues a confirmation letter (CP 575 or an assignment letter) showing the EIN. Keep this letter safe: banks and platforms will ask for it, and replacing it requires another request to the IRS.
Do not pay for an EIN
The IRS never charges for an EIN. Websites that charge a high fee for the "registration" are selling convenience, not a government requirement. A professional fee for completing the form correctly and handling the follow-up is reasonable; a surcharge presented as a government fee is not.
Common reasons for delay or rejection
- Entity name that does not exactly match the formation document
- Line 7b left blank
- Illegible fax or missing signature
- Choosing the wrong entity type for the number of owners
- Applying before the state has approved the LLC
What to do after you have the EIN
Open the business bank account, set up bookkeeping and put the annual Form 5472 filing on your calendar. If you also need a personal tax number for filing or treaty claims, read ITIN vs EIN vs SSN. We handle the entire process through our US company formation service.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN?
Yes. Foreign applicants without an SSN or ITIN apply with Form SS-4 by fax, mail or phone instead of the IRS online form.
Is an EIN free?
Yes. The IRS issues EINs at no charge. Any fee you pay is for a service provider's work, not a government fee.
How long does it take to get an EIN as a non-resident?
By phone it can be the same day. By fax it is often within a week, and by mail it can take several weeks.
Keep reading
What an EIN is and what it is not
An Employer Identification Number is a nine-digit number issued by the IRS to identify a business for tax purposes. It is used to open bank accounts, file returns, hire employees and complete applications on payment and marketplace platforms. It is not a Social Security number, does not give work authorization and does not make you a US tax resident. The IRS issues one EIN per entity, and an entity keeps it for life even if the owner or address changes.
Who is the responsible party?
Form SS-4 requires you to name a responsible party, the person who ultimately owns or controls the entity and its funds. For a single-member LLC this is generally the owner. Foreign owners with no US taxpayer number can still be named. If the responsible party changes, the entity must file Form 8822-B within 60 days. Keeping this information current matters because the IRS uses it to contact the entity and verify filings.
Using a third-party designee
A foreign owner can authorize a third party designee on Form SS-4 to receive the EIN on their behalf. This can speed up the process because the designee can follow up with the IRS and receive the confirmation, and the owner does not need to wait for international mail. It requires care, because the form must be signed and the information must match the formation documents exactly. We can act as designee where you ask us to.
Common Form SS-4 entries for non-resident LLC owners
- Line 7b: where no SSN or ITIN exists, enter "Foreign" if you are a foreign person without a US taxpayer number.
- Line 8a to 8c: indicate that the entity is an LLC and the number of members.
- Line 9a: choose the entity type that matches how the LLC will be taxed, such as disregarded entity or partnership.
- Line 10: choose "Started new business" for a new LLC.
- Line 16 and 17: describe the principal activity and what the business sells or provides.
Each entry must match the state formation record. Differences in names or addresses are a leading cause of delay. See the full LLC formation steps for the details around it.
Confirmation letters and replacements
After the EIN is assigned, the IRS issues a confirmation letter, often called a CP 575 notice. Banks and platforms sometimes ask for this letter specifically. If you lose it, you can request a verification letter known as a 147C letter from the IRS, which can serve the same purpose. Store the EIN letter with your formation documents and share it only through secure channels.
How banks and platforms use your EIN
Most US banks ask for the EIN, formation documents and owner identification. Payment processors and marketplaces compare the legal name and address on the EIN letter with the information you enter. A mismatch can freeze payouts or block account opening. Keep the name exactly as filed with the state, and update all providers if the address changes.
EIN, ITIN and SSN compared
The three numbers serve different purposes. An EIN identifies a business, an ITIN allows eligible individuals to file US tax returns without an SSN, and an SSN is issued to those authorized to work in the US. Most non-resident LLC owners need only an EIN. An ITIN may be needed when the owner must file a personal US return or claim a treaty benefit. See ITIN vs EIN vs SSN.
State tax IDs and other registrations
The EIN is a federal number only. Hiring employees requires state withholding and unemployment accounts, selling taxable goods requires sales tax permits and some cities require local licences. We confirm these registrations after your EIN arrives, as part of company formation. We then add the dates to your compliance calendar, including US tax deadlines.
Troubleshooting a rejected or delayed application
- Check that the legal name and address match the formation record exactly.
- Confirm that the right entity type and member count were selected.
- Make sure the responsible party details are complete and consistent.
- Allow time for international processing before submitting again.
- Avoid submitting multiple applications for the same entity.
If an application is stuck, we can review it and follow up with the IRS or prepare a corrected form.
How we help
We prepare the Form SS-4, review it against your formation documents, submit it and follow up until the EIN letter arrives. If you need a bank account next, we prepare the document pack, and we then set up bookkeeping so the new entity starts clean. Book a free consultation to get started.
More EIN questions
Can I apply for an EIN before the LLC is formed? No. The entity must exist first.
Does the EIN expire? No. It stays with the entity unless the entity is closed.
Is there a fee? The IRS charges nothing. Be cautious of third-party sites that charge a high fee for a simple form.
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