How to Get an EIN Without an SSN (Non-Resident Guide)

Non-residents without a Social Security Number can get a US Employer Identification Number (EIN) through three methods: faxing Form SS-4 to the IRS (4 business days to 4 weeks), calling the IRS international line at (267) 941-1099 (same-day issuance), or using a formation service like Doola, Firstbase, or Stripe Atlas that files Form SS-4 on your behalf (1-6 weeks depending on IRS backlog). The EIN is free — the IRS charges nothing for it. Formation services that list "EIN obtainment" as a line item are charging for the labor of filing the form, not for the number itself. The online IRS EIN application is not available to applicants without an SSN or ITIN.

I have held EINs for my US entities since 2007 and have filed Form SS-4 both directly and through formation services. The process is straightforward once you understand why the online option is blocked and which alternative method fits your timeline.

Why non-residents cannot use the online EIN application

The IRS online EIN application requires the responsible party to enter a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) on the application form. There is no option to enter a foreign passport number or select "none" for this field. The IRS processes approximately 6 million EIN applications annually (IRS Data Book).

This blocks two categories of applicants:

1. Non-residents who have never had an SSN or ITIN. First-time founders forming a US LLC from abroad with no prior US tax history.
2. Non-residents who have an ITIN application pending. The ITIN takes 7-11 weeks to process. Waiting for it before applying for the EIN delays bank account opening and payment processor setup by months.

The IRS explicitly states in the Instructions for Form SS-4: "If you do not have a legal residence, principal place of business, or principal office or agency in any state or US territory, you cannot use the online application." This is documented in the current revision of Form SS-4 instructions on IRS.gov.

The workaround is Form SS-4 submitted by fax, phone, or mail. All three methods accept a foreign passport number in place of an SSN or ITIN. On line 7b of Form SS-4, enter "FOREIGN" or "N/A" where it asks for the responsible party's SSN or ITIN.

Method 1: Form SS-4 by fax

Faxing Form SS-4 is the default method for non-residents who want a paper trail without waiting on hold.

Step-by-step process:

1. Download Form SS-4 from the IRS website. Use the December 2025 revision (the most current version).

2. Complete the form. Key fields for non-residents:

   • Line 1: Legal name of the LLC (exactly as it appears on the articles of organization)
   • Line 3: Executor/administrator/trustee name — leave blank for LLCs
   • Line 4a-b: Mailing address (your foreign address is acceptable)
   • Line 7a: Name of the responsible party (the LLC member/owner)
   • Line 7b: SSN/ITIN of the responsible party — enter "FOREIGN" if you have neither
   • Line 8a: Type of entity — check "LLC" and enter the number of members
   • Line 9a: State where the LLC is organized
   • Line 10: Reason for applying — check "Started new business"
   • Line 16: Check the box indicating a foreign country if the responsible party's address is outside the US

3. Fax the completed form to the IRS at (855) 215-1627. This is the fax number for applicants with a principal place of business outside the United States. The domestic fax number (855) 641-6935 is for applicants with a US address.

4. Wait for the response. Under the IRS Fax-TIN program, the EIN is returned by fax within 4 business days of receipt. In practice, processing can take up to 4 weeks during peak filing periods (January-April).

What to include in the fax:

• Completed Form SS-4
• A cover sheet with your return fax number or callback number
• No additional documentation is required (no passport copies, no articles of organization)

What you will receive: The IRS faxes back a confirmation letter (CP 575) containing your EIN. Keep this document — banks and payment processors accept it as proof of your EIN assignment.

Method 2: Form SS-4 by phone

The phone method is the fastest way to get an EIN. The number is issued during the call itself.

IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line (International):

• Number: (267) 941-1099
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time
• Note: This is not a toll-free number. International calling rates apply.

Only international applicants can use this line for EIN applications. If you are calling from within the United States, the IRS directs you to use the online application or fax method instead.

What to prepare before calling:

What happens on the call:

1. An IRS agent walks through the Form SS-4 questions verbally.
2. You provide the information from the table above.
3. The agent issues the EIN during the call and provides it verbally.
4. A confirmation letter (CP 575) is mailed to the address on file within 4-6 weeks.

Wait times vary from 15 minutes to over an hour. Calling early in the morning (6:00-8:00 AM Eastern) or later in the evening tends to have shorter hold times. Avoid calling during the January-April tax filing season if possible.

The person calling must be authorized to receive the EIN and answer the questions on Form SS-4. If you are the sole member of the LLC, you are the authorized person. If a third party is calling on your behalf (such as a formation service or attorney), they need authorization.

Method 3: Through a formation service

Formation services file Form SS-4 on the founder's behalf as part of their formation package. The EIN is included in the base price — there is no separate charge from the IRS.

