Form SS-4 is the IRS application you file to get an EIN (Employer Identification Number) for your US LLC. If you are a non-resident founder with no SSN and no ITIN, this is the one form standing between you and a US bank account, Stripe verification, and your annual tax filings. The good news: you can get an EIN without an SSN. You just cannot use the online system, so you file Form SS-4 by fax or phone instead.
This guide walks through exactly how to complete and submit Form SS-4 as a foreign owner in 2026. You will see the real fax numbers, the box-by-box instructions, the mistakes that get applications rejected, and what to do once your EIN arrives. No fluff, just the steps that work.
What Is Form SS-4?
Form SS-4 is the official IRS application for an EIN. You download it free from irs.gov. There is no charge from the IRS to apply. Third-party services charge anywhere from $50 to $300 to do it for you, but that fee is optional.
An EIN is a 9-digit number in the format XX-XXXXXXX. Think of it as a social security number for your business. The IRS uses it to identify your LLC for tax purposes, and almost everyone else uses it to confirm your business is real.
You will need an EIN to:
- Open a US business bank account (Mercury, Relay, Wise Business)
- File US federal taxes for your LLC
- Verify your business with Stripe and PayPal
- Hire employees in the US
- Open an Amazon or other marketplace seller account
If you have formed a Delaware or Wyoming LLC, the EIN is the next step before the business can actually function.
Who Needs to File Form SS-4?
Not every tiny side project needs one, but almost every real business does. You should file Form SS-4 if any of the following apply:
- Your LLC has employees. This is a legal requirement, not optional.
- You want to open a US bank account. Virtually every US bank and fintech asks for an EIN during onboarding.
- Your LLC will file US taxes. A foreign-owned single-member LLC still files Form 5472 each year, and that needs an EIN.
- You are a non-resident owner with no SSN or ITIN. You still qualify for an EIN, and Form SS-4 is how you get it.
If you own your US LLC through a UK Ltd or another entity, you still need the EIN at the US LLC level. For more on how layered ownership works, see our guide on LLC ownership structures.
The 3 Ways Non-Residents Can Submit Form SS-4 (No SSN Required)
Here is the part most guides get wrong. As a non-resident with no SSN or ITIN, you have three routes, not four. The online EIN application is off the table because it demands an SSN or ITIN before it will issue a number. Your options are fax, phone, and mail.
Option 1: Fax (most dependable route, about 4 business days)
Fax is the method most non-residents use. It is reliable, leaves a paper trail, and the IRS faxes the EIN straight back to you.
- Faxing from outside the US: 304-707-9471
- Faxing from inside the US: 855-215-1627
- Include a cover sheet with your name, the LLC name, and your return fax number or address
- Processing time: roughly 4 business days
- The IRS faxes your EIN back to the number you provide
If you do not own a fax machine, an online fax service works fine. Keep a copy of the transmission confirmation. Fax is the dependable route for non-residents because it creates a verifiable record on both sides and does not depend on hold times.
Option 2: Phone (immediate, EIN issued on the call)
If you want your EIN the same day, call the IRS international line.
- International phone line: +1-267-941-1099
- Open Monday to Friday, 6am to 11pm Eastern Time
- Complete Form SS-4 before you call so you can read the answers out
- The IRS agent issues the EIN during the call
The responsible party (that is you, the foreign founder) should make the call or authorise someone in writing. Have the completed form in front of you because the agent reads through it box by box. Note: the IRS issues only one EIN per responsible party per day by phone, so if you need EINs for multiple entities, you must call on separate days.
Option 3: Mail (slowest, 4 to 8 weeks, avoid unless you must)
Mail works but it is painfully slow. Use it only if fax and phone are impossible for you.
- Mail to: Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN International Operations, Cincinnati, OH 45999-0023
- Processing time: 4 to 8 weeks
For most founders waiting on a bank account or Stripe approval, four to eight weeks is too long. Fax or phone instead.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form SS-4 as a Non-Resident
Form SS-4 is one page. Most boxes are simple, but a few trip up non-residents every time. Here is how to complete the ones that matter.
- Box 1 (Legal name of entity): Enter your LLC name exactly as it appears on your Articles of Organization. Spelling and spacing must match the state filing.
- Box 2 (Trade name): Only fill this if your LLC operates under a different business name. Otherwise leave it blank.
- Box 4a and 4b (Mailing address): Use your LLC’s US registered agent address. The EIN confirmation letter gets mailed here, so it must be a working US address.
- Box 7a (Responsible party): Your full legal name as the foreign founder.
- Box 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN of responsible party): Write FOREIGN if you have no SSN or ITIN. Do not leave this blank.
- Box 8a (Is this an LLC?): Check Yes, and enter the number of members.
