Can I get an EIN as a non-US resident? (Yes)
If you don't have a Social Security Number (SSN), you can still get an EIN for your US-based business. You just can't use the IRS online application — you have to use the SS-4 paper form path.
What you need
A US-formed business (LLC, corporation, partnership). We can form an LLC for you if you don't have one yet.
Your full legal name
Your address (foreign address is fine)
ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is helpful but NOT required
The two paths
Option 1: Apply yourself by mail or fax
Download Form SS-4 from irs.gov.
Fill out: - Box 7a (responsible party name): your legal name as it appears on your passport - Box 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN): leave blank if you have neither, OR enter your ITIN if you have one - Box 8 (LLC status): check Yes, enter member count - Box 10 (reason): check "Started new business"
Fax to (855) 641-6935.
Wait 4 business days for a fax-back of the EIN, or 4 weeks for a mailed CP-575 confirmation letter.
Option 2: We handle it for you
$79 flat fee, no extras
Typical turnaround: about 1 week. We file by fax since the IRS's online EIN application isn't available without an SSN, so it takes longer than our standard 1-24 hour turnaround for domestic applicants.
We complete and submit Form SS-4 on your behalf as your authorized representative, so you don't have to fill out or fax anything yourself
We send you the confirmation letter (CP-575) after the IRS replies
This is the option most non-US founders pick because the IRS phone support won't speak with you about a paper-filed SS-4 without an ITIN, and the timeline is unpredictable without a US point of contact.
What you can do with an EIN as a non-resident
Once you have the EIN: - ✅ Open a US business bank account (Mercury, Brex, and Wise all support non-resident sign-ups with an EIN + LLC + KYC docs) - ✅ Get paid by US customers via Stripe, Wise, or direct bank transfer - ✅ File US federal taxes (Form 5472 + Form 1120 for foreign-owned single-member LLCs) - ✅ Apply for a US business credit card (limited options without US credit history)
What you can NOT do: - ❌ Apply for US small-business loans (most require US citizens or permanent residents) - ❌ Apply for SBA loans - ❌ Skip the foreign-owned LLC tax filing (Form 5472) — penalty for missing it is $25,000
Common pitfalls
Pitfall 1: The "1 EIN per responsible party per day" rule
If you're forming multiple businesses, only apply for one EIN per day per responsible party. The IRS system rejects the second one.
Pitfall 2: Wrong address format
Foreign addresses MUST follow the IRS's foreign-address format: country at the bottom, no abbreviations, English characters only.
Pitfall 3: Missing Form 5472 filing
Every foreign-owned single-member LLC must file Form 5472 + a pro-forma Form 1120 every year, even with $0 revenue. $25,000 penalty for not filing. We can refer you to a US tax preparer who handles these (we don't currently file Form 5472 ourselves).
Pitfall 4: ITIN vs. EIN confusion
ITIN: tax ID for a foreign INDIVIDUAL.
EIN: tax ID for a BUSINESS. You may want both: ITIN for personal US tax obligations, EIN for the business.
Tax implications you should know
Owning a US LLC as a non-resident doesn't automatically make you a US tax resident. You're taxed in your home country on the LLC's profits (depending on your home country's rules).
You may owe US tax on income that's "effectively connected with a US trade or business" — vague, depends on facts. Get a US tax pro before your first year-end.
Common US tax pros for non-resident-owned LLCs: - Online International Tax Services (OITS) - Greenback Expat Tax Services - Independent CPAs with non-resident expertise
We don't currently partner with any specific tax pro for this niche; happy to provide referrals from past customers.
Next steps
Need to form an LLC + get an EIN? Start at https://www.formationhub.com/ and let us know in chat that you don't have an SSN — we'll route you to the non-resident EIN process.
Already have an LLC and just need the EIN? Open a chat at https://www.formationhub.com/ and we'll get you started.
Have questions? Open a chat (we have non-resident-specific FAQs we can share).