How to get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is the company's federal tax ID — not a personal number. Because it belongs to the business, the IRS issues one even when the owner has no US Social Security Number and no ITIN. What changes for a foreign founder is the method: the IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN or ITIN to identify the responsible party, so non-residents simply use a different route — fax or mail on Form SS-4, or the IRS international phone line.

The single most important detail is line 7b of Form SS-4, which asks for the "SSN, ITIN, or EIN" of the responsible party. A foreign responsible party with none of those writes the word "Foreign" in that box. The IRS accepts this — it is the standard, documented way millions of non-resident-owned LLCs obtain their EIN.

Three ways to apply (and which works without an SSN)

There are three EIN application methods. Only one — online — is blocked for people without an SSN or ITIN. The other two are exactly what foreign founders use.

For most foreign founders, fax is the sweet spot: faster than mail, no SSN required, and you receive your EIN confirmation (CP 575 / 147C) back by return fax in roughly four business days.

Applying for an EIN over the phone

International applicants can also call the IRS to apply for an EIN over the phone. The IRS operates a dedicated international EIN line (not toll-free, +1 267 941 1099) for applicants whose principal business is outside the United States. The person who calls should be authorised to receive the EIN and answer the questions on Form SS-4, so fill the form in first and read from it. In many cases the EIN is issued on the same call. Phone availability and hours change, so the fax route remains the most reliable for getting it in writing.

Documents and details you need

Getting an EIN from outside the US is mostly about completing Form SS-4 correctly. For a foreign-owned single-member LLC you need:

• Legal company name and US registered address — exactly as filed with the state (e.g. your Wyoming LLC).
• Responsible party name and country — the individual who controls the LLC; their foreign address is fine.
• Line 7b = "Foreign" — write this where it asks for SSN/ITIN/EIN of the responsible party.
• Entity type and reason for applying — typically "started new business" or "banking purposes".
• A fax number or mailing address to receive the EIN confirmation letter.

You do not attach a passport or ITIN to the SS-4 itself. The IRS may, in some cases, phone the responsible party to confirm identity, which is one more reason the international phone line is useful.

Responsible party rules (the part people miss)

Every EIN must name a single responsible party — a real person who ultimately owns or controls the entity, not another company. There is one hard limit set by the IRS: a responsible party can obtain only one EIN per day. If you are setting up several entities, you cannot batch them through the same person on the same day. The responsible party must also be kept current with the IRS using Form 8822-B whenever it changes.

The faster path: a company whose EIN already exists

Everything above works — but it costs you days or weeks before you can bank or take a payment. There is a way to skip the entire SS-4 process: buy a ready-made Wyoming LLC that already has its EIN issued. The company exists, the federal tax ID is already in place, and ownership transfers into your name within 24 hours. No fax to the IRS, no four-week wait, no line 7b — it is already done.