EIN GUIDE

How to Apply for an EIN for an LLC

Applying for an EIN through the IRS is free and takes about 15 minutes online. U.S. residents with an SSN or ITIN receive their EIN instantly. Foreign founders without an SSN must use Form SS-4 by fax or phone. This guide focuses only on the application process — not what an EIN is or whether you need one.

Updated June 2026 9 min read

Direct Answer

Go to IRS.gov, select your entity type as "LLC," answer the questions, and your EIN is issued immediately as a downloadable PDF. The system is available Monday–Friday, 7 AM–10 PM Eastern. Applying is free. You must have a valid SSN or ITIN to use the online system. The requirement depends on whether your LLC exists legally in your state — form the LLC first.

Before You Apply: Checklist

Pre-Application Checklist

[ ] Your LLC is formed and approved by the state (Articles of Organization accepted)
[ ] You have your LLC's legal name exactly as registered
[ ] You have the LLC's principal business address
[ ] You know the number of LLC members (1 or more than 1)
[ ] You have a brief description of the LLC's primary business activity
[ ] The "responsible party" (you or another individual) has a valid SSN or ITIN
[ ] You are going to apply at IRS.gov — not a paid third-party site

Form the LLC First

The IRS requires your LLC to be a legally existing entity before it will assign an EIN. Do not apply for an EIN before your state has accepted and processed your Articles of Organization. In states with same-day processing (like Wyoming or Delaware online), you can often apply for the EIN the same day your LLC is formed.

Online Application: Step-by-Step

The IRS online EIN application is the fastest method. It is only available for applicants who have a valid U.S. SSN or ITIN.

Go to IRS.gov
Navigate to the IRS EIN Online Application page. Always verify the URL shows .gov in the domain. The system is available Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 10 PM Eastern Time.
Click "Apply Online Now"
This opens the official IRS EIN Assistant. The entire session must be completed in one sitting — the IRS system times out after 15 minutes of inactivity.
Select your entity type: "Limited Liability Company (LLC)"
Choose LLC from the list of entity types. Do not select "Sole Proprietor" or "Partnership" directly — those are different entity types.
Enter the number of members
The IRS will ask how many members (owners) the LLC has. Choose 1 for a single-member LLC or "More than 1" for a multi-member LLC. This affects which tax treatment questions appear.
Select the reason for applying
Most new LLCs choose "Started a new business." Other common reasons include "Banking purposes" or "Changed type of organization."
Enter the responsible party's information
The "responsible party" is the individual who controls the LLC's finances and operations. For most LLCs, this is the sole member or managing member. You must provide their:
- Legal name (as it appears on their Social Security card or ITIN documentation)
- SSN or ITIN
Enter the LLC's address and details
Provide the LLC's mailing address, the state where it was formed, and a brief description of the LLC's primary business activity (e.g., "consulting services," "retail sales," "software development").
Review all information
Carefully check every field before submitting. Common errors include the wrong LLC name spelling, wrong state of formation, or incorrect SSN. You cannot easily change information after submission.
Submit and download your EIN
After submission, your EIN is issued immediately. The confirmation screen shows your EIN and allows you to download the IRS EIN Confirmation Letter (CP 575). Download this letter immediately and save it securely. The IRS does not mail a duplicate CP 575 — if you lose it, you will need to call the IRS to verify your EIN.

What the Application Looks Like

The IRS application is a straightforward question-and-answer wizard. It takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete. You do not need to create an account or log in. The application runs entirely in your browser. At the end, you can download the EIN Confirmation Letter as a PDF.

Fax Application: Form SS-4

If you cannot use the online system — for example, if you are a foreign founder without an SSN or ITIN — you can submit IRS Form SS-4 by fax.

Form: Download Form SS-4 from IRS.gov
Fax number (U.S. applicants): 855-641-6935
Fax number (international applicants): 304-707-9471
Processing time: Approximately 4 business days
Cost: Free (fax charges may apply depending on your provider)

The IRS will fax back your EIN assignment to the fax number you provide on the form. Retain this fax as your EIN confirmation.

