How to Get an EIN Without an SSN: A Guide for Non-US Owners

Every US company needs an EIN, the Employer Identification Number the IRS uses to identify it. You need it to open a bank account, file taxes and set up payments. The usual advice assumes you have a Social Security Number. If you live outside the US you do not, and the process is slightly different. This guide covers the steps as they stand today, so check irs.gov for the current form and procedure before you apply.

What an EIN is, and what it is not

An EIN is a nine-digit tax number for the company. It is free to obtain from the IRS. It is not a work permit, and it does not make you a US tax resident. For where it fits in the order of things, see our guide to registering an LLC in the USA online.

Before you apply

• The LLC must already exist. Wait for the state to approve it.
• Have the exact legal name and address from the state record.
• Know the "responsible party", usually the owner.
• Have your passport details ready.

How owners without an SSN usually apply

The IRS online application asks for an SSN or ITIN for the responsible party, so most non-resident owners apply with Form SS-4 instead. On the form you write "Foreign" or "N/A" where it asks for an SSN, ITIN or EIN of the responsible party. You then send it to the IRS by fax or mail, and in some cases by phone. According to the IRS, a faxed form is typically answered within a few business days, while a mailed form takes several weeks. Check irs.gov for the current fax number and times.

Where applications go wrong

• The name does not match. One missing "LLC" can mean a rejection, and a bank may question it later.
• The address is unclear. Use the address the state has on file.
• The wrong responsible party. It must be a real person who controls the company.
• Applying before the state approves. The IRS cannot match a company that does not exist yet.

Keep the confirmation letter

The IRS sends a letter (CP 575) with the number. Keep it safe, because banks and payment providers ask for it. Our EIN service files the application for you, and you can see how long each stage takes in how long it takes to register an LLC in the USA.

What comes next

1. Open a US business bank account: see our page on US business bank accounts.
2. Write the operating agreement: operating agreement for a single-member LLC.
3. Set up payments: Stripe for a non-resident US LLC.
4. Put the yearly filing in your calendar: Form 5472 guide.

This is general information, not tax advice.

Related guides

• Registered agent for a US LLC
• LLC registration in the USA from India