Country Guide
EIN for Canadian Entrepreneurs
Get your US EIN from Canada without an SSN. ein.so handles the IRS fax filing for Canadian cross-border sellers, e-commerce businesses, and Shopify merchants. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
Canadians can get a US EIN by submitting Form SS-4 by fax to the IRS. No SSN or ITIN is required -- your Canadian passport number is sufficient. While Canadians can technically call the IRS, hold times are long and unreliable. ein.so handles the fax filing for $49 (Standard, 4-7 business days) or $97 (Express, 7 business days).
The Scale of Canada-US Cross-Border Business
Canada-US bilateral trade exceeds $700 billion annually, making it the largest bilateral trade relationship in the world. Canada has a population of 40 million, a GDP of $2.1 trillion CAD, and over 1.2 million small businesses. Hundreds of thousands of Canadian entrepreneurs sell into the US market through e-commerce, SaaS, consulting, and cross-border services. A US EIN is the foundation for all of this -- you need it to open a US bank account, register on US marketplaces, accept US payments, and file US taxes. The CAD/USD exchange rate hovers around 0.74, meaning every US dollar earned is worth approximately $1.35 CAD.
What This Guide Covers for Canadians
The proximity of Canada to the US makes cross-border business natural, but the IRS still treats Canadian applicants the same as any other non-resident when it comes to the EIN application. The online tool requires an SSN you do not have. This guide explains the process and how ein.so makes it seamless for Canadian entrepreneurs. Read our complete guide on EIN for non-US residents for the full process.
| Factor | Canada | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Business Entity | Corporation / Sole Proprietorship | LLC / Corporation |
| Tax ID | BN (Business Number, 9 digits) | EIN (9 digits: XX-XXXXXXX) |
| Corporate Tax Rate | 15% federal + 8-16% provincial | 21% federal corporate rate |
| Banking | CAD accounts; Big Five banks | USD accounts; Mercury, Relay, Chase |
| Currency | CAD (~0.74 per USD) | USD (global reserve currency) |
| Trade Agreement | CUSMA/USMCA member | CUSMA/USMCA member |
Use Cases
Why Do Canadian Entrepreneurs Need a US EIN?
Over 400,000 Canadian businesses export to the United States, and 75% of Canadian exports go to the US market. Geographic proximity, cultural similarity, and CUSMA (formerly NAFTA) trade agreements make cross-border business straightforward. Canada's e-commerce market is worth $58 billion CAD, and many sellers expand to the US for a market 10 times larger. Here are the most common reasons Canadians apply for a US EIN through ein.so:
Primary Use Cases for Canadian EIN Applicants
Cross-Border E-Commerce
Selling on Amazon.com, Walmart.com, or your own Shopify store to US customers requires a US tax ID. Many Canadian sellers operate on both Amazon.ca and Amazon.com simultaneously. Your US EIN lets you register as a US seller and use FBA warehouses south of the border.
Shopify Payments (US)
Shopify is a Canadian company, but Shopify Payments for US transactions works best with a US entity and EIN. Canadian merchants selling primarily to US customers benefit from a US LLC with a US bank account to avoid cross-border payment processing fees and currency conversion on every transaction.
US Banking and Payment Processing
A US EIN lets you open a US business bank account for USD transactions. This eliminates the CAD/USD conversion fees on every sale. Banks like Mercury accept Canadian LLC owners, and services like Stripe US provide better rates for US-based transactions than Stripe Canada.
SaaS and Digital Services
Canadian SaaS companies selling to US clients often form US LLCs for payment processing, tax efficiency, and client trust. A US entity with an EIN signals to American customers that you are a legitimate US-based business, which matters for enterprise sales and government contracts.
Application Process
How Do Canadians Apply for a US EIN?
Canadian applicants receive their EIN in 4-7 business days via fax, with a 98% first-submission success rate through ein.so. The IRS online tool is not available because it requires an SSN. Here is how each method works for Canadian applicants:
Step-by-Step Fax Filing Process
Form Your US LLC
Most Canadians form an LLC in Wyoming or Delaware through a registered agent. This is done entirely online from Canada. The LLC gives you a US legal entity, a registered address, and the structure you need for US banking and tax compliance.
Prepare Form SS-4
Complete IRS Form SS-4 with your LLC details and your Canadian passport number. Your Canadian home address goes in the responsible party section. ein.so prepares this form for you to ensure accuracy.
Submit via Fax
Fax the completed SS-4 to the IRS at 855-215-1627. ein.so uses commercial-grade fax systems to ensure clear transmission. The IRS processes faxed applications in 4-7 business days.
