EIN for a US LLC: SS-4, banking and IRS operating file
EIN for a US LLC with no SSN or ITIN, normally delivered by Exentax in 1 business day with a complete file. The tax number that unlocks banking, payment processors and IRS compliance.
At Exentax, we normally obtain an EIN for a US LLC with no SSN or ITIN in 1 business day when the file is complete. The edge is not a shortcut: it is a clean SS-4, correct responsible party, authorization and bank-ready file before contacting the IRS.
<p class="text-sm opacity-80 italic"><strong>Pillar guide:</strong> for the full step-by-step flow, see our <a href="/en/form-llc">definitive guide to forming a US LLC</a>.</p>
The EIN (Employer Identification Number) is the tax identification number for your US LLC. Without it, you can't open a bank account, file taxes, or set up payment processors. Here's everything you need to know.
What is an EIN?
The EIN is a 9-digit number assigned by the <a href="https://www.irs.gov" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IRS</a> to identify your business for tax purposes. Think of it as the Social Security Number for your company. It follows the format XX-XXXXXXX.
It's the equivalent of:
- NIF/CIF in Spain
- RFC in Mexico
- NIT in Colombia
- CUIT in Argentina
- RUT in Chile
Despite the name ("Employer Identification Number"), you don't need to have employees to get an EIN. It is simply required for any US business entity.
Why do you need an EIN?
- Bank accounts: Mercury, Relay, and any US bank will ask for your EIN before opening an account
- Tax filing: Required for filing Form 5472, Form 1120, and any other IRS documents
- Payment processors: Stripe, PayPal Business, and others require it for US business accounts
- Vendor relationships: US companies will ask for your EIN when you work with them (W-9 or W-8BEN-E)
- W-8BEN-E form: The form you use with clients to certify you're a non-US entity requires your EIN
- BOI Report: FinCEN requires the EIN when filing the Beneficial Ownership Information Report
How to get an EIN as a non-resident
Getting an EIN as a non-resident is more complex than for US citizens, because you can't apply online if you don't have a US Social Security Number or ITIN.
The fax or mail method
Non-residents must complete Form SS-4 and either:
- Fax it to the IRS International EIN number
- Mail it to the IRS
Processing time depends on channel and file quality. With a complete Exentax file, the EIN is normally issued in 1 business day; direct postal routes can still take weeks and become the bottleneck of the LLC setup.
Phone application
You can call the IRS international line directly to obtain an EIN. This can be faster, but requires navigating IRS phone systems (with their 45+ minute hold times) and being available during US business hours (Eastern Time). You must speak English fluently.
Through a formation service
When Exentax forms your LLC, the EIN is handled as part of the formation file: SS-4, responsible party, authorization, IRS follow-up and delivery of the EIN confirmation letter (CP 575) or replacement evidence when needed. The client validates the facts; Exentax controls the execution trail.
The EIN confirmation letter (CP 575)
Once the IRS assigns your EIN, they send a confirmation letter called CP 575. This is an important document; some banks and financial institutions specifically request it. Keep it safe, both digitally and physically.
If you ever lose it, you can request a replacement called a 147C letter from the IRS.
Important: Mercury specifically requests the CP 575 during the account opening process. Having it ready speeds up your approval.
EIN vs. ITIN vs. SSN: what's the difference?
| ID Type | For whom | Format | Required for LLC? |
|---|---|---|---|
| EIN | Business entity (LLC) | XX-XXXXXXX | Yes; essential |
| ITIN | Individual without SSN | 9XX-XX-XXXX | Maybe (PayPal Business requires owner's ITIN) |
| SSN | US citizens/residents | XXX-XX-XXXX | No, not needed |
As a foreign LLC owner, your LLC has an EIN. You personally might need an ITIN if you ever need to interact with the IRS directly or if you use PayPal Business (which requires the owner's ITIN, not just the LLC's EIN).
Protecting your EIN
Your EIN is like a business social security number — protect it from unauthorized use. Only share it with:
- Banks and financial institutions (Mercury, Relay, Wise)
- The IRS for tax filing
- Clients who need it for contractor payment reporting (Form 1099 or W-8BEN-E)
- Authorized tax preparers and accountants
- FinCEN for BOI Report filing
- Payment processors (Stripe, PayPal)
What comes after the EIN?
Once you have your EIN, you can:
- Open a coherent US business account (Relay, Slash or Mercury depending on the real KYC profile)
- Set up Stripe US and PayPal Business for payment processing
- Configure Slash for corporate treasury (yield on idle cash)
- Open Wise Business for multi-currency and conversions
- File required IRS forms annually (Form 5472 + 1120)
- File the BOI Report with FinCEN
EIN application: common problems and solutions
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Fax rejection | Form SS-4 incomplete or illegible | Resubmit with all fields completed, typed (not handwritten) |
| No response after 4 weeks | IRS processing backlog | Call IRS International at (267) 941-1099 |
| Wrong entity type assigned | Incorrect box checked on SS-4 | File Form 8832 to correct entity classification |
| EIN issued to wrong name | Name mismatch with Articles | Contact IRS to correct; may need to apply for new EIN |
| Can't verify EIN online | Too soon after issuance | Wait 2-3 weeks for IRS database update |
| EIN letter (CP575) lost | Never received or misplaced | Request Form 147C from IRS as replacement |
The Exentax difference
We've filed hundreds of EIN applications. Our approval rate is 98%+ on first submission because we verify every field, every name spelling, and every classification before filing. When issues arise, we follow up directly with the IRS International line — something most entrepreneurs can't do effectively due to hold times (sometimes 1-2 hours) and IRS phone menu complexity.
What platforms need your EIN
| Platform | EIN required? | Additional ID needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Yes | Passport |
| Relay | Yes | Passport |
| Stripe | Yes | Passport, proof of address |
| Wise Business | Yes | Passport |
| Slash | Yes | Passport |
| PayPal Business | Yes | + ITIN (owner's personal) |
| Amazon Seller | Yes | + ITIN |
| Shopify Payments | Yes | Passport |
| IRS (Form 5472) | Yes | – |
| FinCEN (BOI Report) | Yes | Passport |
Your EIN is the master key to your entire LLC financial infrastructure. That's why getting it right the first time is essential.
A couple of adjacent reads worth having open alongside this one: <a href="/en/blog/open-a-us-llc-5-real-advantages-over-eu-shells">Why open a US LLC today: the 5 pillars of the American advantage</a> and <a href="/en/blog/llc-for-devs-and-saas-stripe-us-banking-structure">US LLC for software developers and SaaS founders: the complete guide</a>, which sharpen exactly the edges we skimmed above.
> <a href="/en/book">Review my structure</a>
- The EIN is the first banking anchor. Without it, most serious providers, gateways and tax forms cannot connect the account to the LLC cleanly.
- Use the EIN consistently. Legal name, IRS record, bank application, payment processor profile and accounting file should not show variations that create review friction.
- Do not rush applications before the IRS identifier is stable. A mistyped name or inconsistent address can follow the LLC into banking, W forms and annual filings.
- Exentax treats EIN delivery as the start of the operational file. Once issued, it is linked to banking, documents, required actions and compliance calendar.
Why obtaining the EIN deserves a clean, traceable record from the start
Obtaining the EIN of an LLC deserves a clean, traceable record from the very start, because the EIN becomes the identifier referenced in almost every later operation: bank opening, payment gateway registration, informational filings, and any subsequent communication with the IRS.