Can a non-US resident get an EIN without an SSN?

Yes. Non-US residents can obtain an EIN from the IRS without an SSN or ITIN. The IRS online EIN assistant requires an SSN or ITIN, so non-residents without either must apply by fax (Form SS-4 to 855-641-6935) or mail (to IRS, Attn: EIN International Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999). Fax applications take 4-5 weeks. Mail applications take 4-6 weeks. Our service handles the SS-4 preparation and IRS submission for $97.

How long does it take to get an EIN as a non-resident?

Timeline depends on the method. Online EIN applications (requires SSN or ITIN) are immediate. Fax applications to the IRS take 4-5 weeks. Mail applications take 4-6 weeks. Through our service, we prepare your SS-4 in 3-5 business days and submit by fax. Total time from start to EIN is 5-8 weeks. The IRS does not charge any fee regardless of method.

What is Form SS-4 and how do I fill it out?

Form SS-4 is the IRS Application for Employer Identification Number. It has 18 lines covering entity type, responsible party, business activity, and reason for applying. Non-residents must check the appropriate entity type (LLC, corporation, partnership), list the responsible party with a foreign address, and specify the business start date. The form is available at IRS.gov. Common errors include wrong entity classification and missing foreign address formatting.

Do I need an ITIN to get an EIN?

No. The IRS issues EINs to businesses independently of whether the owner has an ITIN or SSN. You can apply for an EIN with no US tax ID at all by submitting Form SS-4 by fax or mail. However, many non-resident LLC owners need both: an EIN for business taxes and an ITIN for personal tax returns (Form 1040-NR). Single-member LLC income passes through to your personal return.

What is the difference between an ITIN and an EIN?

An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is a personal tax ID for individuals who cannot get an SSN. It starts with 9 and is formatted 9XX-XX-XXXX. An EIN is a business tax ID formatted XX-XXXXXXX. ITINs go on personal returns (1040-NR). EINs go on business returns (1065, 1120). Non-resident LLC owners need both. ITINs cost $0 from the IRS but require Form W-7 and supporting documents.

Can I open a US bank account with just an EIN?

Some banks accept an EIN alone for business accounts. Mercury, Relay, and Wise Business allow non-resident LLC owners to open accounts with an EIN and no SSN/ITIN. Traditional banks like Chase and Bank of America require an SSN or ITIN plus an EIN. Online-first banks have more flexible requirements for international founders. Having both an EIN and ITIN gives you the widest access to US banking.

How much does an EIN cost from the IRS?

The IRS charges $0 for EIN applications. There is no government fee to obtain an EIN, regardless of whether you apply online, by fax, or by mail. Third-party services charge preparation fees for handling the application process. Our service charges $97 for complete SS-4 preparation and IRS submission. Some services charge $200-$500 for the same process.

What documents do I need to apply for an EIN?

To apply for an EIN, you need your LLC formation documents (Articles of Organization), the responsible party's passport or ID, a foreign address, and your business activity description. If you have an ITIN, include it on the SS-4 form. No notarization is required. No certified translations are required for the EIN application itself, unlike ITIN applications which require certified document copies.

Can I get an EIN and ITIN at the same time?

Yes. You can apply for both simultaneously. Many non-resident LLC owners apply for their EIN first because it is faster (4-5 weeks by fax vs. 6-11 weeks for ITIN). Once you have your EIN, you can open a business bank account while your ITIN application processes. Our service offers both: EIN for $97 and ITIN starting at $297.

EIN for Non-Residents 2026: Form SS-4, $0 IRS Fee, How to Apply

What Is an EIN and Why Do Non-Residents Need One?

An Employer Identification Number is a 9-digit number (formatted XX-XXXXXXX) that the IRS assigns to businesses for tax reporting. The IRS issues approximately 5 million EINs per year. Every US LLC, corporation, and partnership needs one. Banks require an EIN to open a business account. Payment processors like Stripe, PayPal, and Square require an EIN for merchant verification. Amazon requires an EIN for third-party seller registration.

For non-US residents, the EIN is the first step in establishing a US business presence. Without an EIN, you cannot file business tax returns (Form 1065 for partnerships, Form 1120 for corporations), hire US employees, or comply with IRS withholding requirements. The IRS created the EIN system in 1974 under IRC Section 6109. Learn more about the difference between ITIN and EIN to understand which one you need.

EIN Format and Structure

An EIN follows the format XX-XXXXXXX. The first two digits indicate the IRS campus that issued the number. Numbers starting with 20, 26, 27, 45, 46, and 47 are assigned to online applications. Numbers starting with 98 or 99 are reserved for entities formed outside the US. Your EIN is permanent and does not expire, unlike ITINs which expire after 3 consecutive years of non-use.

