What is an EIN? How a business gets one, including from abroad

An EIN is a US company's tax ID. Almost every bank and payment provider asks for it. Here is how to get one, including when you have no SSN.

William Sunjo M.Operations and compliance editor

Published: 21 May 2026
Reading time: 2 min read

"What is an ein number for a business" is one of the first searches after forming a US company. The EIN is the company's tax ID, and almost nothing financial happens without it: the bank asks for it, Stripe asks for it, US clients ask for it.

What an EIN is

An Employer Identification Number is a nine-digit number the IRS assigns to a business, formatted like 12-3456789. Despite the name, you do not need employees to get one. It identifies the business to the IRS the way an SSN identifies a person.

Who needs one

Corporations and multi-member LLCs: always.
Single-member LLCs: if they have employees or file certain returns. Most get one anyway because banks require it.
Foreign-owned single-member LLCs: yes, because they must file Form 5472 every year. See Form 5472 explained.

How to apply

Route	Who can use it	Timing
Online at irs.gov	Responsible party with an SSN or ITIN	Immediate
Fax Form SS-4	Anyone	Typically a few business days
Mail Form SS-4	Anyone	Several weeks
Phone (international applicants)	No legal residence, office or place of business in the US	During the call

The IRS charges nothing for an EIN. Formation services that charge for one are charging for preparing the form.

Applying without an SSN

Most non-resident founders have no SSN or ITIN, so the online route is closed. Complete Form SS-4, leaving the SSN field as the instructions direct for foreign applicants, and fax it. The US LLC guide walks through the order: form the LLC, get the EIN, then open the account.

The EIN letter

When the IRS issues the number it sends notice CP 575. Keep it: banks and providers often ask for it. If it is lost, call the IRS business line to request a 147C letter, which confirms the EIN and the name it belongs to.

What you use it for

Opening a business account. See business account without an SSN.
Filing federal returns, including Form 5472 for foreign-owned LLCs.
Giving clients and platforms your tax details.
Payroll, if you hire in the US.

On Rivet

Rivet asks a US company for its EIN letter during verification, along with its formation documents and ID for each owner of 25% or more. Owners can live outside the US. The KYB documents guide lists everything, and Bank accounts shows the USD details the company gets.

Questions people ask

What is an EIN number for a business?

It is the business's federal tax identification number, issued by the IRS. Companies use it on tax returns, to open bank accounts, to hire employees and to give clients and payment platforms their tax details.

Can a non-US resident get an EIN?

Yes. A US company owned by a non-resident can get an EIN. Without an SSN or ITIN, the responsible party applies with Form SS-4 by fax or mail. Applicants with no legal residence, office or place of business in the US can also apply by phone through the IRS international line.

What is an EIN letter?

The IRS confirmation of your EIN. When the number is first issued, the IRS sends notice CP 575. A replacement verification letter is called a 147C. Banks and providers often ask for one of these.

Does a single-member LLC need an EIN?

Not always for income tax, because a single-member LLC can use its owner's number. In practice, most need one anyway: banks ask for it, and a foreign-owned single-member LLC must file Form 5472, which requires an EIN.

Sources

Written by

William Sunjo M.

Operations and compliance editor

William covers what happens once a company starts moving money: getting the business verified, paying contractors and suppliers abroad, and keeping card spend under control. William writes for the founder or finance lead who has to make it work this week, and links every rule cited to the text it comes from.