Process
Apply for EIN by Phone Guide
Call IRS at 267-941-1099 (international) or 800-829-4933 (domestic) for an EIN. Mon-Fri 7am-7pm ET. Or skip the call: ein.so files Form SS-4 for $49.
Apply for an EIN by phone by calling the IRS at 267-941-1099 (international) or 800-829-4933 (domestic), Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Eastern Time. A representative reads the Form SS-4 questions aloud and assigns your EIN during the call. The IRS charges $0. Hold times average 30 to 60 minutes. Non-US residents can skip the hold entirely: ein.so files Form SS-4 by fax and delivers your EIN by email for $49.
The EIN phone method is one of four ways to get an Employer Identification Number from the IRS. It delivers the EIN fastest when you connect, because the representative issues the 9-digit number verbally during the call. The trade-off is the hold time and the need to call during US business hours. This guide covers the exact IRS numbers, who each line serves, the step-by-step call process, what information to prepare, and how the phone method compares to fax, mail, and online. It also explains why non-US residents without an SSN need the international line or the fax route that ein.so handles.
| Factor | EIN by Phone | ein.so (Fax) |
|---|---|---|
| IRS fee | $0 | $0 (IRS) |
| Service fee | None | $49 Standard / $97 Express |
| Speed | Same-day on the call | 4-7 days / 2-3 days |
| Hold time | 30-60 minutes | None |
| Works without SSN | Yes (267-941-1099) | Yes |
| US business hours required | Yes | No |
Phone Numbers
What IRS Phone Numbers Apply for an EIN by Phone?
The IRS uses 267-941-1099 for non-US residents and 800-829-4933 for US residents, both open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Eastern Time. The international line at 267-941-1099 is not toll-free. The domestic line at 800-829-4933 is toll-free for callers inside the United States.
| Line | Number | For | Toll-Free? |
|---|---|---|---|
| International | 267-941-1099 | Non-US residents | No |
| Domestic | 800-829-4933 | US residents | Yes |
| TTY/TDD | 800-829-4059 | Hearing impaired | Yes |
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Eastern Time. The IRS does not assign EINs by phone on weekends or federal holidays.
When Should You Call to Reduce Hold Time?
- Lowest wait: Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM ET
- Moderate wait: Weekday afternoons, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM ET
- Longest wait: Monday mornings, Fridays, and the January to April tax season
For a full list of IRS contacts, see the IRS EIN phone number reference. For the complete application path, see how to get an EIN.
Process
How Do You Apply for an EIN by Phone?
Apply for an EIN by phone in six steps: prepare Form SS-4, call the correct IRS number, navigate the menu, hold for a representative, answer the SS-4 questions aloud, and write down the EIN. The IRS issues the number during the same call when every answer is correct.
Prepare Form SS-4 on Paper
Call the Correct IRS Number
Navigate the Phone Menu
Wait on Hold
Answer the SS-4 Questions Aloud
Record Your EIN
What Are the Pros and Cons of the Phone Method?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| EIN issued the same call | 30-60 minute hold |
| IRS fee is $0 | International call costs $0.10-2.00/min |
| Ask the agent questions live | Language barrier over the phone |
| No fax machine needed | US business hours only (7am-7pm ET) |
| Immediate verbal number | One spoken error can force a new call |
Non-Residents
Can Non-US Residents Use the EIN Phone Method?
Yes. Non-US residents call the international IRS line at 267-941-1099 and provide a foreign passport number for Form SS-4 Line 7b, with no SSN or ITIN required. The IRS does not require you to be in the United States to receive an EIN.
The phone method works for non-residents, but it carries real friction. The 267-941-1099 line is not toll-free, the hold runs 30 to 60 minutes, and the call must land during a US morning, which is often midnight to dawn in Asia, Europe, or Oceania. Spelling a foreign business name and passport number over an international line invites transcription errors, and a single mistake can void the call.
No SSN or ITIN Needed
Online Tool Is Blocked
Fax Is the Quieter Route
ein.so Files for You
Comparison
How Does EIN by Phone Compare to Other Methods?
EIN by phone is the fastest when you connect, but fax, mail, and online each fit different applicants. Online is instant for SSN holders only. Fax takes 4 to 7 business days and needs no SSN. Mail takes the longest at 4 or more weeks. Every IRS method costs $0.
| Method | IRS Fee | Speed | Needs SSN? | Live Call? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | $0 | Instant | Yes | No |
| Phone | $0 | Same-day on call | No (use 267-941-1099) | Yes |
| Fax | $0 | 4-7 business days | No | No |
| $0 | 4+ weeks | No | No | |
| ein.so | $49 / $97 | 4-7 / 2-3 days | No | No |
The online tool is fastest but is closed to anyone without an SSN or ITIN. The phone method gives a non-resident a same-day EIN, but only if the call connects and every spoken answer is correct. The fax method removes the call entirely while still accepting a passport number. For a deeper breakdown of timelines, see EIN processing time. For the full cost picture, see EIN cost.
Form SS-4
What Form SS-4 Information Does the Phone Agent Ask For?
The phone agent asks for every key Form SS-4 field in order, so prepare the legal name, address, responsible party, identification number, entity type, reason for applying, start date, and principal activity before you call. A finished paper SS-4 lets you answer each question without pausing.
| SS-4 Field | What the Agent Asks | Non-Resident Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 | Legal entity name | Your US LLC name |
| Line 4 | Mailing address | Your foreign or US mailing address |
| Line 7a | Responsible party name | Your full name as on your passport |
| Line 7b | SSN, ITIN, or foreign ID | Your foreign passport number |
| Line 9a | Entity type | LLC, corporation, or sole proprietor |
| Line 10 | Reason for applying | "Started a new business" |
| Line 11 | Business start date | Your LLC formation date |
| Line 16 | Principal activity | "Software," "e-commerce," "consulting" |
The most common phone failure is a mismatched or misheard Line 7b number. International callers spell a passport number over a noisy line, and one wrong digit forces a fresh application. ein.so writes Line 7b precisely on a faxed SS-4 so nothing is misheard. For a field-by-field walkthrough, read the SS-4 form guide.
