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EIN by State Guide

The EIN is a federal number from the IRS. The application process is identical in all 50 states.

The EIN is a federal number issued by the IRS, so the application process is identical in all 50 states. Non-residents fax Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627 using a passport number on Line 7b. No SSN is required. The IRS charges $0 for the EIN. ein.so prepares the SS-4, faxes it to the IRS, and emails your EIN. Standard costs $49 (4-7 business days). Express costs $97 (2-3 business days).

The EIN, or Employer Identification Number, is a 9-digit tax ID in the format XX-XXXXXXX. The IRS issues it, not your state. This single fact saves non-residents from a common mistake: searching for a "Texas EIN" or a "California EIN" when only one federal EIN exists. Your LLC's state controls your formation fee, your registered agent, and your annual report. It does not control how you get your EIN. This hub links to a guide for each of the 50 states and explains how to choose a state, how the application works, and what you file after approval.

Factor	Controlled by the State	Controlled by the IRS
LLC formation fee	Yes (varies by state)	No
Registered agent rule	Yes	No
Annual report	Yes	No
EIN application method	No	Yes (Form SS-4)
EIN cost	No	Yes ($0)
EIN processing time	No	Yes (4-7 days by fax)
IRS fax number	No	Yes (855-215-1627)

Overview

EIN by State Overview

The EIN is a federal number from the IRS, and the application process is identical in all 50 states. Pick your state below to read its dedicated guide. Each guide covers that state's formation context, then routes you to the same federal SS-4 process.

All 50 State Guides

Quick Links

Why It Is Federal

Why Is the EIN the Same in Every State?

The EIN is the same in every state because the Internal Revenue Service, a federal agency, issues it under one national system. States do not assign EINs. They register your LLC and grant a separate state entity number, but that state number is not your tax ID.

Many non-residents confuse two different identifiers. The first is the state entity ID, assigned when your LLC is registered with a Secretary of State. The second is the EIN, assigned by the IRS. Banks, Amazon, and Stripe ask for the EIN, not the state ID. You apply for the EIN once. It works for a Wyoming LLC and a Florida LLC the same way.

Identifier	Issued By	Used For
State entity number	Secretary of State	State formation records
EIN	IRS	Federal tax filing, banking, payments
ITIN	IRS	Personal tax ID for individuals

The practical result is simple. You do not need a "by state" EIN strategy. You need one Form SS-4 filed correctly. Read the full SS-4 form guide and the complete EIN application process to see every line explained.

Choosing a State

How Do You Choose a State for an LLC and EIN?

Choose your state based on formation cost, annual report fee, and tax exposure, not on the EIN process, which never changes. Wyoming, Delaware, and New Mexico are the most common picks for non-residents because of low fees and Wyoming's 0% state income tax.

State filing fees vary widely, and state rules change. Confirm the current fee on your state's Secretary of State website before you form. The four factors below drive most non-resident decisions.

Formation Cost

Each state sets its own LLC filing fee. Some states charge under $100; others charge more. The EIN itself stays $0 from the IRS regardless of state. ein.so charges $49 to file the SS-4 in any state.

Annual Report and Fees

Most states require an annual or biennial report with a renewal fee. Wyoming, Delaware, and New Mexico are popular for predictable low maintenance. Check your state guide and the Secretary of State for current amounts.

State Income Tax

Wyoming charges 0% state income tax. Other states tax business income differently. Your federal EIN obligations do not change with state tax. Confirm your full tax picture with a CPA before choosing.

Privacy and Banking

Some states do not list members publicly, which appeals to non-residents. Banks like Mercury and Relay accept LLCs from any state once you hold an EIN. See EIN for a bank account.

ein.so does not give tax advice and does not pick your state for you. We file your EIN once your LLC exists. Discuss state selection with a CPA familiar with non-resident matters.

Step-by-Step

How Do You Apply for an EIN in Any State?

You apply for an EIN in any state by faxing Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627 with a passport number on Line 7b. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so non-residents use the fax method. The IRS issues most error-free EINs within 4-7 business days.

Form Your US LLC

Register your LLC in your chosen state through a registered agent. This works the same in Wyoming, Delaware, Florida, or any other state. You can complete it online from outside the US.

Gather Your Documents

You need your valid passport, your LLC name, your state and formation date, and your foreign address. No SSN, ITIN, or US address is required to get the EIN.

Complete Form SS-4

Enter your LLC name on Line 1, your address on Line 4, your name as responsible party on Line 7a, and your passport number on Line 7b. ein.so completes this to prevent silent rejections.

Submit by Fax and Receive Your EIN

The SS-4 is faxed to 855-215-1627. Standard delivery is 4-7 business days; Express is 2-3 business days. The IRS returns your EIN assignment letter, the CP 575.

This four-step path is identical in all 50 states. The only difference between a Texas application and an Ohio application is the state name on Line 1. See EIN without an SSN and EIN for non-residents for full detail on the no-SSN route.

