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You can learn how to get an EIN without an SSN in about ten minutes of reading. The IRS offers a paper and phone route for founders who cannot use the online form.
Complete IRS Form SS-4 and submit it by fax or mail, or call the IRS international line at +1 267-941-1099. The online EIN application requires an SSN or ITIN, so non-residents without either use the paper or phone route. The EIN is free from the IRS and processing times vary.
Verified figures only — sources are listed at the foot of this page.
Free
Form SS-4
Needs an SSN or ITIN
IRS international line, +1 267-941-1099
Varies by method and IRS workload
October 2026
An EIN is the nine-digit tax number the IRS gives to businesses. Your US LLC needs one for banking, payment platforms and tax filings. The IRS online tool asks for a responsible party with an SSN or ITIN, so it does not work for most non-residents.
The alternative is Form SS-4. You fill it out, then send it to the IRS by fax or mail, or you give the answers over the phone. All three routes lead to the same number.
The application uses your LLC’s exact legal name, formation state and start date, so the LLC must exist before you apply. Use the name exactly as it appears on your state certificate, including the ending such as LLC.
If your name on the form differs from the state record, the IRS may reject or delay the application. This is the most common avoidable mistake.
Form SS-4 is two pages of questions. Most fields are simple, but a few trip people up. Take your time with these.
Treat the form as a legal statement. Do not guess an answer you do not understand. Check the IRS instructions for each line.
Fax is often the quickest of the paper methods, because it avoids international postal delay. The IRS publishes a fax number for international applicants on its SS-4 instructions, and you should copy it from the official page, not from a third-party site, because numbers can change.
Mail is slower and depends on the postal system. Phone allows you to speak with an IRS agent, who takes your answers and issues the number during the call. The IRS international line is +1 267-941-1099, and the hours are published by the IRS.
For the phone route, a person authorized to be your third-party designee may be able to call for you. Ask the IRS or your adviser what applies. We cannot promise any speed, since processing times vary.
You receive an EIN confirmation, often called a CP 575 notice or an equivalent letter. Save it as a PDF and keep a printed copy. Banks and platforms will ask for it, and replacing it later can take time.
Then add the EIN to your records, open business accounts and note your future filing duties. A foreign-owned single-member LLC may also have Form 5472 duties, so read our guide on that form.
Mismatched names are the top cause of trouble. Others include selecting the wrong entity type, leaving the responsible party blank, and sending an unreadable fax. Another is paying a stranger who charges for a free number. Paid help is a valid choice, but the number itself costs nothing from the IRS.
Be careful with websites that look official. Use irs.gov and verify the page before entering personal details. If your application stalls, calling the IRS line is usually the best next step.
FenFile includes EIN support in every plan and does not act as your tax adviser. If your case has unusual features, such as multiple owners, speak to 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.
Have the formation certificate in hand before applying.
Match the LLC name exactly and mark the right entity type.
Use the IRS international line at +1 267-941-1099 for the phone route.
Keep the IRS notice as a PDF for banks and platforms.
Pick a plan, pay once, and let our team handle the rest.
Solo founders launching their first US company
one-time + state filing fee
Founders who need to get paid and bank in the US
one-time + state filing fee
Full launch with brand, website and support
one-time + state filing fee
Talk to a FenFile advisor — we’ll point you to the right one.
Can’t find your answer? Our team replies on WhatsApp and email.
No. The IRS online application requires the responsible party to have an SSN or ITIN. Non-residents without either use Form SS-4 by fax or mail, or apply by phone through the IRS international line.
The IRS publishes an international line at +1 267-941-1099 for applicants outside the US. Check the IRS website for current hours, as they can change.
It varies by method and IRS workload. Phone applications can be completed during the call, while fax and mail take longer. Avoid planning a launch date around a fixed turnaround.
No. An EIN and an ITIN are different numbers. You can apply for an EIN without an ITIN, and many non-resident LLC owners never need an ITIN at all.
It can be, if you trust the provider, but the IRS charges nothing for an EIN. Make sure any service uses your correct details and gives you the official IRS confirmation, not just a receipt.
The IRS may reject or delay the application. Contact the IRS to correct the details, and if an EIN was issued with wrong information, ask the IRS how to update your records.
An EIN for non-residents is free from the IRS, but the online form is closed to …
EIN vs ITIN confuses almost every first-time founder. They are two different tax…
Form 5472 for foreign-owned LLCs is the filing that catches the most non-residen…
Written by the FenFile team · Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice.
Sources: IRS: About Form SS-4 · IRS: Employer ID Numbers
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