Guide
EIN Application Form Guide
The EIN application form is IRS Form SS-4 (Application for Employer Identification Number). Free to file. Non-residents enter a passport number on Line 7b - no SSN needed. ein.so files it for $49.
Form SS-4 is the single federal form that creates an Employer Identification Number. There is no second form, no state version, and no separate non-resident form. Every US business, foreign or domestic, applies on the same SS-4. The form has 18 numbered lines on one page. The challenge for non-US residents is not the form itself. The challenge is the submission method, because the IRS online tool requires a Social Security Number that most non-residents do not have. This guide covers which form you need, every submission method, line-by-line entries for non-residents, related forms, and the after-EIN filings you must not miss.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Form name | Application for Employer Identification Number |
| Form number | SS-4 |
| Current version | Rev. December 2023 |
| Pages | 1 form page, 4 instruction pages |
| IRS cost | $0 |
| Download | irs.gov |
| Non-resident ID | Passport number (Line 7b) |
| IRS EIN fax | 855-215-1627 |
The Form
What Is the EIN Application Form?
The EIN application form is IRS Form SS-4. It is the only form the IRS accepts to issue an Employer Identification Number. The form is free, runs one page, and applies to every entity type from a single-member LLC to a corporation.
Form SS-4 collects the legal name of the entity, its mailing address, the responsible party, the entity type, the reason for applying, and the principal business activity. The IRS uses these fields to assign a nine-digit EIN in the format XX-XXXXXXX. The form never expires once filed, but the version you submit must be current. The IRS rejects outdated revisions.
| Form field group | What it captures |
|---|---|
| Lines 1-6 | Entity name, trade name, mailing and street address |
| Line 7a-7b | Responsible party name and identifier (passport for non-residents) |
| Lines 8-9 | Entity type (LLC, corporation, sole proprietor) |
| Line 10 | Reason for applying |
| Lines 11-17 | Dates, employees, and accounting details |
| Line 18 | Prior EIN check |
For a complete line-by-line walkthrough, read our SS-4 form guide. To see where the form fits in the full process, read how to get an EIN.
Submission
How Do You Submit the EIN Application Form?
You submit Form SS-4 four ways: online, by fax to 855-215-1627, by phone, or by mail. The online method is instant but requires an SSN. Non-residents without an SSN use the fax method, which takes 4-7 business days for a clean form.
The submission method decides your timeline and whether an SSN blocks you. Each path uses the same SS-4, so the form content does not change between methods. Only the speed and the SSN requirement change.
| Method | Speed | SSN required? | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Instant | Yes | $0 |
| Fax to 855-215-1627 | 4-7 business days | No | $0 |
| Phone | Same call | No (international only) | $0 |
| 4-6 weeks | No | $0 | |
| ein.so | 4-7 business days | No | $49 |
The fax method is the standard path for non-residents. You complete Form SS-4, fax it to 855-215-1627, and the IRS faxes back your EIN assignment letter. The phone option exists for international applicants but means costly international calls during US business hours. The mail option works but takes 4-6 weeks. ein.so files by fax and returns your EIN by email, so you skip the international call and the rejection risk. See EIN processing time for full timelines.
Non-Residents
How Do Non-Residents Complete the EIN Application Form?
Non-residents complete Form SS-4 by entering a passport number on Line 7b instead of an SSN. Line 7a holds the responsible party's full legal name. No SSN or ITIN is required. This single field blocks the online tool and routes non-residents to the fax method.
The IRS designed the online EIN tool around US identifiers, so it demands an SSN, ITIN, or existing EIN before it loads. Non-residents who have none of these cannot use the online tool. The fax method removes that wall because a fax operator processes the form by hand and accepts a passport number as valid identification.
Enter the entity name and address
Name the responsible party
Enter your passport number
Fax the form to the IRS
| SS-4 line | Non-resident entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 | Your US LLC or corporation name |
| Line 4 | Your foreign mailing address |
| Line 7a | Full name as printed on your passport |
| Line 7b | Your passport number (no SSN or ITIN) |
| Line 10 | Started new business |
| Line 16 | Principal activity (e.g., software, e-commerce) |
The most common rejection cause is a malformed foreign address that does not map to the SS-4 fields. ein.so reformats addresses to an IRS-accepted style before filing. Read EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents for the full path.
Cost
How Much Does the EIN Application Form Cost?
The EIN application form costs $0. The IRS charges no fee for Form SS-4 or for the EIN itself at any submission speed. The only cost is optional service help. ein.so charges $49 Standard or $97 Express to prepare and file the form for non-residents.
The IRS never charges for an EIN. Any site that charges a government fee is misleading you. What you pay a service buys is accuracy, correct foreign-address formatting, and a faster, rejection-free filing. A rejected SS-4 restarts the queue and adds weeks, so a clean first filing protects your timeline.
| Option | Price | Speed | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY fax to IRS | $0 | 4-7 business days | You complete and fax the form yourself |
| ein.so Standard | $49 | 4-7 business days | Prepared form, fax filing, EIN by email |
| ein.so Express | $97 | 2-3 business days | Priority preparation and faster delivery |
See the full breakdown on EIN cost. For non-residents who also need a personal tax ID, ein.so offers an ITIN service at $197 Standard or $297 Express. The EIN and ITIN are different numbers for different purposes.