IRS Authority: IRC Section 6109

The IRS assigns EINs under Internal Revenue Code Section 6109, which requires every person or entity that files a tax return to have a taxpayer identification number. IRS Publication 1635 covers EIN guidelines. The IRS maintains the Business Master File (BMF) database containing all active EINs. You can verify an EIN through the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool for nonprofits, or by requesting a 147C letter for business verification.

Who Needs an EIN in 2026?

8 categories of non-residents require an EIN from the IRS. If you fall into any category below, you must obtain an EIN before conducting business in the United States.

LLC Owners

Every US LLC needs an EIN, regardless of where the owner lives. Wyoming, Delaware, New Mexico, and Florida are the top 4 states for non-resident LLCs. An EIN is required to open a bank account and file Form 5472 (annual information return for foreign-owned LLCs). Read our guide on ITIN and EIN for LLC owners.

Amazon and E-Commerce Sellers

Amazon requires an EIN for third-party seller registration. Over 60% of Amazon sellers operate through LLCs. Etsy, Shopify, and eBay also require EINs for US-based business entities. Payment processors issue 1099-K forms using your EIN. See our Amazon seller ITIN guide.

Real Estate Investors

Non-resident real estate investors holding properties through US LLCs need an EIN for the entity. FIRPTA withholding (15% of gross sales price) applies to foreign sellers. Rental income reporting on Form 1040-NR requires an ITIN, while the LLC files with its EIN. See our real estate investor guide.

Freelancers and Contractors

Non-resident freelancers working with US clients through an LLC need an EIN. US clients require a W-8BEN-E form listing your EIN for payments over $600. This allows proper 1042-S reporting. Check our freelancer ITIN guide.

Stripe and PayPal Users

Stripe requires an EIN for US business accounts. PayPal Business accounts need an EIN for tax reporting. Both platforms issue 1099-K forms when gross payments exceed $600 annually. See our PayPal and Stripe setup guide.

Content Creators

YouTube, TikTok, and other platforms withhold 30% of US-sourced income from foreign creators without a tax ID. An EIN on your LLC allows you to claim treaty benefits and reduce or eliminate withholding. Learn about what you can do with an ITIN.

Employers

Any entity hiring US employees must have an EIN. The EIN goes on W-2 forms, quarterly payroll tax returns (Form 941), and annual unemployment tax returns (Form 940). This applies even if the business owner lives outside the US.

Nonprofit Organizations

US nonprofits formed by non-residents need an EIN to apply for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. The EIN is required on Form 1023 or 1023-EZ. Donors need the organization's EIN for tax deduction records.

How Does an EIN Compare to an ITIN?

12 key differences separate EINs from ITINs. This comparison covers format, purpose, cost, and application process for both tax identification numbers.

Feature	EIN	ITIN
Purpose	Business tax ID	Personal tax ID
Format	XX-XXXXXXX (9 digits)	9XX-XX-XXXX (9 digits)
IRS Form	Form SS-4	Form W-7
IRS Fee	$0	$0
Processing Time	Immediate (online) or 4-5 weeks (fax)	6-11 weeks
Expires?	Never	After 3 years of non-use
SSN Required?	No (fax/mail method)	No
Tax Return	1065, 1120, 5472	1040-NR
Bank Account	Business accounts	Personal accounts
Online Application	Yes (with SSN/ITIN only)	No
Our Service Fee	$97	$297
Countries Served	150+ countries	150+ countries

Source: IRS Publication 1635 (EIN guidelines), IRS Instructions for Form W-7 (ITIN guidelines). Updated May 2026.

What Are the 3 Ways to Apply for an EIN?

The IRS offers 3 methods to apply for an EIN: online, fax, and mail. Non-residents without an SSN or ITIN can only use fax or mail.

Method 1: IRS Online EIN Assistant

Available at IRS.gov, Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 10 PM Eastern Time. Requires an SSN or ITIN. Issues the EIN immediately upon completion. The application takes approximately 15 minutes. This method is not available to non-residents who lack an SSN or ITIN.

Processing time: Immediate

Method 2: Fax (Form SS-4)

Fax completed Form SS-4 to the IRS at 855-641-6935 (domestic) or 304-707-9471 (international). No SSN or ITIN required. The IRS faxes back a confirmation with your EIN. This is the primary method for non-residents without US tax IDs. Our service uses this method.

