Country Guide
EIN for Brazilian Entrepreneurs
Apply for a US EIN from Brazil without an SSN. ein.so handles the IRS fax filing for Brazilian Amazon sellers, e-commerce businesses, and real estate investors. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
Brazilian entrepreneurs can get a US EIN by faxing IRS Form SS-4 with their Brazilian passport number. No SSN, ITIN, or US visa is required. Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America, and Brazilian entrepreneurs are expanding into the US market through e-commerce, real estate investment, and technology. ein.so handles the EIN application for $49 (Standard) or $97 (Express).
Brazil's Position as Latin America's Largest Economy
Brazil has a population of 215 million, a GDP of $2.1 trillion (the largest in Latin America), and over 20 million registered companies (CNPJs). Brazilians are among the top 5 foreign buyers of US real estate, spending $1.6 billion on US property purchases in 2023. The BRL/USD exchange rate hovers near 5.0. Brazilian entrepreneurs have a growing presence in the US market, with strong communities in Miami, Orlando, Newark, and Boston.
What This Guide Covers for Brazilian Entrepreneurs
This guide covers the EIN application process for Brazilian entrepreneurs, including the CNPJ vs EIN comparison, real estate investment considerations, payment and currency management between BRL and USD, and how ein.so handles the application process. Read our complete guide on EIN for non-US residents for the full process.
| Factor | Brazil | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Business Entity | Ltda / S.A. / MEI / EIRELI | LLC / Corporation |
| Tax ID | CNPJ (14 digits) / CPF (11 digits) | EIN (9 digits: XX-XXXXXXX) |
| Corporate Tax Rate | 34% (15% IRPJ + 9% CSLL + 10% surcharge) | 21% federal corporate rate |
| Banking | BRL accounts; Itau, Bradesco, Banco do Brasil | USD accounts; Mercury, Relay, Chase |
| Currency | BRL (~5.0 per USD) | USD (global reserve currency) |
| US Real Estate Buying | Top 5 foreign buyer country ($1.6B in 2023) | Domestic market |
Use Cases
Why Do Brazilian Entrepreneurs Need a US EIN?
Brazil's effective corporate tax rate of 34% is among the highest in Latin America, while a US single-member LLC offers pass-through taxation and 0% federal tax on non-US-sourced income for non-residents. Over 50,000 Brazilian nationals hold active US business registrations. Here are the primary use cases:
Core Business Reasons for Brazilian EIN Applicants
Amazon FBA and E-Commerce
Brazilian entrepreneurs sell on Amazon.com through private label, wholesale, and arbitrage models. Your US EIN completes the Amazon tax interview and registers you as a US seller. FBA handles fulfillment while you manage product sourcing and marketing from Brazil. The US Amazon marketplace is significantly larger than Amazon.com.br.
US Real Estate Investment
Brazilians are among the top foreign buyers of US real estate, particularly in Florida (Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale). A US LLC with an EIN is the standard structure for holding investment properties. Your EIN is needed for rental income reporting, property tax, and banking related to the property.
Technology and SaaS
Brazilian tech companies expanding into the US market form LLCs for payment processing, customer credibility, and venture capital access. Your EIN enables Stripe, US banking, and compliance with US tax requirements for SaaS revenue.
Import/Export Trade
Brazilian exporters selling directly to US importers or consumers benefit from a US entity. Your EIN connects to a US bank account for receivables, simplifies customs documentation, and provides a professional US business identity for American buyers.
Application Process
How Do Brazilian Citizens Apply for a US EIN?
Brazilian citizens receive their EIN in 4-7 business days via fax filing, with a 96% first-submission success rate through ein.so. Your Brazilian passport (Passaporte) number serves as identification. Here is the step-by-step process:
The 4-Step EIN Process From Brazil
Form a US LLC
Form an LLC in Wyoming, Delaware, or Florida through a registered agent. Florida is popular among Brazilian entrepreneurs due to the large Brazilian community and proximity. The formation is done entirely online.
Gather Your Documents
You need your Brazilian passport (Passaporte) and your LLC details. Do not use your CPF or CNPJ number on the SS-4 -- the IRS requires a passport number for non-resident applications.
Apply Through ein.so
Complete our application in 3 minutes. We prepare your SS-4, correctly format your Brazilian address, and fax it to the IRS. Standard is $49. Express is $97.
Receive Your EIN
We deliver your EIN via email. Standard takes 4-7 business days. Express takes 7 business days. You receive your official IRS confirmation letter (CP 575).
Why Fax Is Preferred From Brazil
While Brazilian time zones (BRT, UTC-3) are close to US Eastern Time (UTC-5), calling the IRS still involves 1-2 hour hold times and potential language barriers (the IRS primarily operates in English). The fax method through ein.so is more reliable. Learn more about EIN without SSN.
| Document | What to Prepare | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brazilian Passport (Passaporte) | Valid, unexpired passport | Passport number in foreign ID field; not CPF or CNPJ |
| US LLC Documents | Articles of Organization, entity name, state | Florida popular for Brazilians; Wyoming for lower cost |
| Brazilian Address | Rua/Av, numero, bairro, cidade, estado, CEP | ein.so reformats Brazilian addresses for IRS acceptance |
| Registered Agent | US registered agent name and address | Provides US address for IRS correspondence |
| Business Activity | Brief description of US business | E.g., "e-commerce," "real estate investment," "SaaS" |
Comparison
CNPJ vs EIN: What Brazilian Entrepreneurs Need to Understand
Brazil's CNPJ has 14 digits and is issued by Receita Federal, while the US EIN has 9 digits and is issued by the IRS. Over 20 million active CNPJs exist in Brazil, and Brazilian entrepreneurs operating in the US need both. Here is the comparison:
CNPJ vs EIN: Key Differences
| Feature | Brazilian CNPJ/CPF | US EIN |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | Receita Federal (Brazil) | IRS (United States) |
| CNPJ Format | 14 digits (XX.XXX.XXX/XXXX-XX) | 9 digits (XX-XXXXXXX) |
| US Banking | Not accepted | Required for US bank accounts |
| Amazon.com | Not sufficient for US seller registration | Completes tax interview |
| US Real Estate | Not accepted for US tax filing | Required for rental income reporting |
If you operate in both countries, you need both your CNPJ (for Brazilian operations) and your EIN (for US operations). They are complementary identifiers for different jurisdictions. Learn more about the EIN application process.
Real Estate
How Do Brazilian Real Estate Investors Use a US EIN?
Brazilians purchased $1.6 billion in US real estate in 2023, with 60% of purchases concentrated in Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange, and Osceola counties). The median purchase price for Brazilian buyers was $350,000. A US LLC with an EIN is the standard holding structure. Here is why:
Why LLCs Are Essential for Brazilian Property Investors
Asset Protection
Holding US property through an LLC provides liability protection. If someone is injured on your property, the LLC shields your personal assets. This is standard practice for both American and foreign real estate investors.
Tax Filing
Your LLC's EIN is used for filing US tax returns on rental income (Form 1040-NR for non-residents). Without an EIN, you cannot properly file taxes on US rental income, which creates compliance problems.
Banking and Mortgage
Your EIN lets you open a US bank account for managing rental income, property expenses, and mortgage payments. Some banks offer mortgages to foreign nationals with US LLCs, though requirements are stricter than for US residents.
FIRPTA Compliance
FIRPTA (Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act) imposes withholding requirements on sales of US real estate by foreign persons. Your LLC's EIN is needed for FIRPTA compliance, including filing for reduced withholding or exemptions.
Learn more about EIN for real estate investors and EIN for bank accounts. Apply for your EIN now.