Receive Your EIN
The IRS faxes back your EIN assignment letter (CP 575). ein.so delivers your EIN via email as soon as it arrives. With Express processing ($97), you can have your EIN in 7 business days.
Why Fax Beats the Phone Method for Canadians
While Canadians can call the IRS at 267-941-1099 during business hours (6 AM - 11 PM ET), hold times frequently exceed an hour, and you may need to call multiple times. The fax method through ein.so is more reliable and does not require you to spend your morning on hold. For the complete SS-4 walkthrough, see our SS-4 form guide.
| Document | What to Prepare | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Passport | Valid, unexpired passport | Passport number goes in foreign ID field; not SIN or driver's license |
| US LLC Documents | Articles of Organization, entity name, state | Wyoming or Delaware most common for Canadians |
| Canadian Address | Full address with postal code (e.g., M5V 2T6) | Canadian format accepted; ein.so optimizes layout |
| 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," "SaaS," "consulting" |
E-Commerce
How Does a US EIN Help Canadian Sellers on Amazon.com vs Amazon.ca?
Amazon.com generates $575 billion in annual revenue compared to Amazon.ca's estimated $16 billion -- a 36:1 ratio. Canadian sellers who expand to Amazon.com report average revenue increases of 300-500%. Here is what you need to know about using your EIN for Amazon selling:
Key Differences Between Amazon.ca and Amazon.com Selling
Tax Interview Completion
Amazon requires every seller to complete a tax interview. With a US LLC and EIN, you complete this as a US entity. Without a US entity, you must complete a W-8BEN-E as a foreign entity, which subjects your sales to 30% withholding on US-sourced income (unless reduced by the Canada-US tax treaty).
FBA Inventory in the US
Sending inventory to Amazon US FBA warehouses is straightforward with a US entity. Your EIN is linked to your seller account, and Amazon handles sales tax collection. Without a US entity, you may face complications with customs and import duties.
Unified North American Strategy
With an EIN and US LLC, you can run a unified North American Amazon business. List on Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, and Amazon.com.mx. Your US bank account receives payments from all three marketplaces without currency conversion delays.
Canadian Amazon sellers who expand to the US market with a proper EIN and LLC structure report significantly higher revenue due to the larger customer base. Your EIN is the first step in this expansion. Learn more about EIN for Amazon sellers.
Tax & Currency
What Tax and Currency Considerations Apply to Canadian EIN Holders?
Canada's federal corporate tax rate is 15% (plus 8-16% provincial), compared to the US federal rate of 21%. The Canada-US tax treaty eliminates double taxation for most cross-border business structures. Here are the key considerations for Canadian entrepreneurs with a US EIN:
Treaty Benefits and CRA Reporting
Canada-US Tax Treaty
The Canada-US tax treaty prevents double taxation. Business profits earned through a US LLC are taxable in Canada (where you reside) unless you have a permanent establishment in the US. The treaty allows foreign tax credits to offset taxes paid in either country.
CAD/USD Currency Management
Operating in both CAD and USD means you need a currency strategy. A US bank account lets you hold USD without forced conversion. Many Canadian entrepreneurs use Wise or their Canadian bank's USD account to manage transfers between countries at favorable rates.
GST/HST on Cross-Border Sales
Canadian GST/HST does not apply to goods or services exported to the US. However, if you sell digital products or services to Canadian customers through your US entity, GST/HST rules may apply. Consult a Canadian tax professional familiar with cross-border e-commerce.
CRA Reporting Obligations
Canadian residents must report worldwide income to the CRA, including income earned through US LLCs. You may need to file Form T1135 (Foreign Income Verification) if your US business assets exceed $100,000 CAD. Your US EIN does not replace any Canadian tax obligations.
ein.so handles the EIN application -- we do not provide tax advice. We recommend working with a Canadian CPA who understands cross-border taxation. Your EIN is the starting point for US tax compliance. For more on the application process, see how to get an EIN and EIN without SSN.
Pricing
How Much Does It Cost for Canadians to Get a US EIN Through ein.so?
Standard: $49 USD | Express: $97 USD
No SSN required. No fax machine needed. Applied from Canada in 3 minutes.
Get My EIN NowOur pricing is in USD and includes SS-4 preparation, fax filing to the IRS, follow-up monitoring, and delivery of your EIN confirmation letter. The EIN itself is free from the IRS -- our fee covers the professional service of handling the application correctly and efficiently. Most Canadian clients choose Standard processing, which delivers the EIN within a week. Express processing is available when you need to move faster -- for example, if you are launching on Amazon and need your EIN to complete the tax interview immediately.