Processing time: 4-5 weeks

Method 3: Mail (Form SS-4)

Mail completed Form SS-4 to: Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN International Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999. No SSN or ITIN required. The IRS mails back a CP 575 notice with your EIN. Slowest method but works from any country.

Processing time: 4-6 weeks

How Much Does Our EIN Service Cost?

$97

Flat fee, no extras

3-5

Business days preparation

$0

IRS government fee

What Is Included in the $97 Fee?

Our $97 EIN service includes complete Form SS-4 preparation, information verification, IRS fax submission, and delivery of your EIN confirmation by email. We handle the entire process so you never need to call or fax the IRS. The IRS fax line is difficult to reach, and errors on the SS-4 require starting over.

We serve clients from 150+ countries in English and Spanish. Contact us via WhatsApp at +880 1750 278508 for questions before you apply. Most clients who need an EIN also need an ITIN application for personal tax filing.

How Does Our Pricing Compare?

Provider	EIN Service Fee	Prep Time	Non-Resident Support
itin.so	$97	3-5 business days	Yes, 150+ countries
IRS Direct (online)	$0	Immediate	Requires SSN/ITIN
IRS Direct (fax/mail)	$0	Self-prepared	No support provided
Typical CPA/Attorney	$200-$500	1-2 weeks	Varies

Source: IRS.gov (Form SS-4 Instructions), market research of EIN service providers. Updated May 2026.

What Are the Steps to Get an EIN Through Our Service?

1

Provide Your Business Details (10 minutes)

After payment, you receive a form to fill in your LLC details: business name, state of formation, member information, business activity, and responsible party details. This information maps directly to the 18 lines on Form SS-4.

2

We Prepare and Submit Form SS-4 (3-5 business days)

Our team completes Form SS-4 using your information, reviews for common errors (wrong entity type, missing foreign address format, incorrect fiscal year), and faxes it to the IRS at 855-641-6935. We confirm submission by email.

3

Receive Your EIN (4-5 weeks after submission)

The IRS processes your application and faxes back your EIN assignment (CP 575 notice). We forward your EIN confirmation to you by email. You can then use your EIN to open bank accounts, register with payment processors, and file taxes.

Do You Need Both an EIN and an ITIN?

Most non-resident LLC owners need both. Your EIN identifies your business on Forms 1065, 1120, and 5472. Your ITIN identifies you personally on Form 1040-NR. If you own a single-member LLC, the IRS treats it as a disregarded entity under Treasury Regulation 301.7701-3, which means the LLC's income flows through to your personal tax return. Filing that return requires an ITIN.

Recommended Application Order

Apply for your EIN first because it processes faster (4-5 weeks vs. 6-11 weeks for ITIN). Once you have your EIN, you can open a business bank account at Mercury, Relay, or Wise while your ITIN application processes. Our pricing: EIN ($97) + ITIN ($297) = $394 total.

Tax Filing Requirements for Non-Resident LLC Owners

Foreign-owned single-member LLCs must file Form 5472 and a pro-forma Form 1120 annually, even with zero US income. The penalty for not filing Form 5472 is $25,000 per return. Multi-member LLCs with foreign partners must file Form 1065. These returns require your EIN. Your personal tax return (Form 1040-NR) requires your ITIN. Learn about all ITIN requirements before applying.

Watch: How Do Non-US Residents Apply for an EIN?

What IRS Resources Cover EIN Applications?

The IRS publishes 4 primary resources for EIN applicants. All are available free at IRS.gov.

Form SS-4 - Application for Employer Identification Number (1 page)
Form SS-4 Instructions - Line-by-line instructions for completing the SS-4 (8 pages)
IRS Publication 1635 - Understanding Your EIN (16 pages, covers assignment, changes, and cancellation)
IRS Publication 583 - Starting a Business and Keeping Records (covers EIN in the context of new business setup)

For questions about your EIN application, the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line is 1-800-829-4933, available Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM local time. International callers can reach 267-941-1099 (not toll-free). Learn about how to get an ITIN if you also need a personal tax ID.

Ready to Get Your EIN?

$97 flat fee. 3-5 business day preparation. No SSN required. Also need an ITIN? Apply for an ITIN with our $297 service. Questions? Reach us on WhatsApp at +880 1750 278508.

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EIN for Non-Residents: Frequently Asked Questions

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a 9-digit tax ID the IRS assigns to businesses. You need an EIN if you own a US LLC, hire employees, open a US business bank account, or file excise tax returns. The IRS issues approximately 5 million EINs per year. Non-residents who operate US businesses need an EIN even without a Social Security Number. The IRS charges $0 for EIN applications via Form SS-4.

EIN for Non-Residents in 2026: How to Get Your Employer Identification Number