How each service handles EIN filing:

What the formation service does:

1. Files your LLC articles of organization with the state
2. Completes Form SS-4 using the LLC's information
3. Submits Form SS-4 to the IRS by fax or through their established IRS filing channels
4. Provides you with the EIN once it is assigned

Advantages of the formation service path:

• No need to navigate Form SS-4 yourself
• No fax machine or international phone call required
• EIN filing is bundled with LLC formation, registered agent, and operating agreement
• The formation service handles any IRS follow-up or correction requests

The trade-off is timeline control. When you fax or call the IRS yourself, you know exactly when the application was submitted and can follow up directly. With a formation service, the EIN timeline depends on both the service's internal processing and the IRS response time. During IRS backlogs, formation service timelines extend because they are processing hundreds or thousands of applications through the same channel.

The Stripe Atlas vs Firstbase vs Doola pricing comparison maps the full cost breakdown over three years, including what happens after formation.

What you need before applying

The EIN application requires the LLC to already exist. The IRS assigns the EIN to a specific legal entity — the LLC — and that entity is identified by its state filing information.

Before filing Form SS-4, you need:

The sequence matters: Form the LLC first, get the EIN second. You cannot apply for an EIN for an entity that does not yet legally exist. Formation services handle this sequence automatically — they file articles of organization, wait for state approval, then submit Form SS-4.

Common mistakes that delay EIN applications

Mistake 1: Applying before the LLC is formed. The IRS rejects Form SS-4 applications for entities that do not have a state filing. The LLC articles of organization are processed by the state (not the IRS), and this step comes first. If you fax Form SS-4 the same day you submit articles of organization, the LLC may not yet exist in the state's records when the IRS processes the form.

Mistake 2: Name mismatch between Form SS-4 and articles of organization. If the LLC name on Form SS-4 does not match the state filing exactly — a missing comma, "LLC" vs "L.L.C.", or a typo — the IRS may reject the application or assign the EIN to a differently-named entity. This creates complications when opening bank accounts, because the bank cross-references the EIN confirmation letter against the articles of organization.

Mistake 3: Selecting the wrong entity type on Form SS-4. Line 8a asks for the type of entity. A single-member LLC owned by a non-resident is a "limited liability company" that is treated as a disregarded entity for tax purposes. Selecting "sole proprietor" or "corporation" changes the tax classification and creates IRS filing complications that require a separate correction.

Mistake 4: Using the domestic fax number for international applications. Non-residents with a foreign address fax Form SS-4 to (855) 215-1627, not the domestic number (855) 641-6935. Using the wrong fax number may result in delayed processing or the form being routed to the wrong IRS department.

Mistake 5: Not keeping the CP 575 confirmation letter. The CP 575 is the official IRS letter confirming your EIN assignment. Banks, payment processors, and state agencies accept this document as proof. The IRS does not reissue CP 575 letters — if you lose it, you need to request a separate EIN verification letter (147C), which takes additional processing time.

EIN vs ITIN — do you need both?

The EIN identifies the LLC. The ITIN identifies you as an individual foreign taxpayer. They are different numbers used on different forms for different purposes.

Every US LLC needs an EIN. No exceptions. The EIN is required under IRC Section 6109 for tax filing purposes. The EIN goes on Form 5472, the LLC's bank accounts, payment processor applications, and W-9 forms.

Not every non-resident LLC owner needs an ITIN. The ITIN is needed only when you have US tax filing obligations at the individual level — such as US-source income reported on Form 1040-NR, or a need to claim tax treaty benefits on Form W-8BEN. Many non-resident LLC owners operate for years with only an EIN, adding an ITIN later when individual-level tax obligations arise.

The practical sequence for non-resident LLC founders:

1. Form the LLC (state filing)
2. Get the EIN (Form SS-4 — the subject of this article)
3. Open a bank account using the EIN
4. Determine if you need an ITIN (depends on your individual tax situation)
5. Apply for an ITIN if needed (Form W-7, filed with a federal tax return)

The EIN vs ITIN deep dive maps the full comparison — when each number is used, which IRS forms require which number, and the common mistakes that result from confusing them.

After you get your EIN

The EIN unlocks the next steps in your LLC's operational setup. Once you have the EIN confirmation (either verbally from the phone call or via the CP 575 fax/letter), you can proceed with:

Open a US business bank account. The bank account is opened in the LLC's name using the EIN. Mercury opens accounts during the Stripe Atlas formation process. Wise Business accepts non-resident LLC applications with an EIN and passport verification. Both require the LLC's articles of organization, EIN confirmation, and the operating agreement. The banking comparison maps the full requirements for non-resident account opening.

