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EIN vs ITIN confuses almost every first-time founder. They are two different tax numbers for two different jobs, and many non-residents only need one of them.
An EIN identifies a business for US tax purposes, and the IRS issues it free. An ITIN identifies an individual who must file a US tax return but cannot get an SSN. An EIN is not an ITIN. A non-resident LLC owner usually needs an EIN first, and an ITIN only if a filing requires it.
Verified figures only — sources are listed at the foot of this page.
A business, such as your LLC
An individual with US tax filing needs
Free
Form W-7
Form SS-4 by fax, mail or phone
October 2026
An Employer Identification Number, or EIN, belongs to an entity. Your LLC gets one the way a person gets a national ID card. An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or ITIN, belongs to a person. It exists for people who must file US taxes but are not eligible for a Social Security Number.
The numbers look similar, but they are not interchangeable. You cannot use your LLC’s EIN as your personal ITIN, and you cannot use an ITIN as your company’s EIN. Each serves a different filing.
Use this quick comparison to see which one matches your situation.
An EIN is for the LLC, used for banking, payment platforms, tax forms and hiring. An ITIN is for the owner personally, used mainly on a personal US tax return.
For an EIN, a non-resident without an SSN or ITIN cannot use the online tool. You complete Form SS-4 and send it by fax or mail, or call the IRS international line at +1 267-941-1099. For an ITIN, you complete Form W-7 and it is generally attached to a federal tax return unless an exception applies.
The EIN application asks for details about the company and its responsible party. The ITIN application requires documents that prove your identity and foreign status. A passport is the standard standalone document.
The IRS issues EINs free of charge. ITIN processing and EIN processing times both vary, so avoid planning around a fixed date.
Almost always, yes. Banks, Stripe, Wise, Payoneer and marketplaces ask for your LLC’s EIN. Some US-source payers also ask for it on tax forms. Without one, your company cannot do much beyond existing on paper.
You apply after the LLC is formed, because the application uses the LLC’s legal name and formation details. Our guide on getting an EIN without an SSN walks through the paper process.
Not always. This surprises people. If your single-member LLC has no US-connected income and no personal US return to file, you may not need an ITIN at all. The ITIN is tied to filing, not to owning a company.
You may need one if you have US-source income that triggers a personal return, if you claim treaty benefits that require it, or if a particular filing asks for it. Rules here are technical and change, so confirm with a qualified US tax adviser before spending time on a W-7.
Get the EIN first. It opens the door to the practical side of running a company, such as bank and payment setup. Then work out, with an adviser, whether your income or filings require an ITIN.
A simple rule helps. If a form asks for a business tax ID, it wants an EIN. If it asks for a personal taxpayer ID for you, as a person, it may want an ITIN or SSN. Read the form instructions rather than guessing.
Founders sometimes put their EIN on a personal form or assume an ITIN lets them skip the EIN. Others pay a third party to apply for an EIN when the IRS issues it free. Paying for help with paperwork is a choice, but the number itself costs nothing from the IRS.
Another mix-up is expecting the ITIN to give you work rights or a bank account. It does neither. It is simply a tax processing number.
FenFile provides EIN support in every plan and ITIN application support as an optional add-on. We are a business-services company and not a tax adviser, so please confirm your filing needs with a qualified professional.
Keep these ready and our team will guide you through the rest.
From first message to done — with updates at every stage.
The EIN application needs the LLC’s legal name and formation details.
Send Form SS-4 by fax or mail, or call the IRS international line.
Ask a tax adviser whether you have a US return that requires an ITIN.
Submit Form W-7 with your identity documents, usually with a tax return.
Pick a plan, pay once, and let our team handle the rest.
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No. An EIN identifies a business, while an ITIN identifies an individual who needs to file US taxes but cannot get an SSN. They are issued on different forms and used for different filings.
Yes. A non-resident without an SSN or ITIN can get an EIN by sending Form SS-4 by fax or mail, or by phone through the IRS international line. The online application is not available without an SSN or ITIN.
Usually not. Providers normally ask for the LLC’s EIN, formation documents and your passport. Requirements differ by provider and change over time, so check the current list before applying.
Not usually. The LLC needs an EIN. You personally need an ITIN only if you have a US filing requirement and no SSN. Many non-residents never need one, so confirm with a tax adviser.
Both vary. EIN timing depends on the method you use, and ITIN timing depends on IRS processing and whether your documents are accepted. Avoid relying on a fixed timeline when planning a launch.
Yes. The IRS issues EINs at no charge. Some companies charge a service fee to prepare and submit the application, but the government itself does not.
An EIN for non-residents is free from the IRS, but the online form is closed to …
An ITIN for non-residents is a tax ID for individuals, and many LLC owners never…
You can learn how to get an EIN without an SSN in about ten minutes of reading. …
Written by the FenFile team · Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice.
Sources: IRS: About Form SS-4 · IRS: About Form W-7
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