What is an EIN and why your LLC is useless without it
The EIN is your LLC's federal tax ID. Without it there's no bank, no Stripe and no filings. Here's how to get one as a non-resident, no SSN needed.
Forming the LLC is only half the job. The other half, the one that turns a piece of paper into an operating company, is called the EIN.
What the EIN is
The EIN (Employer Identification Number) is the tax ID the IRS assigns to your company. Nine digits that identify your LLC to banks, payment processors and the IRS itself.
What you need it for
Without an EIN, your LLC can do almost nothing:
- Open a bank account. Mercury, Relay and the rest always require it.
- Activate Stripe or PayPal Business. Essential to get paid.
- File returns. Your LLC's annual informational filings are made under the EIN.
- Sign W-8/W-9 forms. The forms American clients and platforms will ask you for.
Can I get one without an SSN?
Yes. This is the point that causes the most confusion. You do not need a Social Security Number or ITIN to get your LLC's EIN. The non-resident process is done by filing Form SS-4 with the IRS, by fax or mail, and it requires knowing exactly how to fill it in so it doesn't get rejected.
The usual timeline for non-residents is 2 to 4 weeks, depending on IRS workload.
The most expensive mistake
Every month we see LLCs formed through ultra-cheap services that have spent months waiting on a badly filed EIN application. The result is always the same, a company that exists but can't get paid.
If you're setting up your LLC, make sure the EIN is included and that whoever files it knows the non-resident process. In our full package it's always included, with follow-up until the number is in your hands.