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
US Real Estate Investment
Technology and SaaS
Import/Export Trade
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
Gather Your Documents
Apply Through ein.so
Receive Your EIN
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
Tax Filing
Banking and Mortgage
FIRPTA Compliance
Learn more about EIN for real estate investors and EIN for bank accounts. Apply for your EIN now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Brazilian citizens get a US EIN?
Yes. Brazilian citizens can get a US EIN by submitting Form SS-4 by fax to the IRS. No SSN or ITIN is required. Your Brazilian passport number serves as identification. ein.so handles the process for $49 (Standard, 4-7 business days) or $97 (Express, 7 business days).
Do Brazilian entrepreneurs need an SSN to get a US EIN?
No. Brazilian applicants do not need a Social Security Number or ITIN. Your Brazilian passport number is used on Form SS-4. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so Brazilians use the fax method. ein.so handles the fax filing for you.
What is the difference between a CNPJ and a US EIN?
Your CNPJ (Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Juridica) is issued by the Receita Federal for Brazilian business tax purposes. Your CPF is your individual Brazilian tax ID. A US EIN is issued by the IRS for US tax purposes. They serve different countries. Your CNPJ/CPF cannot be used for US banking or tax compliance.
Can I sell on Amazon.com from Brazil with a US EIN?
Yes. Your US EIN and LLC let you register as a US seller on Amazon.com. You complete the tax interview with your EIN and gain access to Amazon's US marketplace and FBA warehouses. This is separate from any Brazilian marketplace presence.
Can Brazilian real estate investors use a US EIN?
Yes. Brazilian nationals investing in US real estate commonly form US LLCs to hold property. Your EIN is required for the LLC's tax filing, rental income reporting, and banking. Many Brazilian investors in Florida, New York, and other states use this structure.
How do I transfer funds between Brazil and my US account?
Use Wise, Remessa Online, or your Brazilian bank's international transfer service (DOC/TED internacional) to move funds between your US bank account (opened with your EIN) and your Brazilian bank account. Wise offers the best BRL/USD exchange rates.
How long does it take for a Brazilian to receive a US EIN?
Through ein.so, Standard processing takes 4-7 business days ($49) and Express takes 7 business days ($97). Calling the IRS from Brazil is impractical due to the time difference and expensive international calling rates.