Bank of America Guide

Bank of America is one of the four largest US banks by assets and runs thousands of physical branches across the country. Its business checking products serve US-based small businesses that want branch access, cash deposits, and in-person service. For a non-US resident with a new LLC, Bank of America presents one obstacle: it expects you to walk into a branch with your documents. The EIN, however, is the same federal tax ID Bank of America and every other US bank requires. This guide explains why Bank of America needs your EIN, how a non-resident obtains that EIN without an SSN, what Bank of America asks for at the branch, and which remote banks accept the same EIN without a US visit.

Overview

What Does a Bank of America Business Account Require?

A Bank of America business account requires an EIN, LLC formation documents, an Operating Agreement, and a government-issued passport, presented at a branch in person. The EIN is the first item, and Bank of America does not open business accounts fully online.

Documents to Open the Account

1. EIN confirmation — CP 575 or Letter 147C from the IRS
2. LLC documents — Articles of Organization from your formation state
3. Operating Agreement — your LLC governance document
4. Government ID — passport or US driver's license
5. US business address — for account records and statements

Confirm the current document checklist with Bank of America before your appointment, because banks update requirements often. The EIN, however, is always required. Apply for your EIN — $49.

Non-Resident Banking

Should a Non-Resident Use Bank of America or an Online Bank?

A non-resident should use an online bank such as Mercury, Relay, or Wise, because Bank of America requires an in-person branch visit that most non-residents cannot make. Online banks open accounts remotely in 1-3 business days. Every option still requires the EIN first.

Choose Bank of America if you live in the US or travel there often and want physical branches and cash deposits. Choose a remote online bank if you bank entirely from abroad. The decision does not change your EIN requirement. Get the EIN first, then pick the bank that fits how you operate. See our best bank for non-resident LLC comparison and EIN for a bank account.

Tax & Compliance

What Tax Filings Follow a Bank of America Business Account?

A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year, regardless of which bank holds the account. The penalty for not filing is $25,000. Most LLCs also file a beneficial ownership information report with FinCEN.

Opening a Bank of America account does not create your tax obligations; owning a US LLC does. The bank account is where money moves, but the filings come from your entity type and ownership. These are compliance filings, not banking forms.

The EIN is the foundation for all of this. It identifies your company to Bank of America, to the IRS on Form 5472, and to FinCEN on the BOI report. Get the EIN right first and the rest of the stack follows cleanly.

Next Steps

After Getting Your EIN for Bank of America

1. Apply for your EIN — ein.so files Form SS-4 with the IRS for $49 Standard or $97 Express
2. Choose your bank — a Bank of America branch (in person) or a remote bank like Mercury, Relay, or Wise
3. File your BOI report — required for most LLCs at fincen.gov/boi
4. File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
5. Set up payments — connect your EIN to Stripe, PayPal, or Payoneer

Related guides: EIN for a bank account | Best bank for non-resident LLC | EIN for non-residents | EIN without SSN | How to get an EIN | EIN cost | EIN processing time.

Apply for your EIN — $49