Getting a US EIN number is one of those tasks that sounds intimidating โ until you actually do it. This step-by-step guide breaks the whole thing down so that whether you’re a US resident forming your first LLC or a non-US founder building a remote business, you’ll know exactly what to do and in what order. I’ve done this multiple times across different entity types, and the process is more straightforward than most people expect.
An EIN โ Employer Identification Number โ is essentially a Social Security Number for your business. The IRS uses it to identify your company for tax purposes. You need it to open a US business bank account, hire employees, file federal taxes, and in many cases, just to sign up for business services. Without one, your US company is essentially incomplete. The good news: as of 2026, the IRS online application still works, it’s still free, and most applicants get their EIN the same day.
What Is an EIN and Who Needs One?
An EIN is a nine-digit number formatted as XX-XXXXXXX, issued by the Internal Revenue Service. It’s sometimes called a Federal Tax Identification Number, and those two terms are completely interchangeable. Think of it as your business’s permanent ID โ it doesn’t change even if you change your business name or address.
Almost every US business entity needs one. Single-member LLCs, multi-member LLCs, C-Corps, S-Corps, partnerships, sole proprietors with employees โ all of them. Even if you’re a solo freelancer operating as a sole proprietor with no employees, having an EIN lets you hand clients a tax ID without exposing your personal SSN on every W-9 you sign. That alone is worth the 10 minutes it takes to apply.
Here’s something a lot of people miss: non-US residents and non-US citizens can absolutely get an EIN โ even if you don’t have an SSN or ITIN. The IRS allows foreign nationals who own a US-registered business entity to apply via fax or phone. I’ve helped several international founders go through this process in 2026, and while it takes a bit longer than the online route, it absolutely works.
One concrete example: a friend of mine runs a Delaware C-Corp from Portugal. She got her EIN via fax using IRS Form SS-4 in about 4 business days. No SSN required, no US address required โ just a properly formed US entity and a completed form.
How to Apply for Your EIN: The Exact Steps
The fastest method โ and the one I always recommend to US residents and US-based entities โ is the IRS online EIN application. You go to irs.gov, navigate to the EIN Assistant, answer about 10 questions, and receive your EIN instantly at the end. The whole thing takes under 15 minutes if you have your entity details ready.
For non-US applicants who can’t use the online tool, IRS Form SS-4 is your path. You fill it out and either fax it to the IRS (processing time is roughly 4 business days) or call the IRS International line at +1-267-941-1099. The phone route is genuinely efficient โ I’ve seen people get their EIN on the same call, in about 30 minutes, if they have the form in front of them and can answer questions clearly.
A few things to have ready before you start: your legal business name exactly as it appears in your formation documents, your business address, the responsible party’s name and SSN or ITIN (or just name and address if you’re a foreign applicant), your entity type, and the reason you’re applying. Don’t guess on entity type โ if you formed an LLC, select LLC. If you elected S-Corp status, that’s a separate step done after you have the EIN.
One mistake I see constantly: people start the IRS online session and then leave it idle. The system times out after 15 minutes of inactivity and you have to start over. Prepare everything in a separate document first, then complete the application in one focused session.
EIN Application Checklist: What to Have Ready
- Your business’s legal name exactly as it appears in formation documents
- Your business address (a registered agent address works for non-US residents)
- The responsible party’s full legal name and SSN, ITIN, or EIN
- Your entity type (LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp, sole proprietor, etc.)
- Your reason for applying (started a new business, hired employees, opened a bank account, etc.)
After You Get Your EIN: What to Do Next
The moment you receive your EIN, save it in at least two secure places. The IRS will display it on screen and offer a PDF confirmation letter โ download that immediately. It’s called the CP 575 notice, and some banks will ask for it specifically when you open a business account. Losing it isn’t catastrophic (you can call the IRS to retrieve it), but it’s an unnecessary hassle.
Next step: open your US business bank account. Mercury, Relay, and Bluevine are popular options in 2026 among founders I know โ all three are online-first, open to non-US residents in many cases, and specifically ask for your EIN during signup. Mercury in particular has become the go-to for LLC and C-Corp founders who want a clean, modern banking interface without minimum balance requirements.
You’ll also use your EIN to set up payroll (if you’re hiring), register for state taxes in any state where you have nexus, apply for business credit, and file your federal tax returns. If you elected S-Corp status for your LLC, you’ll file IRS Form 2553 separately โ and you’ll need your EIN on that form. One important note: your EIN is also required when applying for most business licenses at the state or local level, so don’t wait until you need it to get it. Apply on day one.
I’d also recommend adding your EIN to your records management system right away โ whatever you use, whether it’s Notion, a shared Google Drive, or a proper document vault. The 9-digit number itself is simple, but keeping it alongside your formation documents, operating agreement, and registered agent info means you’re never scrambling when a bank, accountant, or government form asks for it at short notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get an EIN?
If you use the IRS online tool, you get your EIN immediately โ as in, the same session, before you close the browser. Fax applications take around 4 business days, and mailed applications can take 4-6 weeks, so avoid mail if you’re in any kind of hurry.
Can I get an EIN without a Social Security Number?
Yes, absolutely. Non-US residents who don’t have an SSN or ITIN can still get an EIN by completing IRS Form SS-4 and either faxing it or calling the IRS International line. You just can’t use the online application โ that one requires a US taxpayer ID for the responsible party.
Does getting an EIN cost anything?
Not a cent โ the IRS issues EINs for free. If you’re seeing a website charging you $50, $75, or more to ‘apply on your behalf,’ you’re looking at a third-party filing service. They’re legal, but unnecessary for most people who can just go directly to irs.gov.
Can one business have more than one EIN?
Generally, no โ one EIN per legal entity. But if you form multiple separate LLCs or corporations, each one gets its own EIN. If you change your business structure (say, converting from an LLC to a corporation), you’ll typically need a new EIN for the new entity.
What if I lose my EIN confirmation letter?
Don’t panic. You can call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 and they’ll give you your EIN over the phone after verifying your identity. It’s a bit of a wait sometimes, but it works. Your EIN also appears on any federal tax return or bank documents you’ve previously filed.
Getting your US EIN number is genuinely one of the easier parts of forming a business โ the IRS has made the online process fast, free, and accessible. The friction people feel usually comes from not knowing exactly what to prepare beforehand or which application method applies to their situation. Now you know both. Apply the day your entity is formed, download that CP 575 confirmation PDF, and move straight to opening your bank account.
From there, the real work of building a US business begins โ and that’s the part I find actually interesting. If you want to go deeper on US entity formation, banking for non-US founders, and building lean international businesses, that’s exactly what I cover over at my main site, ionplaton.com. Come take a look โ there’s a lot more where this came from.
๐ก About the author: Ion Platon is an entrepreneur and founder specializing in organic content distribution, e-commerce, and U.S. company formation. Learn more at ionplaton.com.