After Approval
What Do You Do After Getting Your EIN by Phone?
After the agent reads your EIN aloud, use it to open a US bank account, file your BOI report, and meet your annual federal filings. The EIN is the federal tax ID that links your entity to the US financial and tax system, so the work continues after the call ends.
Open a US Bank Account
File Your BOI Report
File Form 5472 Each Year
Consider an ITIN if Needed
ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. Pair your EIN with a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters for Form 5472 and any treaty positions. See the EIN without SSN guide and EIN for non-residents for the full non-resident path.
Alternative
Why Should You Skip the EIN Phone Hold?
Skip the EIN phone hold because the fax method delivers the same $0 IRS EIN without a 30 to 60 minute international call during US business hours. ein.so prepares Form SS-4, faxes it to the IRS at 855-215-1627, and emails your EIN, so you never sit on hold or spell a passport number over the phone.
Phone risks for non-residents
- The 267-941-1099 line is not toll-free, so a 45-minute hold can cost $4.50 to $90.00 in call charges.
- US business hours (7:00 AM to 7:00 PM ET) fall overnight in much of Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
- One misheard digit on Line 7b voids the call and forces a fresh application.
What ein.so does instead
- Prepares your full Form SS-4 with the correct passport number on Line 7b.
- Faxes the application to the IRS at 855-215-1627; no call, no hold.
- Delivers your EIN by email in 4-7 business days ($49) or 2-3 business days ($97).
| ein.so | DIY Phone |
|---|---|
| $49 Standard / $97 Express | $0 IRS + call costs |
| No phone call | 30-60 minute hold |
| We handle everything | You answer questions aloud |
| Works overnight | US business hours only |
Next Steps
Get Your EIN Without the Hold
- Apply through ein.so — we file Form SS-4 by fax for $49 Standard or $97 Express
- Open a US bank account — Mercury, Relay, and Wise accept non-resident LLC owners
- File your BOI report — required for most LLCs, free at the FinCEN site
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Review the SS-4 form guide — field-by-field instructions for non-residents
Other methods and guides: EIN online application | EIN by fax | EIN by mail | how to get an EIN | EIN without SSN | EIN cost | EIN processing time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What IRS number do I call for an EIN by phone?
Non-US residents call 267-941-1099. US residents call the toll-free line 800-829-4933. Both lines operate Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Eastern Time. The international line at 267-941-1099 is not toll-free, so an international call from outside the United States costs $0.10 to $2.00 per minute depending on your carrier.
Can a non-US resident get an EIN by phone?
Yes. The IRS international EIN line at 267-941-1099 accepts non-US residents who have no SSN or ITIN. The representative asks the Form SS-4 questions verbally and records your passport number on Line 7b. The call runs during US business hours only, so you call during a US morning, which is often late evening or overnight in your time zone.
Can I get an EIN the same day by phone?
Yes. If you reach a representative and answer every Form SS-4 question correctly, the IRS assigns the EIN during the call. You receive the 9-digit number verbally before you hang up. The official CP 575 confirmation letter arrives by mail later. Same-day issuance applies only when you actually connect; hold times average 30 to 60 minutes.
Does the IRS charge for an EIN by phone?
No. The IRS charges $0 for an EIN by phone, fax, mail, or online. The only cost of the phone method is the call itself. A US resident pays nothing on the toll-free 800-829-4933 line. A non-US resident pays international long-distance rates of $0.10 to $2.00 per minute on the 267-941-1099 line during a 30 to 60 minute hold.
What information do I need before I call for an EIN?
Complete Form SS-4 on paper first. You need the legal entity name (Line 1), mailing address (Line 4), responsible party name (Line 7a), the responsible party's SSN, ITIN, or foreign passport number (Line 7b), entity type (Line 9a), reason for applying (Line 10), business start date (Line 11), and principal activity (Line 16). The representative reads these fields aloud.
Why does the IRS online EIN tool not work for non-residents?
The IRS online EIN application requires a valid SSN or ITIN from the responsible party. Non-US residents without an SSN cannot pass this check, so the online tool blocks them. Non-residents apply by fax to 855-215-1627 or by phone to 267-941-1099 instead, using a foreign passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b. ein.so uses the fax method for clients.
What is the difference between EIN by phone and EIN by fax?
EIN by phone gives same-day issuance during a live call but requires a 30 to 60 minute hold during US business hours. EIN by fax to 855-215-1627 takes 4 to 7 business days but needs no call, no hold, and no live language exchange. ein.so files by fax for $49 Standard or $97 Express so you never sit on hold.
What time should I call the IRS to reduce hold time?
Call Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM Eastern Time for the shortest wait. Monday mornings, Fridays, and the January to April tax season produce the longest holds. Afternoons from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM ET run moderate. The IRS does not take EIN phone calls on weekends or federal holidays.
Do I still file Form 5472 after getting an EIN by phone?
Yes. The phone method only assigns the EIN. A foreign-owned single-member US LLC must still file Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year. The penalty for not filing Form 5472 is $25,000. The EIN is the starting point for compliance, not the end. Confirm your full filing duties with a US CPA.
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