How To Get An EIN Or Employer Identification Number For LLC

“Forming a U.S. company without an EIN? That’s like opening a bakery and forgetting the oven.”

So You’ve Formed a U.S. LLC. But the IRS Doesn’t Know You Exist Yet?

Welcome to the “real launch” moment of your company.

You’ve picked a state. Registered the LLC. Maybe even picked a slick name and secured a business address. But if you haven’t grabbed your EIN—your Employer Identification Number—you’re still standing at the door of the U.S. business world, holding your key, but not quite turning it.

Think of an EIN as your company or business’s identity card. Without it, your LLC is like a nameless face at the party. Registered, but invisible to the system that actually gives you access to the good stuff.

So if you’re wondering:

“Do I really need one if I’m not hiring employees?”
“Can I apply without a Social Security Number?”
“How long does it take?”
“Where do I even start on how to get an EIN for my LLC?”

Then, you have definitely landed exactly where you need to be.

Let’s break it down like a casual chat over coffee, not some stiff tax manual from the IRS.

No hassle. No legal lecture. Just what you actually need to know to stay compliant.

But First, What Even Is an EIN?

Let’s clear this up like we’re talking over a cup of black coffee—no IRS jargon, just straight-up facts.

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is basically—you can say, and no wrong in that—your business’s Social Security Number. It’s how the IRS identifies your LLC. You’ll need it to:

Open a U.S. business bank account
File taxes
Hire employees (if that’s the plan down the line)
Apply for Stripe, PayPal, Wise, or even basic vendor accounts

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a local founder in Chicago or a non-resident running things from Dhaka or Delhi—if your business is based in the U.S., it needs an EIN to function. Period.

Yes. You absolutely can.

The internet has this weird habit of making things sound harder than they really are, like you need a green card, SSN, or secret handshake. You don’t.

If you’re a non-resident with no SSN or ITIN, you can still apply for an EIN by:

Filling out the IRS Form SS-4
Writing “N/A” in the SSN/ITIN field (Line 7b)
Sending it via fax or mail (yep, old-school style)
Waiting patiently (this part’s very American, too)

We’ll get to the how in a second, but just breathe, this step is very doable.

When Should You Apply for an EIN?

Ideally, right after your LLC is formed, before you:

Open a U.S. bank account
File anything tax-related
Apply for payment processors
Or hire your first team member

Basically, if your LLC is the body, the EIN is the heartbeat. You want it early, not after your vendors start asking for it and you’re scrambling like it’s tax season in April.

What You’ll Need Before Applying

Grab these before diving into the SS-4 form:

Your LLC’s legal or official name (registered with the state)
A U.S. mailing address (often your registered agent’s—see: Virtual Office vs. Registered Agent)
A brief business description (no Shakespeare needed, just a line or two)
Contact info of the “responsible party” (that’s you)

And remember: if you don’t have an SSN, it’s totally okay.

EIN Application Options: Which Route Should You Take?

Apply by Fax (Best for Non-Residents)

This is the go-to. Just:

Fill out Form SS-4
Fax it to +1-304-707-9471 (from outside the U.S.)
Wait 1–3 weeks

It’s not instant, but it’s free, efficient, and doesn’t require you to live in the States.

Apply by Mail (Slower but Fine)

If fax isn’t an option, mail works:

Send the form to

Internal Revenue Service

Attn: EIN International Operation

Cincinnati, OH 45999, USA

Processing time? It could be 4–6 weeks.

Use a Third-Party Designee (Optional)

If you don’t want to deal with the IRS directly, you can authorize a Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) or a trusted formation company to file for you.

This helps when:

You’re too busy to follow up
You want someone else to deal with faxing and rejections

How long does it usually take to get an EIN?

Fax: 5 to 15 business days
Mail: 4 to 6 weeks
Third-party services: Depends on their efficiency

And once you get it? You’ll receive a CP 575 confirmation letter from the IRS.