Mail Application: Form SS-4

Mailing Form SS-4 is the slowest method and is generally only necessary when faxing is not possible.

Form: IRS Form SS-4
Processing time: 4–5 weeks
Where to mail: See the IRS Where to File page for current mailing addresses by state or entity type

Foreign Founders: How to Get an EIN Without a U.S. SSN

Non-U.S. residents who form a U.S. LLC but do not have an SSN or ITIN cannot use the IRS online system. The correct path is:

Complete Form SS-4: Download and fill out the form. Write "Foreign-owned LLC" or a similar note in the business description.
Fax to the IRS international line: 304-707-9471. The IRS will fax back your EIN within approximately 4 business days.
Phone option: Foreign applicants may also call the IRS International Tax Line: +1 267-941-1099 (not a toll-free number). This is available Monday–Friday, 6 AM to 11 PM Eastern.

Note on Third-Party Filing Services for Foreign Founders

Third-party EIN filing services are occasionally used by foreign founders who need help navigating the Form SS-4 fax process. If you use one, research them carefully. The IRS never endorses private filing services, and the fee they charge is for their assistance — not for the EIN itself, which the IRS provides free of charge.

Application Method Comparison

Method	Who Can Use It	Processing Time	Cost	Best For
Online (IRS.gov)	U.S. residents with SSN or ITIN	Immediate	Free	Most LLC owners
Fax (Form SS-4)	Any applicant	~4 business days	Free (fax costs may apply)	Foreign founders; no SSN/ITIN
Mail (Form SS-4)	Any applicant	4–5 weeks	Free	Last resort only
Phone (international)	Non-U.S. applicants	Immediate (during call)	Free (international call rates apply)	Foreign founders who can't fax

After You Get Your EIN

Save your EIN Confirmation Letter (CP 575): Store it securely. This is your official proof of EIN assignment. You will need it when opening a business bank account.
Open a business bank account: Take your EIN confirmation letter and LLC formation documents to your bank of choice.
Register for state tax accounts: Your EIN is federal. Your state may also require a separate state employer ID, sales tax permit, or other registration depending on your business activities.
Update your W-9 template: Create or update your standard Form W-9 with your EIN so you're ready when clients request it.
Inform your accountant or bookkeeper: Make sure your tax professional has your EIN on file before your first quarterly estimate or annual filing is due.

EIN Application: Frequently Asked Questions

What is Form SS-4?

Form SS-4 is the IRS paper application for an EIN. You can fax or mail it instead of applying online. Online is faster for U.S. residents, but foreign founders without an SSN or ITIN must use Form SS-4 via fax or international phone.

What if I made a mistake on my EIN application?

If you notice an error immediately, close your browser and start over. If you already received the EIN with incorrect information, call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 to request a correction.

Can I apply for an EIN before my LLC is approved by the state?

No. The IRS requires the LLC to exist as a legal entity before you apply for an EIN. File your Articles of Organization with the state first. Wait for approval (or same-day confirmation if your state allows it), then apply for the EIN.

Is the EIN the same as a state tax ID?

No. An EIN is a federal identification number issued by the IRS. Many states also require a separate state tax ID number for things like state income tax, sales tax, or payroll tax. Your state tax agency's website will explain what is required in your state.

Can a foreign national without an SSN get an EIN for their LLC?

Yes. Foreign nationals who do not have a Social Security Number or ITIN cannot use the IRS online system. Instead, they must complete Form SS-4 and submit it by fax (approximately 4 business days processing) or by calling the IRS international EIN line. They do not need a U.S. SSN to get an EIN.

Do I need an EIN if my LLC has no income yet?

You do not need income before getting an EIN. You can apply immediately after forming your LLC. Getting the EIN early allows you to open a business bank account and complete W-9 forms for future clients.