Related Forms
What Other Forms Relate to the EIN Application?
Several IRS forms connect to the EIN, but only Form SS-4 creates it. Form W-7 applies for an ITIN. Form 5472 reports foreign-owned LLC transactions. Form 8822-B changes an EIN address. Form 2553 elects S-corporation status.
Each form serves a separate purpose. Confusing them delays your filings. The table below maps each form to its job so you file the right one.
| Form | Purpose | Who files it |
|---|---|---|
| SS-4 | EIN application | Every business needing an EIN |
| W-7 | ITIN application | Individuals needing a personal tax ID |
| 5472 | Foreign-owned LLC reporting | Foreign-owned single-member LLCs |
| 1120 (pro-forma) | Attached to Form 5472 | Foreign-owned single-member LLCs |
| 8822-B | EIN address or responsible-party change | Entities updating IRS records |
| 2553 | S-corporation election | Eligible LLCs and corporations |
The most important after-EIN form for non-residents is Form 5472. A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for missing it is $25,000. Read the Form 5472 guide and confirm your obligations with a CPA. ein.so files the EIN application and does not provide tax advice.
After Approval
What Do You Do After the EIN Application Is Approved?
After your EIN application is approved, you receive the IRS EIN assignment letter and can open a US bank account, accept payments, and meet annual filing duties. The EIN is the gateway to the US financial system for a foreign-owned business.
The assignment letter, often called the CP 575, is your proof of EIN. Save it. Banks and payment processors ask for it. The EIN itself never changes once assigned.
Open a US bank account
File your BOI report
File Form 5472 annually
Connect payment processors
The EIN is the starting point of US tax compliance, not the end. ein.so handles the EIN application and does not give tax advice. Work with a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters for any tax-specific question.
Next Steps
Get Your EIN Application Filed
- Apply through ein.so — we complete Form SS-4 and file by fax for $49
- Confirm you need no SSN — read EIN without SSN for the passport-number path
- Read the form details — the SS-4 form guide covers every line
- Check your timeline — EIN processing time shows speeds by method
- Open a US bank account — see EIN for a bank account
- File Form 5472 — annual filing for foreign-owned LLCs (Form 5472 guide, $25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- File your BOI report — required for most LLCs (BOI filing)
More resources: how to get an EIN | EIN for non-residents | EIN cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What form is used to apply for an EIN?
IRS Form SS-4, the Application for Employer Identification Number, is the only EIN application form. Download it free from irs.gov. The current version is Rev. December 2023. The form has 18 numbered lines across one page, with a four-page instruction sheet. ein.so completes Form SS-4 for you and files it with the IRS for $49.
Where can I get Form SS-4?
Download Form SS-4 free from irs.gov, or request a paper copy by calling the IRS at 800-829-3676. The form and the EIN itself cost $0. Use only the current Rev. December 2023 version. Older versions risk rejection. ein.so prepares the latest SS-4 for non-residents and files it by fax to 855-215-1627.
How do I submit Form SS-4?
Submit Form SS-4 four ways: online (instant, but requires an SSN), by fax to 855-215-1627 (4-7 business days, no SSN), by phone (international applicants only), or by mail (4-6 weeks). Non-residents without an SSN use the fax method. ein.so handles the fax filing and delivers your EIN by email for $49.
Is Form SS-4 free?
Yes. The IRS charges $0 for Form SS-4 and $0 for the EIN. No filing fee exists at any submission speed. ein.so charges $49 (Standard, 4-7 business days) or $97 (Express, 2-3 business days) to prepare the form correctly, file it by fax, and return your EIN by email so you avoid rejections.
What is the current version of Form SS-4?
The current version of Form SS-4 is Rev. December 2023. The revision date prints in the top-left corner of the form. The IRS rejects outdated versions. Always download the form fresh from irs.gov before each application. ein.so always files the current revision, so non-residents never submit an expired form.
Do non-residents need an SSN to complete Form SS-4?
No. Non-US residents do not need an SSN or ITIN to complete Form SS-4. Enter your passport number on Line 7b as the responsible party identifier. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, which is why non-residents file by fax instead. ein.so files the fax application for $49 using your passport number.
What goes on Line 7b of Form SS-4 for a non-resident?
Non-residents enter a passport number on Line 7b of Form SS-4. Line 7a holds the responsible party's full legal name as printed on the passport. No SSN or ITIN is required. This single distinction blocks non-residents from the online tool and routes them to the fax method that ein.so handles for $49.
Which form does a foreign-owned single-member LLC file after getting an EIN?
A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for missing this filing is $25,000. Form 5472 is an information return, separate from the SS-4. Confirm your filing duties with a CPA. See the Form 5472 guide for deadlines and details.
How fast does ein.so deliver an EIN after filing Form SS-4?
ein.so delivers EINs in 4-7 business days on the Standard plan ($49) and 2-3 business days on Express ($97). The IRS faxes back the EIN assignment letter once it processes a clean Form SS-4. Errors restart the queue, so ein.so reviews every field before filing to protect your timeline.
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