That’s the one you keep safe. Screenshot it. PDF it. Save a backup in Google Drive and even in your grandma’s email if you have to.

Can You Apply for an EIN Online as a Non-Resident?

Unfortunately, no.

The IRS’s online portal requires an SSN or ITIN, so for non-residents, online is out.

But don’t let that throw you. Faxing is still the fastest path, and it’s 100% acceptable.

What About Multi-Member LLCs or Series LLCs?

Great question.

If your LLC has more than one member, you’ll need to specify that on the SS-4.

If it’s a Series LLC, you’ll generally apply once for the “parent,” unless each series needs a distinct EIN for banking or operational reasons.

Not sure which structure’s right for you? See: What Is a Series LLC and Is It Right for You? Or the Difference Between LLC and C Corporation in the U.S., or S Corp vs C Corp: Which One Should You Choose?

Little Cultural Side Note

In the U.S., the IRS isn’t some scary monster under the bed.

It’s slow, yes. Bureaucratic, for sure. But it plays fair.

As long as your paperwork is solid and your intentions are clean, you’ll get your EIN without any drama. It’s not a race. It’s a system. And it works when you work with it.

Final Thoughts: So Now the IRS Knows You Exist.

With your EIN in hand, you and your company are no longer just ink on a registration paper—you’re officially in business.

You’re a functioning U.S. business with the tools to open a bank account, receive payments, file taxes, and operate like the real deal.

And if you did it as a non-resident? Even better.

You’ve just cracked a code many still find intimidating and proved it’s entirely doable with the right structure and mindset.

Starting a business in the U.S. isn’t just about getting formed. It’s about getting noticed by the IRS, by banks, and by every system that matters.

If you’re still figuring out how to get an EIN, now you know the map.

It’s your move now.

So go ahead. Step in.

The door’s open.

FAQs about How to Get an EIN or Employer Identification Number

Do I really need an EIN for my LLC if I’m not hiring employees?

Yes, this surprises a lot of new founders. Even if you’re a single-member LLC with no team, you’ll still need an EIN to:

Open a U.S. business bank account
File federal taxes
Register with payment processors like Stripe or PayPal
Sign contracts under your company name

So yes, it’s kind of a must-have.

I’m not a U.S. resident—can I still get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN?

Yep. Of course you can. You don’t need an SSN (Social Security Number) or an ITIN (Individual Tax Identification Number) to apply for an EIN. Just enter “N/A” in the SSN section of IRS Form SS-4 and you’re set. Good to go.

Can I put down a form for an EIN online even if I’m not in the U.S.?

Unfortunately, no.

The IRS’s online application system only works for people with an SSN or ITIN.

If you’re a non-resident, you’ll need to apply by fax, mail, or appoint a third-party designee (like a registered agent or CAA).

How long does it take to get my EIN?

Fax: 1 to 3 weeks (faster if you include everything correctly)
Mail: 4 to 6 weeks
Through a service provider: Often within a few days, depending on their speed and the IRS backlog

Pro tip: Keep your inbox (and spam folder) on watch. The IRS may fax or mail your EIN confirmation.

What happens if I make a mistake on the EIN application?

Small typo? You can usually fix it later by calling the IRS (though wait times are real).

Big error (wrong business name, wrong structure)? You might have to re-file.

That’s why many non-residents double-check with a professional or use trusted services.

Is the EIN the same as a Tax ID?

Yes. Same thing. Kind of. I mean, EIN is a tax ID for your business.

You might see terms like EIN, FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number), or Business/company Tax ID Number. They all refer to that 9-digit number the IRS gives your business.

Can I reuse the same EIN if I form another LLC later?

Nope. Not a chance.

Each LLC needs its own unique EIN. Even if you’re the same owner. Even if it’s in the same state.

Is getting an EIN free?

Yes!

The IRS doesn’t charge anything to issue an EIN.

But third-party services might charge a processing fee if you want help applying.

How to Get an EIN for Your US LLC