Cost Guide
EIN Cost
The IRS issues EINs for free. ein.so charges $49 Standard or $97 Express to prepare and fax Form SS-4 for non-residents. Compare prices and see what the fee covers.
An EIN costs $0 from the IRS. There is no government fee. The IRS issues every Employer Identification Number at no charge through all four methods: online (instant), fax (4-7 days), phone (same day), and mail (4-6 weeks). Non-residents cannot use the free online tool because it requires an SSN. ein.so prepares and faxes Form SS-4 for $49 Standard (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days) — the lowest service price in the market.
The EIN is a free government number. The confusion starts because non-US residents cannot use the IRS online application, which requires a Social Security Number. That leaves the fax method, which demands a correctly completed Form SS-4, US fax access, and patience during US business hours. Third-party services charge a fee to handle that labor. This page separates the IRS cost ($0) from the optional service cost ($49 to $200+), shows exactly what the fee buys, and compares every major provider so you do not overpay for a number the government gives away.
| Factor | IRS Direct | ein.so Standard | ein.so Express |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Service fee | $0 | $49 | $97 |
| Processing time | 4-7 business days (fax) | 4-7 business days | 2-3 business days |
| SSN required | No (fax method) | No | No |
| Form SS-4 prepared for you | No | Yes | Yes |
| Fax sent to 855-215-1627 | You do it | We do it | We do it |
| Support | None | Multilingual | Multilingual |
IRS Cost
How Much Does the IRS Charge for an EIN?
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN through every application method. There is no filing fee, processing fee, or renewal fee. The EIN is free whether you apply online, by fax, by phone, or by mail.
The IRS has never charged for an EIN. The number is free regardless of your entity type, your location, or how many EINs you hold. Here is every method and its true cost:
| Method | IRS Cost | Processing Time | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online (EIN Assistant) | $0 | Instant | SSN or ITIN required |
| Fax (Form SS-4) | $0 | 4-7 business days | Passport number only |
| Phone (267-941-1099) | $0 | Same day | International call charges |
| Mail (Form SS-4) | $0 | 4-6 weeks | None |
Non-residents face one barrier: the online EIN Assistant blocks anyone without an SSN. That removes the instant, free path. The fax method to 855-215-1627 remains free, but it requires an error-free Form SS-4 and a working US fax line. See how to get an EIN for free and the full EIN application process.
Service Costs
How Much Do EIN Services Charge?
EIN services charge $49 to $200 or more to prepare and file Form SS-4 on your behalf. ein.so charges $49 for Standard and $97 for Express, the lowest prices available. Every service delivers the same 9-digit EIN issued by the IRS.
Non-US residents cannot use the free IRS online tool, so they fax Form SS-4, call the IRS, or hire a service. Here is how the major providers compare:
| Provider | EIN Price | Express Option | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| ein.so | $49 | $97 | 4-7 / 2-3 business days |
| ein-itin.com | $65 | N/A | 5-10 business days |
| GovDocFiling | $147-200 | Included | 1-5 business days |
| LegalZoom | $149+ | $249+ | 1-10 business days |
| Incfile | $70+ | N/A | Varies |
| Northwest | $100+ | N/A | Varies |
| Harbor Compliance | $99+ | N/A | Varies |
Why ein.so Costs Less
ein.so files EINs and nothing else. We do not sell LLC formation, registered agent service, or annual report packages as the main product. The $49 price covers Form SS-4 preparation, IRS fax submission, follow-up, and email delivery. Higher-priced competitors bundle the EIN into formation packages, which inflates the total. See the cost broken down on EIN processing time and EIN for non-residents.
What You Pay For
What Does the ein.so Service Fee Cover?
The $49 service fee covers form preparation, IRS fax submission, follow-up, and delivery — not the EIN itself. The EIN is always free from the IRS. You pay for the labor of filing it correctly the first time.
When you pay ein.so $49 Standard or $97 Express, you receive five things:
Form SS-4 Preparation
IRS Fax Submission
Follow-Up and Monitoring
EIN Delivery by Email
You are never paying for the EIN. The IRS portion stays $0. The fee buys correct preparation, reliable transmission, and multilingual support in English, Bengali, Hindi, and Urdu.
Common DIY Rejection Causes the Fee Prevents
| Rejection Reason | How ein.so Prevents It |
|---|---|
| Wrong entity type selected | We verify your LLC or corporation structure |
| Malformed foreign address | We reformat your address to IRS-accepted style |
| Invalid responsible-party info | We verify all identifying details before filing |
| Duplicate application | We check for an existing EIN first |
| Failed fax transmission | We use a reliable US-based fax service |
Step-by-Step
How Does the EIN Filing Process Justify the Cost?
The cost reflects four manual steps that the IRS does not automate for non-residents. ein.so completes Form SS-4, faxes it to 855-215-1627, monitors the IRS response, and delivers your EIN by email within 4-7 business days (Standard) or 2-3 business days (Express).
Gather Your Details
Complete Form SS-4
Fax to the IRS
Receive Your EIN
The fax method is free if you own a fax line and complete the form without error. Most non-residents lack reliable fax access and US business-hours availability, which is why the $49 fee makes the process remote and error-free. Compare the methods on how to get an EIN and EIN without SSN.
EIN vs ITIN
How Does EIN Cost Compare to ITIN Cost?
An EIN and an ITIN are different numbers with different costs. The IRS issues an EIN for $0 and ein.so files it for $49. An ITIN requires Form W-7 and supporting documents; ein.so handles ITIN applications for $197 Standard or $297 Express.
