Cost Guide
EIN Application Fee
The IRS charges $0 for EIN applications. No government fee, filing fee, or processing fee exists. Learn what third-party services actually charge for.
There is no government fee for an EIN application. The IRS issues EINs at zero cost through fax, phone, and mail. No filing fee. No processing fee. No application fee. Third-party services like ein.so charge $49 for Form SS-4 preparation and filing labor — not for the EIN itself. The number is always free.
The Employer Identification Number is one of the few US business requirements that costs nothing. The IRS states plainly that applying for an EIN is a free service. Any "EIN application fee" you see online is a service charge for completing and submitting Form SS-4, not a payment to the government. This page explains where the $0 IRS cost ends, where legitimate service fees begin, and why non-residents pay for filing help rather than for the EIN.
| Cost Item | Who Charges | Amount | Recurring? |
|---|---|---|---|
| EIN from the IRS | IRS | $0 | No |
| ein.so Standard service | ein.so | $49 | No (one-time) |
| ein.so Express service | ein.so | $97 | No (one-time) |
| IRS processing fee | Nobody | $0 | N/A |
| State "EIN" fee | Nobody | $0 | N/A |
No Fee
What Is the IRS EIN Application Fee?
The IRS EIN application fee is $0. The Internal Revenue Service does not charge any fee for an EIN through any method. The IRS website states: "Applying for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a free service offered by the Internal Revenue Service."
This applies to every application method without exception.
| Method | Government Fee | Who Can Use It | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | $0 | SSN holders only | Instant |
| Fax | $0 | Anyone, incl. non-residents | 4-7 business days |
| Phone | $0 | International applicants | Same day (call 267-941-1099) |
| $0 | Anyone | 4-6 weeks |
Why Do People Think a Filing Fee Exists?
A filing fee does not exist for an EIN. Some websites use language like "IRS filing fee" or "government processing fee" to justify charges that are actually their own service fees. These government fees do not exist. The IRS processes every EIN application at no cost to the applicant.
The confusion grows because most other business steps do cost money. LLC formation carries a state fee. A registered agent carries a yearly fee. The EIN is the exception. For the full picture, see EIN cost and how to get an EIN.
Service Fees
What Do Third-Party Services Charge For?
Third-party EIN services charge a service fee for labor, not for the EIN. ein.so charges $49 for Standard and $97 for Express. This pays for accurate Form SS-4 preparation and IRS fax submission, while the EIN remains free.
The distinction matters because the fee buys time and accuracy, not the number itself.
What the ein.so service fee covers:
- Form SS-4 completion across all required fields with IRS-specific formatting
- Passport-based Line 7b entry for applicants without an SSN
- Fax submission to the IRS at 855-215-1627
- Follow-up if the IRS flags an issue
- EIN delivery by email with the CP 575 assignment letter
What the ein.so service fee does NOT cover:
- The EIN itself, which is always free from the IRS
- Any government fee, because none exists
- Any IRS processing fee, because none exists
ein.so EIN Pricing
| Plan | Price | Processing Time | What's Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $49 | 4-7 business days | SS-4 prep + IRS fax + email delivery |
| Express | $97 | 2-3 business days | Priority handling + faster delivery |
Both plans produce the same EIN from the same IRS. The difference is processing priority, not the result. Apply now or read the full EIN processing time breakdown.
DIY vs Service
Should You Pay an EIN Fee or Apply for Free?
You can apply for free, but non-residents face real obstacles that the $49 ein.so fee removes. The free IRS online tool requires an SSN. Non-residents without an SSN must fax Form SS-4, where formatting errors cause silent rejections and weeks of delay.
The choice depends on whether you have an SSN and how much risk you accept.
DIY Online
DIY Fax
DIY Phone
ein.so Service
The fee buys accuracy and avoids the most common rejection cause for non-residents: malformed international addresses that the IRS rejects without explanation. See the EIN for non-residents guide for the full non-resident path.
Step-by-Step
How Does the EIN Filing Process Work for the Fee?
The EIN filing process turns a $49 service fee into a delivered EIN in 4-7 business days. ein.so prepares Form SS-4 using your passport number, faxes it to the IRS at 855-215-1627, and emails your EIN assignment letter once the IRS responds.
Provide Your Details
ein.so Completes Form SS-4
Fax Submission to the IRS
Receive Your EIN by Email
The fee never includes a markup on the EIN itself, because the IRS provides the number free. You pay for the preparation, the fax, and the guarantee that your SS-4 reaches the IRS in an accepted format. Read the SS-4 form guide for the full field-by-field reference.
Comparison
How Do EIN Fees Compare to Other Business Fees?