- Box 9a (Type of entity / reason): Select the option that fits, and for the reason tick “Started a new business”.
- Box 10 (Date business started): The formation date of your LLC.
- Box 14: Only relevant if you expect employment tax liability of $1,000 or less in a year.
- Box 16 (Principal business activity): A short, honest description, for example “e-commerce retail” or “software consulting”.
- Box 18 / closing month: Most LLCs use December as the closing month of the accounting year.
Sign and date the form. The responsible party named in Box 7a is the one who signs.
Common Mistakes Non-Residents Make on Form SS-4
These are the errors that cause rejections and delays. Avoid all of them.
- Leaving Box 7b blank. This is the number one reason applications bounce. If you have no SSN or ITIN, write FOREIGN. If you do have an ITIN, enter it.
- Wrong LLC name. The name in Box 1 must match your state filing character for character. A missing “LLC” or an extra comma can cause a mismatch.
- Using the wrong fax number. The fax number for callers outside the US is 304-707-9471. The fax number for callers inside the US is 855-215-1627. The phone line (267-941-1099) is not a fax number.
- Trying to apply online. The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN or ITIN. As a non-resident you cannot use it. Do not waste time here.
- No US address in Box 4. Without a registered agent address, your CP 575 confirmation has nowhere to go.
- Applying for more than one EIN in a day by phone. The IRS issues only one EIN per responsible party per day. If you need EINs for multiple entities, you must submit on separate days. Fax lets you send multiple applications at once, but each responsible party is still limited to one EIN per day.
What Happens After You Get Your EIN?
Once the IRS issues your EIN, a few things follow.
- You receive a CP 575 confirmation letter. This is the official EIN confirmation, mailed to your Box 4 address. Keep it safe.
- You can open a US bank account. Use the EIN to open Mercury, Relay, or Wise Business. Our most-read walkthrough on this is US LLC bank account for non-residents.
- You can verify payment processors. Stripe and PayPal both ask for your EIN during business verification. If Stripe approval is where you get stuck, our plans page covers how we help.
- You can file your annual return. Foreign-owned single-member LLCs must file Form 5472 together with a pro forma Form 1120 each year.
The EIN is reusable. Once you have it, you use the same number for every bank, processor, and filing going forward.
How Long Does It Take to Get an EIN as a Non-Resident?
Timing depends entirely on how you submit Form SS-4.
| Method | Processing time | How you receive the EIN |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | Same day | Read out on the call |
| Fax | About 4 business days | Faxed back to you |
| 4 to 8 weeks | Posted to Box 4 address |
If speed matters, call. If you prefer a paper trail and do not mind a few days, fax. Only use mail as a last resort.
Do You Need a US Address to Get an EIN?
No. You do not need a personal US address. You do need a US mailing address for Box 4, and your LLC’s registered agent address covers this.
The IRS mails your CP 575 confirmation to the Box 4 address, so it must be one where your agent forwards mail to you. If you set up your LLC through our plans page, the registered agent address is included, so Box 4 is sorted for you.
EIN vs ITIN: What Is the Difference?
These two numbers get confused constantly. They are not the same thing.
- EIN (Employer Identification Number): Issued to your business entity, the LLC. This is what you apply for with Form SS-4.
- ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number): Issued to you as a foreign individual. You apply for it with Form W-7, not SS-4.
A non-resident LLC owner often needs the EIN right away and may need an ITIN later, for example if you earn US-source income that requires a personal tax return. For opening a bank account and running the LLC, the EIN is what you need first. The ITIN can wait until a personal filing obligation appears.
If you run a US LLC alongside a UK Ltd, the cheapest way to get the UK side moving is our Launchpad package, built specifically for non-resident founders.
FAQ
Can a non-resident get an EIN without an SSN?
Yes. You apply using Form SS-4 by fax or phone and write FOREIGN in Box 7b where the SSN or ITIN would go. The online EIN tool will not work without an SSN or ITIN, so use fax or phone instead.
Do I need an EIN before opening a US bank account?
Yes. Virtually all US banks and fintechs require an EIN to open a business account. Get the EIN first, then apply to the bank.
Can I apply for an EIN online as a non-US resident?
No. The IRS online EIN application requires an SSN or ITIN, which most non-residents do not have. You must use fax, phone, or mail.
How much does an EIN cost?
Nothing. The IRS issues EINs free of charge. Third-party services may charge $50 to $300 to handle the application for you, but that fee is optional.
Can I use my EIN immediately?
Yes. Once the EIN is issued by phone or fax, you can start using it right away to open accounts and verify with processors.
Is an EIN the same as a tax ID?
For a business, yes. The EIN is your LLC’s federal tax identification number used on all US filings.