A business needs an EIN. An individual non-resident sometimes needs an ITIN for personal US tax obligations. The two are not interchangeable, and confusing them leads to paying for the wrong service.
| Item | EIN | ITIN |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Business tax ID | Individual tax ID |
| IRS form | Form SS-4 | Form W-7 |
| IRS fee | $0 | $0 |
| ein.so Standard | $49 | $197 |
| ein.so Express | $97 | $297 |
| Needs passport | Yes (Line 7b) | Yes, plus W-7 documents |
| Used for | Bank account, Stripe, taxes | Personal US tax filing |
For a US LLC, the EIN is the number you need. The ITIN matters only for specific personal filing situations. Confirm which number applies to your situation with a CPA. ein.so does not provide tax advice. Read more on EIN for non-residents.
Related Costs
What Other Costs Surround a US LLC and EIN?
The EIN itself costs $0 from the IRS and $49 through ein.so. Separate costs surround the wider US business setup: state LLC formation fees, annual report fees, and federal compliance filings. These are not EIN costs, but founders often confuse them.
A foreign-owned single-member US LLC must file Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year. The penalty for failing to file is $25,000. This is an information return, not necessarily a tax bill, but the deadline is firm.
State LLC Formation
Annual Form 5472 + 1120
BOI Report to FinCEN
Banking and Payments
ein.so files the EIN and does not give tax advice. Work with a US CPA for Form 5472, Form 1120, and BOI specifics. Your EIN is the starting point, not the full compliance picture.
Watch Out
What EIN Cost Scams Should You Avoid?
Avoid any website that claims the government charges a fee to issue an EIN. The IRS fee is $0. Sites that present a "government filing fee" for the EIN itself are misleading you. Only optional third-party service fees are legitimate.
EIN Cost Red Flags
- A site lists a "government fee" or "IRS filing fee" for the EIN. The IRS charges $0. This is a fabricated line item.
- The total is bundled so you cannot see the EIN price separately from formation or registered agent fees.
- The site promises an "instant" EIN for non-residents without an SSN. The IRS online tool requires an SSN; non-residents wait 4-7 business days by fax.
- A recurring annual EIN charge appears. An EIN never expires and has no renewal fee.
What a Fair EIN Price Looks Like
- The IRS portion is clearly stated as $0.
- The service fee is a single, transparent charge: $49 Standard or $97 Express at ein.so.
- No forced LLC, registered agent, or compliance upsell at checkout.
- The fee buys Form SS-4 preparation, fax submission, follow-up, and delivery.
If you hold an SSN, get your EIN free at irs.gov in minutes. If you are a non-resident without an SSN, ein.so files it for $49 with no hidden costs. See EIN application fee and free EIN.
Next Steps
After You Decide on EIN Cost
- Apply for your EIN — $49 Standard (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days)
- Read the SS-4 form guide — see exactly which fields ein.so completes for you
- Check EIN processing time — confirm Standard versus Express timelines
- Open a US bank account — Mercury and Relay accept non-resident LLC owners
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs, $25,000 penalty for non-filing
- File your BOI report — required for most LLCs, free at fincen.gov/boi
More guides: how to get an EIN | EIN without SSN | EIN for non-residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an EIN cost from the IRS?
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. There is no government fee, filing fee, or processing fee. Every IRS application method costs $0: online, fax, phone, and mail. The EIN has been free since the IRS created the system. Any site claiming a government EIN fee is misleading you.
Why do EIN services charge money for a free number?
Services charge for labor, not the EIN. The fee covers preparing Form SS-4, faxing it to the IRS, monitoring the response, and delivering the number. Non-residents cannot use the free IRS online tool because it requires an SSN. ein.so handles the fax process for $49 Standard or $97 Express.
What is the cheapest EIN service for non-residents?
ein.so is the cheapest EIN service at $49 for Standard processing and $97 for Express. Standard delivers in 4-7 business days; Express delivers in 2-3 business days. Competitors charge $65 to $200 or more. Every service delivers the identical 9-digit EIN issued by the IRS.
Is there a government fee for an EIN?
No. The IRS does not charge any fee to issue an EIN. There is no application fee, processing fee, or renewal fee. The only money you spend is an optional third-party service fee for preparing and filing Form SS-4. ein.so charges $49 for that work; the IRS portion stays $0.
Can I get an EIN for free as a non-resident?
Yes. Non-residents can fax Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627 for $0 or call the IRS at 267-941-1099 for $0 plus international call charges. The DIY route requires fax access, correct form completion, and US business-hours availability. Many non-residents pay ein.so $49 to avoid rejection and handle it remotely.
How does EIN cost compare to ITIN cost?
An EIN and an ITIN are different numbers with different costs. The IRS issues an EIN for $0; ein.so files it for $49. An ITIN requires IRS Form W-7 and supporting documents; ein.so handles ITIN applications for $197 Standard or $297 Express. A business needs an EIN, not an ITIN.
Does Express EIN processing cost more than Standard?
Yes. ein.so Express costs $97 and delivers in 2-3 business days. Standard costs $49 and delivers in 4-7 business days. Both use the same IRS fax method and produce the same EIN. Express prioritizes your filing in the queue. Choose Express when banking or platform onboarding is time-sensitive.
Are there hidden or recurring EIN costs?
No. An EIN has no renewal fee and never expires. You pay the IRS $0 and pay ein.so once: $49 or $97. There are no annual EIN charges. Separate costs exist for related items like state LLC fees and the annual Form 5472 filing, but the EIN itself carries no recurring cost.
Why do some websites charge $200 or more for an EIN?
High-priced sites bundle the EIN with LLC formation, registered agent service, or compliance packages, then charge for the bundle. GovDocFiling charges $147 to $200 and LegalZoom charges $149 or more. ein.so focuses only on EIN filing, so the price stays at $49 with no forced upsells.
Need an EIN? We Handle Everything.
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