Country Guide
EIN for Colombian Entrepreneurs
Apply for your US EIN from Colombia without an SSN or ITIN. ein.so handles the IRS fax filing for Colombian freelancers, Amazon sellers, and business owners. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
Last updated: June 2, 2026
Colombian entrepreneurs can get a US EIN by submitting IRS Form SS-4 by fax. Your Colombia passport number replaces the SSN requirement on Line 7b. The IRS online tool is blocked for applicants without an SSN, so the fax method is your path. ein.so prepares your SS-4, faxes it to the IRS at 855-215-1627, and delivers your EIN by email. Standard processing costs $49 (4-7 business days). Express costs $97 (2-3 business days).
Colombia has a population of 52 million and a GDP near $314 billion. It hosts one of Latin America's largest freelancer and creator markets. Colombian founders increasingly build for the US market: software developers serving US clients, Amazon and Shopify sellers shipping Colombian coffee, fashion, and design products, content creators, and consultants invoicing American companies. To operate a US business entity, every one of them needs a US EIN. This guide explains how Colombian applicants get an EIN without an SSN, how to complete Form SS-4 correctly, and how to set up US banking and payments after approval.
| Factor | Colombia | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Common entity | SAS / Persona Natural | LLC / Corporation |
| Tax ID | NIT (10 digits) | EIN (XX-XXXXXXX) |
| Tax authority | DIAN | IRS |
| Sales tax | IVA (standard 19%) | State sales tax (varies) |
| Currency | Colombian Peso (COP, ~0.00025 USD) | USD |
| Population | 52,000,000 | 330M+ |
Use Cases
Why Do Colombian Entrepreneurs Need a US EIN?
Colombian entrepreneurs need a US EIN because a US LLC cannot open a bank account, accept US payments, or file US taxes without one. The EIN is the federal tax ID that links your Colombian-owned company to the US financial system.
Colombia's growing tech sector and its strong export industries in coffee, fashion, and digital services push founders toward the US market, where customers, payment processors, and dollars are concentrated. Here are the most common reasons Colombian applicants come to ein.so.
Software and Tech Startups
E-commerce and Amazon.com
Freelancers and Consultants
Content Creators and Digital Products
Step-by-Step
How Do Colombian Citizens Apply for a US EIN?
Colombian citizens submit IRS Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627, using a Colombia passport number in place of an SSN. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so the fax method is the only viable path for Colombian applicants. The IRS issues most correctly filed EINs within 4-7 business days.
Form Your US LLC
Gather Your Documents
Complete Form SS-4
Submit by Fax and Receive Your EIN
Colombia-Specific SS-4 Field Guide
| SS-4 Field | Colombian Entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your US LLC name |
| Line 4 (Address) | Your Colombia address (calle, ciudad, código postal) |
| Line 7a (Responsible party) | Your full name as on your passport |
| Line 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN) | Your Colombia passport number |
| Line 10 (Reason) | Started new business |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | E.g., "software," "e-commerce," "consulting" |
A common Colombian rejection cause is address formatting. The IRS silently rejects malformed international addresses, so the application returns no EIN and no clear reason. ein.so reformats your Colombia address to an IRS-accepted style. See the full SS-4 form guide and the complete EIN application process.
Cost & Timing
How Much Does an EIN From Colombia Cost?
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. ein.so charges $49 for Standard service (4-7 business days) or $97 for Express service (2-3 business days). The fee covers preparing your Form SS-4, faxing it to the IRS, and delivering your EIN by email.
Many Colombian applicants try the DIY route first and hit a wall. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, which non-residents do not have. The fax method works, but a single formatting error sends the form back with no EIN and no explanation. The phone line at 267-941-1099 needs an expensive international call during US business hours.
| Option | Price | Timing | SSN Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRS online tool | $0 | Instant | Yes (blocks non-residents) |
| DIY fax (855-215-1627) | $0 | 4-7 business days | No |
| ein.so Standard | $49 | 4-7 business days | No |
| ein.so Express | $97 | 2-3 business days | No |
For a full breakdown, see EIN cost and EIN processing time. Colombian applicants who also need an individual tax ID can use the ein.so ITIN service at $197 Standard or $297 Express.
Banking & Payments
How Do Colombian Entrepreneurs Use Their EIN for US Banking and Payments?
Colombian entrepreneurs use their EIN to open a US business bank account and connect US payment processors, which together give a Colombian-owned LLC full access to the dollar economy. Mercury and Relay approve most Colombian LLC owners remotely within a few business days.
US Business Bank Account
Stripe on a US Entity
PayPal Business (US)
Payoneer and Wise
Together, a US LLC, an EIN, and a US bank account let you invoice American clients in dollars, accept card payments through Stripe, and repatriate profits to your Colombian bank when the COP/USD rate works in your favor.
