You do not need a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for a US company. If you are a non-US founder, you can apply directly to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by submitting Form SS-4. The key is identifying the correct responsible party, writing “Foreign” in box 7b, and using the international fax or mailing address.
What an EIN Is—and Why You Need One
An EIN is a nine-digit federal tax identification number issued by the IRS. It identifies your company for federal tax and reporting purposes. It does not give you US immigration status, create personal tax residency, or replace an SSN or ITIN.
Your company will generally need an EIN to:
- Open a US business bank or fintech account with providers such as Mercury.
- Complete tax filings and make federal tax elections.
- Hire employees or use US payroll services.
- Apply for payment processing through Stripe or similar providers.
- Provide Form W-9 when appropriate.
- Separate the company’s identity from your personal identity.
The IRS does not charge a fee for an EIN. Be cautious with websites that present themselves as government services and charge large “EIN filing” fees. A service provider may charge for preparing, submitting, and monitoring the application, but the government fee itself is $0.
Can You Get an EIN Without an SSN?
Yes. A foreign individual who is not eligible for an SSN or ITIN can still be the responsible party for a US company. This is common for foreign-owned Delaware LLCs and corporations.
The IRS online EIN application is usually not practical for these founders because it requires the responsible party to have a valid SSN or ITIN and imposes other eligibility restrictions. Instead, apply using Form SS-4 by fax or mail.
For a foreign responsible party without a US taxpayer identification number, enter “Foreign” in box 7b. Do not invent a number, use a nominee’s SSN, enter the registered agent’s EIN, or submit another person’s ITIN merely to pass validation.
What “Responsible Party” Means for Foreign Owners
The responsible party is the individual who ultimately owns or controls the entity, or who exercises ultimate effective control over it. For a single-member LLC, this is usually the individual owner. For a multi-member LLC or corporation, it is generally the founder or executive with ultimate authority over the company’s funds and decisions.
The responsible party must normally be a natural person, not another company. A registered agent, formation service, lawyer, or accountant should not be listed simply because they prepared your documents. A nominee with temporary or limited authority is also not the true responsible party.
If ownership or control later changes, the company may need to report the new responsible party to the IRS using Form 8822-B, generally within 60 days. Choosing the correct person on the original SS-4 helps prevent mismatches during banking, Stripe onboarding, and tax compliance.
How to Complete Form SS-4 Without an SSN
1. Match the legal company record
In box 1, enter the entity’s exact legal name as shown on its Certificate of Formation or Certificate of Incorporation. Put a trade name in box 2 only if the company actually uses one. Avoid abbreviations or punctuation that conflict with the formation document.
2. Provide a reliable mailing address
Complete boxes 4a–5b with an address where IRS correspondence can be received. A foreign address is permitted. Write the city, province or state, postal code, and country clearly; do not force a foreign address into a US-only format.
3. Identify the responsible party
Enter the responsible party’s full legal name in box 7a. In box 7b, write “Foreign” if that person has no SSN or ITIN. Do not leave 7b blank unless the IRS instructions applicable to your situation specifically permit it.
4. Select the correct entity type
In box 8a, indicate whether the applicant is an LLC. If yes, enter the number of members in box 8b and whether the LLC was organized in the United States in box 8c. In box 9a, select the appropriate legal category. A corporation should not identify itself as an LLC, and an LLC should not casually select a tax classification without understanding the consequences.
5. State the reason and business activity
For a newly formed company, box 10 is commonly marked “Started new business,” followed by a short description. Enter the formation date in box 11. Complete boxes 16 and 17 with a specific activity such as “software development,” “management consulting,” or “online retail,” rather than vague wording such as “internet business.”
6. Sign and date the application
The responsible party or another authorized person must sign Form SS-4. Add a daytime telephone number with the international country code. Review every field before submission and keep the signed form, fax confirmation, and formation documents together.
Form SS-4 Fax Numbers, Mailing Address, and Timelines
For applicants whose principal place of business, office, agency, or legal residence is outside the United States, the IRS instructions list these international submission details:
- Fax from within the United States: 855-215-1627
- Fax from outside the United States: 304-707-9471
- Mail: Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN International Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999, USA
Verify these details against the current IRS Form SS-4 page immediately before filing because the IRS can change addresses or fax numbers.
In 2026, plan for approximately 4–8 weeks by fax and 8–12 weeks by mail. These are practical planning ranges, not guaranteed IRS service levels. Fax is usually preferable because delivery can be documented and processing is often faster. Services such as eFax or Dropbox Fax can produce a transmission receipt, but confirm that all pages were delivered successfully.
Send only one application unless the IRS instructs you to resubmit. Faxing repeatedly or applying by both fax and mail can create duplicate records and slow resolution. If you have no response after the expected window, call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 from the US or the international EIN line listed in the current SS-4 instructions.
When a Third Party Designee Helps
The Third Party Designee section lets you authorize a named person to discuss this specific EIN application with the IRS and receive the EIN. This can help when you are outside the US, have limited overlap with IRS calling hours, or want a formation or tax professional to handle follow-up questions.
Authorization is limited. It does not make the designee the company’s responsible party and does not provide broad, permanent authority over the company’s tax matters. Enter the designee’s name, phone number, fax number, and a five-digit personal identification number, then ensure the form is properly signed.
A designee cannot fix inaccurate ownership information or guarantee faster processing. Use one when communication and monitoring are the problem—not as a substitute for a correctly prepared SS-4.
Common EIN Rejection and Delay Reasons
- Box 7b is blank or incorrect: Write “Foreign” when the responsible party has no SSN or ITIN.
- Wrong responsible party: Do not list the registered agent, nominee, or formation service merely for convenience.
- Name mismatch: The legal name must match the state formation record.
- Unsigned form: A typed name alone may not satisfy the signature requirement.
- Wrong entity details: Inconsistent answers in boxes 8a, 8b, 8c, and 9a can trigger manual review.
- Illegible fax: Low-resolution scans, cut-off pages, and handwriting can make the application unusable.
- Duplicate submissions: Multiple SS-4 applications can lead to duplicate EINs that require correction.
- Missing return fax number: Without reliable contact details, receiving the assignment notice can take longer.
Once approved, retain the IRS EIN assignment notice permanently. Banks and platforms may request it, and replacing it can take time. Also remember that an EIN alone does not guarantee approval from Mercury, Stripe, or another provider; they separately review ownership, address, business model, and compliance documents.
When to Work With Founder Portal
Consider Founder Portal when you want your US formation, EIN application, banking or Stripe preparation, and initial automation setup coordinated in one process—especially if you cannot easily follow up with the IRS from abroad.