EIN fees do not exist at the government level, unlike state and compliance fees that are mandatory. The EIN is genuinely free from the IRS, while LLC formation, registered agents, and certain filings carry real costs. Understanding the difference prevents overpaying.
| Fee Type | Amount | Who Charges It | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| EIN Application (IRS) | $0 | IRS | Free, but needed for a business |
| ein.so EIN service | $49-$97 | ein.so | Optional (filing help) |
| LLC Formation | Varies by state | State | Yes, to form an LLC |
| Registered Agent | Yearly fee | Private companies | Yes for non-residents |
| BOI Filing | $0 | FinCEN | Required for most LLCs |
| Form 5472 | $0 (self) or CPA fee | IRS / CPA | Required for foreign-owned LLCs |
| ein.so ITIN service | $197-$297 | ein.so | Optional (if you need an ITIN) |
The EIN sits in the "free from government" column. The ein.so $49 fee buys filing labor, not the number. State formation fees vary, so confirm the exact amount with your formation provider. Tax filing specifics for Form 5472 and a $25,000 non-filing penalty should be reviewed with a CPA, since ein.so does not give tax advice.
Annual Costs
What Ongoing Fees Relate to the EIN?
No ongoing fees relate to the EIN itself, because an EIN never expires and is never renewed. The $49 ein.so fee is a one-time charge. Recurring costs come from other obligations that surround your US LLC, not from the EIN.
The EIN is permanent once issued, so budget for the surrounding obligations rather than the number.
EIN Renewal
Registered Agent
Annual Report
Form 5472 Filing
The only EIN-related cost you ever pay is the one-time filing service, if you choose to use one. Everything recurring belongs to the LLC, the state, or annual tax compliance. Review BOI filing and confirm tax duties with a CPA.
Next Steps
What to Do After You Pay Your EIN Fee
- Apply for your EIN — $49 Standard (4-7 days) or $97 Express (2-3 days), one-time fee
- Open a US bank account — Mercury and Relay accept non-resident LLC owners
- File your BOI report — required for most LLCs, free at fincen.gov/boi
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Review the process — read how to get an EIN and the SS-4 form guide
Related cost and process guides: EIN cost | EIN processing time | EIN without SSN | EIN for non-residents.
The IRS EIN fee is $0. The ein.so service fee is $49. You pay only for the filing, never for the number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a government fee for an EIN?
No. The IRS does not charge any fee for EIN applications. The Employer Identification Number is free to obtain through all methods: online, fax, phone, and mail. There is no filing fee, processing fee, or application fee from the government. The EIN itself always costs $0.
Why do some websites show an EIN application fee?
Websites that show an EIN fee charge for their service, not a government fee. They prepare Form SS-4 and submit it to the IRS for you. Honest services disclose that the IRS fee is $0 and their charge covers labor. ein.so charges $49 Standard and discloses the $0 IRS cost clearly.
How much does ein.so charge for an EIN?
ein.so charges $49 for Standard EIN processing (4-7 business days) and $97 for Express processing (2-3 business days). This covers Form SS-4 preparation, IRS fax submission to 855-215-1627, and EIN delivery by email. The EIN itself is free from the IRS. You pay only for the filing service.
Can I avoid all EIN fees and apply for free?
Yes. Apply directly through the IRS: online (requires an SSN, instant), by fax (Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627, 4-7 days), by phone (267-941-1099, same day), or by mail (4-6 weeks). All IRS methods cost $0. Non-residents without an SSN cannot use the online tool and must fax Form SS-4.
Do state EIN fees exist?
No. There is no such thing as a state EIN fee. The EIN is a federal number from the IRS. States issue their own tax registration numbers through separate processes. State business registration and LLC formation fees vary by state, but they are unrelated to the federal EIN, which is always free.
Does a non-resident pay extra for an EIN?
No. The IRS charges non-residents and US citizens the same EIN fee: $0. Non-residents without an SSN cannot use the free online tool and must fax Form SS-4 with a passport number on Line 7b. ein.so charges $49 to prepare and fax that form, which is the same service cost for any applicant.
Is the ein.so fee a one-time charge or recurring?
The ein.so EIN fee is a one-time charge: $49 Standard or $97 Express. An EIN never expires and is never renewed, so there is no recurring EIN cost. Other business obligations like a registered agent or annual reports carry separate yearly fees that are unrelated to the EIN.
What is the difference between the $49 and $97 ein.so plans?
The only difference is processing priority. Standard ($49) delivers your EIN in 4-7 business days. Express ($97) delivers it in 2-3 business days with priority handling. Both plans produce the same EIN from the same IRS through the same Form SS-4 fax. The number is identical regardless of plan.
Are there hidden EIN fees with ein.so?
No. ein.so charges $49 Standard or $97 Express as a flat fee with no add-ons for the EIN service. The IRS adds $0. Separate items like an ITIN ($197 standard / $297 express) are priced clearly and ordered only if you need them. The EIN price is the full price for the EIN service.
Need an EIN? We Handle Everything.
Non-US resident? We file Form SS-4 with the IRS and deliver your EIN by email. Just $49.
Get My EIN for $49