Set up payment processing. Stripe, PayPal, and other payment processors require the EIN during onboarding. The EIN appears on the W-9 form that clients may request before making payments to your LLC.

Note your Form 5472 filing obligation. Every foreign-owned single-member LLC is required to file Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 annually under IRC Section 6038A. This filing uses the EIN. The deadline is April 15 (or the 15th day of the 4th month after the LLC's tax year ends), with a 6-month extension available by filing Form 7004. The penalty for failure to file is $25,000 per form per year. The Form 5472 guide maps the full filing requirement and consequences.

Keep your EIN records organized. Store the CP 575 confirmation letter, the completed Form SS-4 (your copy), and any IRS correspondence in a dedicated folder. You will need the EIN for every tax filing, every bank interaction, and every compliance document for the life of the LLC.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get an EIN without an SSN?

By phone: same-day. The IRS issues the EIN during the call to (267) 941-1099. By fax: 4 business days under the IRS Fax-TIN program, though processing can extend to 4 weeks during peak filing periods (January-April). By mail: approximately 4 weeks. Through a formation service: 1-6 weeks depending on the service's internal processing time and IRS backlog.

Is there a fee for getting an EIN from the IRS?

No. The IRS does not charge for EIN assignment. The application — whether submitted online, by fax, by phone, or by mail — is free. Formation services that list "EIN obtainment" as a line item are charging for the labor of completing and submitting Form SS-4, not for the number itself.

Can I get an EIN before forming my LLC?

No. The EIN is assigned to a legal entity. The LLC is created by filing articles of organization with a state. Until the state approves the filing, the entity does not exist, and the IRS cannot assign it an EIN. Formation services handle this sequence automatically — they file state paperwork first, then submit Form SS-4 after the LLC is approved.

What if I already have an ITIN — can I apply for the EIN online?

Yes. If you have an ITIN (format: 9XX-XX-XXXX), you can use the IRS online EIN application and enter the ITIN where it asks for the responsible party's taxpayer identification number. The online application issues the EIN immediately upon completion. This is the fastest method if you already have an ITIN.

What address do I use on Form SS-4 if I live outside the US?

Use your foreign residential address. The IRS accepts foreign addresses for the responsible party on Form SS-4. The LLC itself may have a US address (often the registered agent's address) for line 4a-b, but the responsible party's address on line 7a can be a foreign address. The IRS mails the CP 575 confirmation letter to the address provided on the form.

Key Takeaways

• Non-residents without an SSN or ITIN cannot use the IRS online EIN application. The three alternatives are fax, phone, or through a formation service.
• The fastest method is calling (267) 941-1099 — the EIN is issued during the call. Available Monday-Friday, 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time.
• Faxing Form SS-4 to (855) 215-1627 (international applicants) takes 4 business days to 4 weeks depending on IRS processing volume.
• Doola ($297), Firstbase ($399), and Stripe Atlas ($500) all include EIN filing in their formation package. The EIN itself is free — the IRS charges nothing.
• The LLC formation must be complete before applying for the EIN. The entity needs to exist in a state's records before the IRS will assign it a number.
• On Form SS-4 line 7b, enter "FOREIGN" where it asks for the responsible party's SSN or ITIN. On line 8a, select "limited liability company" — not "sole proprietor" or "corporation."
• After receiving the EIN, the immediate next steps are opening a bank account and noting the annual Form 5472 filing obligation ($25,000 penalty for non-filing).

Related Reading

• EIN vs ITIN: What Non-Resident Founders Need
• Stripe Atlas vs Firstbase vs Doola: Pricing Comparison 2026
• Mercury vs Wise vs Relay: Best Banking 2026
• How to Form a US LLC as a Non-Resident (2026)
• What Happens If You Miss Form 5472?
• Cross-Border Compliance Checklist 2026

References

• IRS: Apply for an EIN — Online EIN application (requires SSN/ITIN)
• IRS: Form SS-4 — Application for Employer Identification Number
• IRS: Instructions for Form SS-4 (December 2025) — Current filing instructions, fax numbers, mailing addresses
• IRS: Employer Identification Number — EIN overview and application methods
• IRS: Form 5472 — Information Return for foreign-owned US entities
• IRS: Lost or Misplaced EIN — How to request a 147C verification letter
• IRS: Form 7004 — Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File
• IRS Data Book — Annual IRS processing statistics including EIN applications
• Stripe Atlas — Delaware formation with EIN ($500)
• Firstbase — Wyoming/Delaware formation with EIN ($399)
• Doola — Formation for global founders with EIN ($297)
• Mercury — US business banking for startups
• Wise Business — Multi-currency business account

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