Tax Considerations
What Should Colombian Entrepreneurs Know About US and Colombian Taxes?
A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 plus a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for not filing is $25,000. The LLC itself often pays no US federal income tax on non-US-sourced income, but the information return is mandatory.
US Filing: Form 5472 + 1120
Colombian Reporting
US-Colombia Tax Position
BOI Report to FinCEN
ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. Work with a Colombian contador and a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters. Your EIN is the starting point for US tax compliance. See our EIN without SSN guide and EIN for non-residents.
Mistakes
What Mistakes Do Colombian Applicants Make on Form SS-4?
The top mistakes are using the IRS online tool, leaving Line 7b blank, and formatting the Colombia address in a way the IRS rejects. Each error costs days or weeks of delay and returns no EIN.
Avoid these SS-4 errors
- Using the IRS online tool, which requires an SSN and blocks non-residents
- Leaving Line 7b blank instead of entering your Colombia passport number
- Writing the Colombia address in a format the IRS cannot parse
- Selecting the wrong entity type on Line 8a or Line 9a
- Faxing to the wrong number instead of 855-215-1627
What a clean SS-4 includes
- US LLC legal name on Line 1, matching your formation documents
- Colombia passport number on Line 7b in place of an SSN
- A clean, IRS-accepted Colombia mailing address on Line 4
- A clear principal activity on Line 16, such as "e-commerce"
- The correct IRS fax number, 855-215-1627
ein.so checks every field before faxing, so your application is not silently rejected. Start your filing at the apply page.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN From Colombia
- Open a US bank account — Mercury, Relay, and Wise accept non-resident LLC owners
- File your BOI report — required for most LLCs, free at fincen.gov/boi
- Set up payments — connect your EIN to Stripe, PayPal, or Payoneer
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Sell on US platforms — Amazon, Shopify, Etsy
Learn more with the EIN application process, EIN without SSN, and EIN processing time.
Other country guides: India | UK | Canada | Nigeria | Pakistan | Philippines. Browse all on EIN for non-residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Colombian citizens get a US EIN without visiting America?
Yes. Colombian citizens apply for a US EIN entirely from Colombia. The IRS does not require US presence. You submit Form SS-4 by fax using your Colombia passport number on Line 7b. ein.so handles the full process remotely for $49 (Standard, 4-7 business days) or $97 (Express, 2-3 business days).
Do I need an SSN or ITIN to get an EIN from Colombia?
No. Colombian applicants do not need an SSN or ITIN. Your Colombia passport number serves as identification on Form SS-4 Line 7b. The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN, which is why Colombian applicants must use the fax method to 855-215-1627 that ein.so handles for you.
How long does it take for a Colombian applicant to receive an EIN?
Through ein.so, Standard processing takes 4-7 business days ($49) and Express takes 2-3 business days ($97). The DIY fax method takes 4-7 business days when the form is error-free. The IRS phone line (267-941-1099) works same-day but requires costly international calls during US business hours.
How much does an EIN from Colombia cost?
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. ein.so charges $49 for Standard service (4-7 business days) and $97 for Express (2-3 business days). The fee covers preparing your Form SS-4, faxing it to the IRS at 855-215-1627, and delivering your EIN by email. No SSN or ITIN is required.
What is the EIN equivalent in Colombia?
The closest Colombian equivalent is the NIT (Número de Identificación Tributaria), a 10-digit tax ID issued by DIAN. The NIT has no standing in the United States. You need a separate US EIN for your US business entity to open bank accounts, file US taxes, and accept US payments.
Can Colombian freelancers use a US LLC and EIN?
Yes. Many Colombian freelancers form a US LLC to invoice US clients in dollars, access US payment rails, and present a US business identity. The US LLC and EIN sit alongside your Colombian registration. You continue to declare income in Colombia under DIAN rules. Confirm your obligations with a contador.
Can I sell on Amazon.com from Colombia with an EIN?
Yes. Amazon requires a US tax identification number to complete the seller tax interview on Amazon.com. Colombian sellers use their US EIN to register through their US LLC, access FBA warehouses in the US, and reach American customers. The EIN must be issued before you start the tax interview.
Does a foreign-owned US LLC owned from Colombia file US taxes?
A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 plus a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for not filing is $25,000. This is an information return, not always a tax bill. Confirm your specific tax position with a US CPA experienced in non-resident matters. ein.so does not give tax advice.
Can I open a US bank account from Colombia with my EIN?
Yes. With your EIN and LLC documents, you open accounts at Mercury, Relay, and Wise remotely. You receive US account and routing numbers for ACH and domestic wires. Some traditional banks require an in-person visit. Your EIN is the first requirement before any US bank application.
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