Pricing

How Much Does an EIN Cost in Each State?

The EIN costs $0 from the IRS in every state. Your state charges a separate LLC formation fee that varies. ein.so charges $49 Standard or $97 Express to prepare and fax Form SS-4 in any state, with no difference in price between states.

Plan	Price	Processing	Works In
IRS direct (fax)	$0 EIN fee	4-7 business days	All 50 states
ein.so Standard	$49	4-7 business days	All 50 states
ein.so Express	$97	2-3 business days	All 50 states

The IRS never charges for the EIN. Any service that claims a state-specific EIN fee is charging for filing help, not for the number. ein.so charges a flat fee because the work, completing and faxing the SS-4, is the same in every state. State formation fees are separate and paid to the Secretary of State. See the EIN cost breakdown and EIN processing time for the full picture.

Compliance

What Do You File After Getting an EIN in Any State?

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 not filing Form 5472 is $25,000. This federal requirement applies in all 50 states. Confirm your filings with a CPA.

Form 5472 + 1120

A foreign-owned single-member LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The non-filing penalty is $25,000. This is an information return and applies regardless of which state your LLC sits in.

BOI Report to FinCEN

Most US LLCs report beneficial ownership to FinCEN. Review the BOI filing rules and deadlines so you do not miss the window. This federal report is the same in every state.

State Annual Report

Your state requires its own annual or biennial report with a renewal fee. This is the one filing that does vary by state. Check your state guide and the Secretary of State for the current amount and due date.

ITIN If Needed

Some non-residents also need an ITIN for personal US tax matters. ein.so offers an ITIN service for $197 Standard or $297 Express. The EIN is for your business; the ITIN is for you as an individual.

ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. Work with a US CPA familiar with non-resident filings to confirm your Form 5472, Form 1120, and state obligations. Your EIN is the starting point for compliance, not the end of it.

Next Steps

What Are Your Next Steps After an EIN?

Open a US bank account — Mercury, Relay, and Wise accept non-resident LLC owners from any state
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
Learn the process — read how to get an EIN and the SS-4 form guide
Apply without an SSN — see EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents

Pick your state above, then apply once. The EIN works in all 50 states. Compare the full EIN cost and EIN processing time.

Apply for your EIN — $49

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the EIN process change from state to state?

No. The EIN is a federal number issued by the IRS, not by any state. You file the same Form SS-4 whether your LLC is in Wyoming, Delaware, or Texas. The processing path, the fax number 855-215-1627, and the $0 IRS fee are identical in all 50 states. Only your state filing fee differs.

How do I get an EIN?

Apply online at irs.gov for an instant EIN if you have an SSN. Without an SSN, fax Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627 and wait 4-7 business days. ein.so files the fax application for non-residents for $49 Standard or $97 Express. The IRS charges $0 for the EIN itself in every case.

How much does an EIN cost?

The EIN is free from the IRS, which charges $0. ein.so charges $49 Standard or $97 Express to prepare Form SS-4, fax it to the IRS, and deliver your EIN by email. Your state charges a separate LLC formation fee that varies by state. See the EIN cost guide for the full breakdown.

Can non-residents get an EIN in any state?

Yes. Non-residents get an EIN for an LLC in any of the 50 states by faxing Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627. No SSN or ITIN is required. You enter your passport number on Line 7b. ein.so handles the full process for $49. The state your LLC sits in does not change the EIN method.

How long does it take to get an EIN?

Online with an SSN: instant. Fax without an SSN: 4-7 business days. Mail: 4-6 weeks. ein.so delivers in 4-7 business days Standard and 2-3 business days Express. These timelines are the same in all 50 states because the IRS, not the state, issues the EIN.

Which state should I form my LLC in for an EIN?

Wyoming, Delaware, and New Mexico are the most common choices for non-residents because of low fees and no state income tax in Wyoming. The state affects your LLC formation cost and annual report, not the EIN process. Confirm the right state for your tax situation with a CPA before forming.

Do I need a US address in the state where I form my LLC?

You need a registered agent with a physical address in your LLC's state, not a personal US address. Form SS-4 Line 4 accepts your foreign address. Many non-residents enter their home-country address. ein.so reformats foreign addresses so the IRS accepts the SS-4 without silent rejection.

Does my state EIN search work for finding my number?

There is no separate state EIN. Your EIN is federal and appears on the IRS assignment letter (CP 575). States do not maintain a public EIN lookup for privacy reasons. Keep your CP 575 letter and the email ein.so sends you, because banks and Amazon request the EIN confirmation.

What is an EIN used for after I get it?

Tax filing, opening a US business bank account, hiring employees, payment processing through Stripe or PayPal, and business licensing. A foreign-owned single-member LLC also files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The $25,000 penalty for non-filing applies in every state. Confirm filings with a CPA.

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