Get an EIN without an SSN: US foreign founders
Michel Myara is co-founder and product designer at looch, where he designs the tools small businesses use to get paid, manage spend, and run their books.
Yes, you can get an EIN without an SSN. The IRS online tool blocks you if you do not have one, but there is a documented alternative: Form SS-4 submitted by fax or phone to the IRS. This post maps both paths side by side and shows exactly what to do on each one.
The IRS is the only source that matters here. Every number, hour, and timeline below is cited to irs.gov, and the IRS can change its contact details, so confirm them on irs.gov before you act.
What is an EIN and who needs one
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a nine-digit federal tax ID for a business entity. It is not a personal ID. Every US business entity needs one to open a bank account, pay taxes, and work with payment processors like Stripe or PayPal. The IRS issues EINs for free: "You can get an EIN for free directly from the IRS in minutes," and the IRS warns "you never have to pay a fee for an EIN."
Source: IRS, Employer Identification Number
EIN vs ITIN: They are not the same thing
This is the single biggest source of confusion for international founders.
An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is a personal tax ID for individuals who are not eligible for an SSN but have US tax obligations. An EIN identifies a business entity.
You do not need an ITIN to get an EIN. You do not need to obtain an ITIN first, and you do not need to apply for one before filing Form SS-4. Getting an EIN does not give you an ITIN.
Getting an EIN also does not make you a US tax resident. The IRS decides individual tax residency by the green card test or the substantial presence test, not by whether your business holds an EIN. See IRS, Determining an individual's tax residency status.
These are separate IDs that serve different purposes. Clear that up before you read anything else.
Path A: You have an SSN or ITIN (the fast path)
This applies to US citizens, US residents, and non-residents who have previously obtained an ITIN.
The responsible party (typically the sole owner or primary officer) enters their SSN or ITIN on Form SS-4 line 7b. That unlocks two options:
Online tool. The IRS EIN online application issues the EIN immediately on completion. Per irs.gov, the online application is open Monday to Friday 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. ET (next day), Saturday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, and Sunday 6 p.m. to midnight ET. The application is at irs.gov.
Domestic fax. Fax Form SS-4 to 855-641-6935 (the IRS domestic Fax-TIN line for the 50 states and DC). Per the Form SS-4 instructions, you receive your EIN by fax generally within 4 business days.
Phone. Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax line at 800-829-4933, open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. The IRS representative can issue the EIN during the call.
Path B: No SSN, no ITIN (the international applicant path)
This applies to non-resident founders of US entities who have never obtained an SSN or ITIN and are not currently eligible for one.
Why the IRS online tool blocks you
The online tool requires the responsible party to have an SSN or ITIN. Without one, the tool cannot proceed. This is a system requirement, not a policy against non-residents. International founders have a fully documented alternative path: applying by fax or phone with Form SS-4.
Form SS-4 and line 7b
Form SS-4 line 7b asks for the responsible party's SSN, ITIN, or EIN. If the responsible party does not have and is ineligible to obtain an SSN or ITIN, the IRS Form SS-4 Instructions (Rev. December 2025) say to "enter 'foreign' or N/A on line 7b."
The IRS also requires the responsible party to be a natural person, not another entity. See IRS guidance on Responsible Parties and Nominees.
Fax method
Fax the completed Form SS-4 to:
- 855-215-1627 if faxing from within the US
- 304-707-9471 if faxing from outside the US
Both are the IRS fax lines for applicants with no legal residence, principal place of business, or principal office in the US. Per the Form SS-4 instructions, you receive your EIN by fax generally within 4 business days.
Phone method
Call the IRS at 267-941-1099, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, to obtain an EIN. Note: this is not a toll-free number. An IRS representative takes the Form SS-4 information over the phone and issues the EIN during the call.
What you receive: The CP-575
When the IRS processes the EIN application, it issues a CP-575 EIN Confirmation Letter. This is the official IRS confirmation of your EIN. Keep the original. Banks, registered agents, and state agencies may ask for it. It is not replaceable through an online portal, though you can request a 147C letter from the IRS if the CP-575 is lost.
Side-by-side comparison
| Path A: have SSN or ITIN | Path B: no SSN, no ITIN | |
|---|---|---|
| IRS online tool | Yes, EIN issued immediately | No, tool requires SSN or ITIN |
| Form SS-4 line 7b | Enter SSN or ITIN | Enter "foreign" or N/A |
| Fax to | 855-641-6935 (domestic) | 855-215-1627 (from US) / 304-707-9471 (from outside US) |
| Fax turnaround | Generally within 4 business days | Generally within 4 business days |
| Phone | 800-829-4933 (Business and Specialty Tax line) | 267-941-1099 (not toll-free) |
| Phone turnaround | Same-call issuance | Same-call issuance |
| IRS cost | Free | Free |
| Confirmation | CP-575 | CP-575 |
IRS contact information can change. Verify all phone and fax numbers against irs.gov before you act.
Common mistakes that delay your EIN
- Illegible or incomplete Form SS-4. The IRS rejects it without contacting you. You find out when nothing arrives.
- Wrong fax number. The domestic and international lines are different. Sending to the domestic line from outside the US will not work.
- Missing signature. The form must be signed by the responsible party.
- Listing an entity as the responsible party. The IRS requires a natural person. An LLC or corporation cannot be the responsible party.
- Applying before the entity is formed. The business must exist before you apply for its EIN.
How looch handles both paths for you
looch Start obtains your EIN as part of the formation package, for $249 all-in with no upsells. That fee includes state filing, the EIN, and your first year of virtual office service. You provide your details. looch determines which path applies and handles Form SS-4 and the IRS submission, even if you have no SSN or ITIN.
- If you have an SSN or ITIN, the turnaround is fast.
- If you do not, it typically takes about 4 days.
looch delivers the EIN the moment it is ready and surfaces the official IRS CP-575 EIN Confirmation Letter through the in-app virtual office. You do not touch a fax machine.
This works for Delaware C corp, Delaware LLC, Wyoming LLC, and Florida LLC formation, all in the same flow. If you are forming a Delaware C corporation, EIN acquisition is part of the same looch Start process.
After you have your EIN
Your EIN unlocks: a US business bank account, payment processors (Stripe, PayPal, Amazon Seller Central), state tax registrations, and the ability to hire employees or contractors.
One timing note: even after the IRS issues your EIN, the IRS says to wait up to 2 weeks before you can e-file a tax return, make electronic tax deposits and payments, or pass a TIN Matching Program check. Your EIN is active immediately for banking and processor applications. The delay only applies to certain IRS electronic systems.
Sources: IRS Form SS-4 Instructions (Rev. December 2025), IRS, Apply for an Employer Identification Number online, IRS, Employer Identification Number, IRS, Responsible Parties and Nominees.
