How to Get an EIN for a Non-Resident LLC Without an SSN

An EIN is your company's tax ID number in the US. Without one, your LLC can't open a bank account or pass verification with Stripe or Payoneer. Here's how to get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN using Form SS-4, which filing method is fastest, and what to do with the number once you have it.

Step 01Form the LLC first, then get the EIN

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your company's identifier with the IRS. You don't need to have employees: you'll still need the number for banks, payment processors, marketplaces, and tax filings. It's free - the IRS states plainly that you never have to pay anyone for the number itself.

The order never changes. First, you form your LLC in the state of your choice (Delaware, Wyoming, etc.) and receive your formation document. Only then do you file Form SS-4 with the IRS. The reason is simple: the form asks for your exact legal name and date of formation, and those don't exist until the company is registered.

If you file SS-4 for a company that isn't in the state registry yet, you'll either get a number for an entity that doesn't exist or a rejection. Fixing that later takes far longer than waiting a couple of days.

Step 02How to fill out SS-4 without an SSN or ITIN

Non-residents can't use the IRS online application: it requires an SSN or ITIN and a principal place of business in the US. So you'll be working with the paper Form SS-4, which you can download from irs.gov and fill out as a PDF.

The lines people get wrong most often:

• Line 1 - the LLC's full legal name, exactly as shown in your state documents.
• Lines 4-6 - the address. You can use a foreign address or your registered agent's address - just make sure mail actually reaches it, because that's where the letter with your number will go.
• Line 7a - the responsible party, meaning you, the actual owner. Not your registered agent and not an intermediary: the IRS explicitly prohibits listing nominees.
• Line 7b - if you don't have an SSN or ITIN and can't get one, write foreign or N/A. Don't leave this field blank, and avoid writing "NONE".
• Lines 8a-8c - check that it's an LLC and enter the number of members. A single-member LLC is treated as a disregarded entity by default; one with two or more members is treated as a partnership.
• Line 9a - type of entity. For a single-member LLC owned by a foreign person, the usual choice is "Other" with "Foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity" written in. Double-check the wording for your situation in the SS-4 instructions.
• Lines 10, 11, 16 - reason for applying ("Started new business"), date the business started, and principal activity. Be specific about what you do: "online retail of clothing," not "business."

At the bottom: signature and date. Applications sent by fax or mail won't be accepted without a signature.

Method 01By phone: get your number the same day

The IRS has a dedicated line for applicants with no US address or office: 267-941-1099. It isn't toll-free, so you'll be paying international rates or calling via VoIP. The line is open Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time (roughly 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. the next day in Moscow).

Fill out SS-4 before you call: the agent will go through the form line by line. If everything checks out, they'll read you the number during the call. Write it down and read it back digit by digit. A confirmation letter will follow by mail.

The downside is hold times and having to speak English. It sounds intimidating, but the questions are standard: company name, address, owner, and type of business.

Method 02By fax or mail, and what to do if you hear nothing

Fax. International applicants fax SS-4 to 304-707-9471 from outside the US or to 855-215-1627 from within the US. The fax line accepts submissions 24/7. Be sure to include a return fax number on the form - that's where the IRS will send your EIN. The official turnaround is usually within 4 business days. In practice it can take longer, especially during tax season.

No fax machine? Online fax services work fine. Just make sure the service gives you an incoming number and stores the documents you receive.

Mail. Address: Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN International Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999. The IRS quotes about 4 weeks and recommends applying 4-5 weeks before you need the number. With international shipping, allow more time.

If you don't hear back, don't resubmit right away. The IRS accepts one application per responsible party per day, and duplicates cause confusion and can result in two numbers for the same company. Wait out the stated timeframe, then call: for mailed applications the IRS lists 800-829-4933, and from abroad you can try the 267-941-1099 line. Ask them to check whether a number has already been assigned.

Step 03After the EIN: CP 575, bank, and payment processors

The official confirmation of your number is the CP 575 notice. If you applied by phone or mail, it's sent to the address on your form. If you applied by fax, you'll get the number by fax first. Keep the PDF or a scan somewhere safe: banks and payment processors often ask for this exact document.

If the letter gets lost, you can request Letter 147C - an EIN verification letter from the IRS. You request it by phone, and it can be sent by fax or mail. Most banks accept 147C in place of CP 575.

Next steps, in order:

1. Open a business account with a bank or fintech service that works with non-residents. Along with the EIN, they'll ask for your operating agreement, formation document, and the owner's passport.
2. Set up payment processors in the company's name. The details in your application must match SS-4 and your state documents character for character - otherwise verification will drag on or you'll be asked to re-verify the account. For help choosing a processor, see "Which Payment System to Choose in 2026".
3. If your citizenship or residency is restricted by a service, an EIN doesn't change that. Payment processors verify the owner, not just the company, and hiding your real details is a sure path to getting blocked.

Step 04Reporting: don't forget Form 5472

The number comes with obligations. A single-member LLC owned by a foreign person must file Form 5472 every year along with a pro forma Form 1120 - even with zero revenue. The deadline is the same as for Form 1120, including extensions.

The penalty for failing to file, or filing an incomplete form, is $25,000 per form. If the IRS sends a notice and the form still isn't filed within 90 days, an additional $25,000 is charged for every 30 days after that. This is not paperwork you can put off.

On top of that, there are state taxes and fees. If your company is in Delaware, see "How to Pay the Delaware LLC Franchise Tax Remotely". For more complex cases (multiple members, real sales in the US, a warehouse), it's worth a one-time consultation with an accountant who works with non-residents.

SummaryPre-filing checklist

• Your LLC is already registered with the state, and you have the document in hand.
• The name on line 1 matches your state documents.
• Line 7a lists you as the actual owner; line 7b says foreign or N/A.
• You've provided a working mailing address and a return fax number if you're filing by fax.
• The form is signed and dated.
• You've chosen one method: phone 267-941-1099, fax 304-707-9471, or mail to Cincinnati.
• You won't resubmit until the stated timeframe has passed and you've checked the status.
• CP 575 or 147C is saved, and the Form 5472 deadline is on your calendar.

IRS rules change from time to time, so check the current SS-4 instructions before you file. The information above was accurate at the time of writing, October 2026.