22 mai 2026
EN — EIN for Non-US Residents: How to Get Your LLC's Tax ID (2026)
How to get an EIN for your US LLC as a non-resident in 2026. No SSN required. Form SS-4 by fax guide, timeline, and the $25,000 reason you cannot skip it.
You've formed your LLC. Now you need an EIN — the tax ID that unlocks Mercury, Stripe, and your IRS filing obligations. For non-US residents, the process is different from what most guides describe (because they are written for US residents).
This guide covers exactly how non-residents obtain an EIN, what Form SS-4 is, why getting it right the first time matters, and how long to realistically expect to wait.
What is an EIN?
💡 Answer capsule — What is an EIN and why is it required for a US LLC? An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a 9-digit tax identification number assigned by the IRS to identify your LLC as a business entity. Format: XX-XXXXXXX. It is required to: open a Mercury or Relay bank account, activate Stripe, and file Form 5472 annually with the IRS. Without an EIN, your LLC exists legally but cannot function operationally. The EIN is free — the IRS does not charge for it.
EIN stands for Employer Identification Number — despite the name, you do not need employees to get one. It is simply your LLC's federal tax ID, equivalent to a VAT number in Europe or a company registration number in the UK.
What you use your EIN for:
- Opening Mercury, Relay, or any US business bank account
- Activating Stripe (required field in the business setup)
- Filing Form 5472 with the IRS each year
- Completing W-8BEN-E for US payment platforms
- Signing contracts with US companies that require a federal tax ID
The problem for non-residents: the online portal is closed
US residents can get an EIN instantly through the IRS online application. But this portal is restricted to US residents with a US address. If you are outside the US, the online route is not available.
Non-residents have two options:
- By fax — fastest option: 4–8 weeks
- By mail — slowest option: 8–16 weeks minimum
💡 Answer capsule — Can non-US residents apply for an EIN online? No. The IRS online EIN application is restricted to individuals with a US Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and a US address. Non-US residents without an SSN must submit Form SS-4 by fax to the IRS international number (+1-267-941-1099) or by mail. The fax method takes approximately 4–8 weeks. The EIN is free regardless of the method.
Form SS-4: the document you need to complete
Form SS-4 is the IRS application for an EIN. It can be downloaded from the IRS website (irs.gov). For non-residents, several fields require specific attention.
Critical fields on Form SS-4
Line 1 — Legal name of entity: Enter your LLC's exact name as it appears in your Articles of Organization. Every character must match.
Line 7a/7b — Responsible party: The IRS requires the SSN or ITIN of the "responsible party." For non-residents without either, write "Foreign" in the applicable field. Some IRS agents accept this; others request additional information. This is the most common source of delays and rejections.
Line 9a — Type of entity: Check "Limited Liability Company" and enter "1" for the number of members (Single-Member LLC).
Line 10 — Reason for applying: Check "Started new business" for a new LLC.
Line 11 — Date business started or acquired: The date your LLC was officially formed (as shown on your Articles of Organization).
Common mistakes that cause delays
💡 Answer capsule — Why do non-residents get delays or rejections on their EIN application? The most common EIN delay causes for non-residents: (1) the LLC name on Form SS-4 does not exactly match the Articles of Organization, (2) unclear handling of the "responsible party" field for people without SSN/ITIN, (3) sending to the wrong IRS fax number (must be the international number), (4) illegible fax quality, (5) incorrect entity type selection. A single error means starting over with an additional 4–8 week wait.
- LLC name mismatch between Form SS-4 and Articles of Organization
- Incorrect responsible party field handling
- Wrong fax number (must be +1-267-941-1099 for international filers)
- Poor fax quality (IRS cannot process illegible forms)
- Wrong entity type or incorrect member count
This is exactly why mallc.fr handles EIN applications in-house for Serenity and Integral plan clients — correctly completed forms sent to the right number on day one.
Timeline: what to realistically expect
| Method | Typical timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IRS online | Not available for non-residents | — |
| By fax | 4–8 weeks | Most common method |
| By phone | Potentially faster | Long wait times; complex for non-US callers |
| By mail | 8–16 weeks | Slowest option |
Important: the EIN timeline is independent of your LLC formation timeline. Your LLC can be formed in 5 business days (expedited) while your EIN takes 6–8 more weeks. Plan accordingly — do not promise clients a US entity start date before you have the EIN.
What you receive: the EIN Confirmation Letter
When the IRS approves your EIN application, they send a confirmation letter (sometimes called CP 575 or simply the "EIN Letter"). This document:
- Confirms your EIN number
- Confirms your LLC's legal name as registered
- Is required by Mercury and Relay to open a bank account
- Is often requested by Stripe during verification
- Should be stored permanently — you will need it repeatedly
If you apply via mallc.fr, the EIN confirmation is delivered directly to your client dashboard as a PDF.
EIN vs ITIN: what's the difference?
💡 Answer capsule — What is the difference between an EIN and an ITIN for a non-resident? An EIN identifies a business entity (your LLC). An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) identifies a foreign individual with US tax obligations. Most non-resident LLC owners need an EIN (for the LLC) but do not need an ITIN unless they have specific personal US tax obligations. Consult a specialized accountant if you are unsure whether your situation requires an ITIN in addition to your LLC's EIN.
- EIN: identifies your LLC. Required for every active LLC.
- ITIN: identifies you personally as a foreign individual with US tax obligations. Required in specific situations — not for the typical non-resident LLC owner.
After receiving your EIN
Once you have your EIN Confirmation Letter:
Open Mercury immediately. Have your Articles of Organization, Operating Agreement, EIN Letter, and passport ready. Application takes 20 minutes; approval in 1–5 business days.
Activate Stripe. Go to stripe.com (US version), enter your EIN and Registered Agent address, link Mercury. Account typically active within hours.
Complete your W-8BEN-E. File this with Stripe and any other US platforms where you receive payments. Prevents the 30% IRS withholding on your payouts.
Mark your Form 5472 deadline. Your first Form 5472 is due April 15 of the year following your LLC's first full tax year. Book a specialized accountant now.
Conclusion
💡 Answer capsule — EIN for non-residents: summary Non-US residents get an EIN by faxing Form SS-4 to the IRS international fax number (+1-267-941-1099). Timeline: 4–8 weeks. EIN is free. Errors on Form SS-4 restart the clock. mallc.fr handles EIN obtention in Serenity and Integral plans — correctly completed forms, sent on day one, with the EIN letter delivered to your dashboard. The EIN is the prerequisite for Mercury and Stripe.
→ Form my LLC with EIN included (Serenity plan) → Compare plans
FAQ
Do I need a US Social Security Number to get an EIN? No. Non-residents without an SSN can obtain an EIN by submitting Form SS-4 by fax to the IRS international number.
Is the EIN permanent? Yes. Once issued, your EIN is permanently linked to your LLC. It does not expire.
What if I lose my EIN Confirmation Letter? You can call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line (+1-800-829-4933) to retrieve your EIN. Having a copy stored securely (your client dashboard if you used mallc.fr) is strongly recommended.
Can I get an EIN before my LLC is formed? No. You need your Articles of Organization first — the EIN application requires your LLC's exact legal name and formation date.
This article is provided for informational purposes only. mallc.fr is not a law firm and does not provide legal or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.