EIN without SSN

What an EIN actually is

The EIN — Employer Identification Number — is a nine-digit federal tax ID issued by the IRS to business entities. It's the business equivalent of an SSN: every US bank, payment processor (Stripe, PayPal, Square business accounts), and government form asks for it. Format: XX-XXXXXXX.

You need an EIN to open a US business bank account, hire US employees, file federal taxes, register for state sales tax in most states, and apply for business credit. For a non-US founder forming a US LLC, the EIN is the single document the bank cares about most — without it, no account opens.

Why the IRS online tool blocks non-US founders

The IRS online EIN portal at irs.gov (apply online) is the fastest route for US founders — it issues an EIN in about 10 minutes. It also requires the "responsible party" to enter a valid SSN or ITIN. If you don't have either, the portal returns an error before you can even reach the LLC details.

This isn't a bug — it's a deliberate ID verification step. The IRS will absolutely issue you an EIN without an SSN, just not through the online tool. The fax route exists precisely for non-US responsible parties.

Your three options without an SSN

Fax is the default for almost every non-US founder. The phone line is fast but only works during US business hours (6am–11pm ET, Mon–Fri) and requires fluent English. Mail is reliable but glacial.

What you need before you apply

• A legally formed US LLC. The state must have approved your Articles of Organization. The LLC's exact legal name and registered agent address must match the state record.
• The responsible party's full legal name and address. For a single-member non-US LLC, this is you. Use your name exactly as it appears on your passport.
• A US registered agent address. Goes on line 4 (mailing address) so the IRS can mail the CP 575 letter to a US destination.
• A return fax number. Critical — without one, the IRS literally has no way to send the EIN back to you. Online fax services like RingCentral, eFax, and HelloFax issue international fax numbers for a few dollars.
• The reason for applying. Almost always "Started new business" (line 10).

Form SS-4, line by line

Download Form SS-4 from the IRS. Here's how to fill it for a non-US-owned single-member LLC:

• Line 1 — Legal name of entity: The exact LLC name on the state-stamped Articles of Organization, including "LLC".
• Line 2 — Trade name (DBA): Only if you filed a DBA. Otherwise leave blank.
• Line 3 — Executor / care of: Leave blank unless someone else handles IRS mail.
• Lines 4a/4b — Mailing address: Your US registered agent's address.
• Lines 5a/5b — Street address: Same as line 4 if no separate physical US address.
• Line 6 — County and state: The county and state of your LLC formation.
• Line 7a — Responsible party name: Your full legal name (the owner).
• Line 7b — SSN/ITIN/EIN: Write "Foreign". This is the single most important line on the form. Not "N/A", not blank — literally the word "Foreign".
• Line 8a — Is this a Limited Liability Company?: Yes.
• Line 8b — Number of LLC members: 1 for single-member, the actual count for multi-member.
• Line 8c — Organized in the United States: Yes.
• Line 9a — Type of entity: Check "Other" and write "Foreign-owned U.S. Disregarded Entity" for single-member, or "Partnership" for multi-member.
• Line 10 — Reason for applying: Check "Started new business" and write "LLC" or your industry.
• Line 11 — Date business started: The LLC formation date from the state Articles.
• Line 12 — Closing month of accounting year: December for most.
• Lines 13–17: Number of employees (0 if you don't plan to hire), highest expected wages (blank/0), principal activity, principal goods or services.
• Third-party designee: If using a service like ClearFormation to file on your behalf, fill in their details here.
• Signature: Sign and date as the responsible party. Print your name and title (e.g., "Member" or "Manager").

Faxing SS-4 to the IRS

1. Set up an online fax service that gives you both send and receive capability internationally (RingCentral Fax, eFax, HelloFax all work).
2. Send the signed SS-4 to the IRS International EIN Operation: +1 (304) 707-9471 if you are faxing from outside the US, or +1 (855) 215-1627 if you are faxing from within the US. Include a one-page cover sheet stating: sender name, return fax number, and "EIN application for [LLC name]".
3. Keep the fax confirmation page — it's your proof of submission date.
4. Monitor the return fax number daily. The IRS sends the EIN back as the CP 575 letter within 4 business days (longer December–April).
5. If you don't hear back in 10 business days, re-fax with a note "Re-submission — first sent [date]". Don't call — the international IRS phone line is for new applications, not status checks.

Realistic timelines

Fax turnaround varies dramatically by time of year:

• May–November: 4 business days is typical.
• December: 1–2 weeks (IRS year-end backlog).
• January–April: 2–4 weeks (tax season).

If you need the EIN urgently (e.g., a bank account opening or payment processor onboarding has a deadline), use the international phone line at +1 267-941-1099. Mon–Fri, 6am–11pm ET. The agent walks through SS-4 with you over the phone and reads the EIN out at the end of the call.

After the EIN issues

You'll receive the IRS CP 575 confirmation letter by fax (or mail if you applied by mail). This is the document banks and payment processors will ask for. Save it permanently — the IRS does not reissue CP 575. If you lose it later, the only replacement is a 147C letter, which some banks accept and some don't.

Your immediate next steps with the EIN:

1. Open a US business bank account (Mercury, Relay, Wise Business). See our bank account guide.
2. If your entity is a foreign reporting company, file the FinCEN BOI report within 30 days. Domestic US LLCs are exempt after the March 2025 rule.
3. Register for state sales tax if you'll sell physical goods to US customers.
4. Set up Stripe / PayPal / Square business accounts using the EIN.

Common rejection reasons (and how to avoid them)

• Line 7b left blank or marked 'N/A'

  The IRS interprets a blank line 7b as an incomplete form. You must write the word 'Foreign' explicitly — this is the trigger that tells the processor to skip the SSN/ITIN validation step.

• Responsible party listed as another entity

  Some founders write their parent company or holding LLC on line 7a. The IRS requires a natural person — always a human being, never an entity.

• LLC name doesn't match the state record

  Even a missing comma or different capitalization triggers rejection. Copy the LLC name from your state-stamped Articles of Organization exactly, including the 'LLC' designator.

• Missing registered agent address

  The IRS needs a US mailing address for the CP 575 letter. Use your registered agent's address on lines 4a/4b, not a foreign address.

• No return fax number on cover sheet

  The processor has no way to fax the EIN back. The most common reason a 'silent' fax never gets a reply.

• Applying before the state approves the LLC

  The IRS verifies the LLC's existence against state records (sometimes). Always wait for the state Articles of Organization to be stamped before sending SS-4.

• Applying for a second EIN by mistake

  If a co-founder or service already filed for you, applying again creates duplicate records that take months to untangle. Confirm whether anyone has filed before you send SS-4.

Lost your EIN or CP 575 letter?

Two routes to recover it:

1. Find it on a prior tax return or bank statement. Any past Form 1120, 1065, or 5472 has the EIN at the top. So does every business bank statement.
2. Request a 147C letter. Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax line at +1 (800) 829-4933 (US) or +1 (267) 941-1099 (international). They'll fax or mail a 147C confirmation of your existing EIN. This is the official replacement when CP 575 is lost.