How to Get an EIN Without an SSN or ITIN in 2026

Short answer: yes. An international founder can obtain an Employer Identification Number without having a U.S. Social Security Number or ITIN when the entity and responsible-party facts allow it. If the applicant has no legal residence, principal place of business, or principal office or agency in the United States or U.S. territories, the IRS says the online EIN application cannot be used; international applicants can instead apply by telephone, fax, or mail using Form SS-4.

The EIN is a federal tax identification number for the business. It is commonly requested by banks, payment processors, payroll providers, tax professionals, and other business platforms, but it does not create a company, grant immigration status, or guarantee approval for a financial account.

If you are still deciding how to form the company, start with our non-US resident U.S. business guide or visit the Small Business hub.

What is an EIN?

An Employer Identification Number is a nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service for federal tax administration. Businesses use it on tax filings and often provide it to financial institutions and other service providers.

An EIN is not the same as an SSN or ITIN. An SSN identifies an individual for Social Security and tax purposes, while an ITIN is an IRS tax-processing number issued to certain individuals who are not eligible for an SSN. The EIN identifies the business or other entity.

Having an EIN does not by itself prove that the owner owes U.S. income tax, and it does not replace state registration, licenses, or other tax accounts that may be required.

Can you get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN?

For many foreign-owned U.S. entities, yes. The key issue is how Form SS-4 is completed and whether the responsible party has a U.S. taxpayer identification number.

The IRS instructions recognize international applicants whose principal place of business is outside the United States. Those applicants may use the international telephone process or submit Form SS-4 by fax or mail.

Do not enter a made-up SSN, ITIN, or other number to force the online system to accept an application. Use the application method that matches the real facts.

Why many international founders cannot use the online EIN application

The IRS online EIN application is intended for applicants with a principal business, office, agency, or legal residence in the United States or U.S. territories. The current Form SS-4 instructions say that if you have none of those U.S. connections, you cannot use the online application.

This is why a newly formed U.S. LLC owned and operated by someone living abroad may need to use the international process even though the company itself was created under U.S. state law.

A formation service may offer to handle the EIN application for a fee, but the IRS itself does not charge a government fee to issue an EIN.

Option 1: Apply by telephone as an international applicant

The IRS currently allows international applicants to apply by telephone at 267-941-1099. The published hours are Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern time, and the number is not toll-free.

The caller must be authorized to receive the EIN and answer questions about Form SS-4. The IRS recommends completing Form SS-4 before calling so the answers are organized and consistent.

If an IRS representative requests it, the signed Form SS-4 may need to be sent after the call. Operational details can change, so verify the current number and hours on IRS.gov immediately before calling.

Option 2: Apply by fax

International applicants can also fax Form SS-4. The IRS currently publishes fax 855-215-1627 for applicants outside the 50 states and District of Columbia when sending from within the United States, and 304-707-9471 when faxing from outside the United States.

The IRS says fax applications can generally receive an EIN by fax in about four business days when a return fax number is provided, although processing delays are possible.

Keep the transmission confirmation and a copy of the exact signed form you sent. If the IRS requests clarification, those records make it easier to explain what was originally submitted.

Option 3: Apply by mail

Applicants without a U.S. legal residence, principal place of business, or principal office or agency can mail Form SS-4 to Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN International Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999.

The IRS advises allowing several weeks for a mailed application. Mail is therefore usually slower than fax or the international telephone route.

Use a trackable mailing method where practical and retain a complete copy of the signed application for the company records.

How to complete Form SS-4 carefully

Use the exact legal name shown on the company formation document. Enter the trade name only if the business actually uses one. Make sure the mailing address is reliable because the IRS may send the EIN notice and other correspondence there.

The responsible party is generally the person who ultimately owns or controls the entity or exercises effective control. Complex ownership structures can require professional advice because the responsible-party rules are not simply a choice of whichever person is most convenient.

For a foreign responsible party who does not have and is not eligible to obtain an SSN or ITIN, follow the current Form SS-4 instructions for the taxpayer-identification-number field rather than inventing a number.

The reason for applying should match the facts, such as starting a new business, banking purposes where appropriate, hiring employees, or another listed reason.

What documents should you keep with the EIN record?

Keep the approved formation document, operating agreement or corporate records, the exact Form SS-4 submitted, the EIN assignment notice or number provided by the IRS, and any fax or mail proof.

Financial institutions may ask for evidence of the EIN, ownership, company address, and business activity. Keeping one organized company-record folder prevents the founder from rebuilding the file every time a provider asks for verification.

If you later change the business address or responsible party, review the IRS procedure for updating the record rather than submitting a second EIN application for the same entity without a valid reason.

Common mistakes that slow down EIN applications

Using the online application when the applicant does not meet the online eligibility rules can waste time. Other common errors include inconsistent company names, incomplete responsible-party information, unsigned forms, unreliable mailing addresses, and duplicate applications.

Do not apply for several EINs for the same company because one response seems slow. Duplicate records can create more administrative work later.

If a formation service is handling the application, ask for a copy of the completed Form SS-4 before submission so you know exactly what information is being given to the IRS.

What comes after the EIN?

An EIN is usually one step in a broader setup sequence. The company may still need a state tax account, sales-tax registration, payroll registration, business licenses, or foreign qualification in another state depending on activity.

For a foreign-owned single-member U.S. LLC, the next important compliance topic is often Form 5472 and the pro forma Form 1120.

When banking is next, our Mercury vs Wise Business comparison explains the separate identity, address, and business-verification requirements.

Bottom line

A non-US founder does not necessarily need an SSN or ITIN just to obtain an EIN. The correct application route depends on the applicant’s residence, principal place of business, responsible-party information, and other facts.

Use the current IRS Form SS-4 instructions, keep a complete copy of the application, and do not confuse the EIN with company formation, banking approval, or a determination of U.S. tax liability.