Country Guide
EIN for French Entrepreneurs
Apply for your US EIN from France without an SSN or ITIN. ein.so handles the IRS fax filing for French freelancers, SaaS founders, and Amazon sellers. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
Last updated: June 2, 2026
French entrepreneurs can get a US EIN by submitting IRS Form SS-4 by fax. Your French 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, and delivers your EIN by email. Standard processing costs $49 (4-7 business days). Express costs $97 (2-3 business days).
France is the European Union's second-largest economy, with a GDP of $3.0 trillion and a population of 68 million. French founders increasingly build for the US market: SaaS startups from the "French Tech" ecosystem, Shopify and Amazon sellers shipping French design and beauty products, content creators, and consultants invoicing American clients. To operate a US business entity, every one of them needs a US EIN. This guide explains how French applicants get an EIN without an SSN, how the US-France tax treaty interacts with a US LLC, and how to set up US banking and payments after approval.
| Factor | France | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Common entity | Micro-entreprise / SAS / SARL | LLC / Corporation |
| Business ID | SIREN (9) / SIRET (14) | EIN (XX-XXXXXXX) |
| Tax authority | DGFiP | IRS |
| VAT / sales tax | TVA (standard 20%) | State sales tax (varies) |
| Currency | Euro (EUR, ~1.08 USD) | USD |
| US tax treaty | Yes (US-France income tax treaty) | — |
Use Cases
Why Do French Entrepreneurs Need a US EIN?
French 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 French-owned company to the US financial system.
France's startup scene (La French Tech) and its strong export sectors in fashion, beauty, food, and design push founders toward the US market, where customers, payment processors, and capital are concentrated. Here are the most common reasons French applicants come to ein.so:
SaaS and Tech Startups
E-commerce and Amazon.com
Freelancers and Consultants
Content Creators and Digital Products
Step-by-Step
How Do French Citizens Apply for a US EIN?
French citizens submit IRS Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627, using a French passport number in place of an SSN. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so the fax method is the only viable path for French 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
France-Specific SS-4 Field Guide
| SS-4 Field | French Entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your US LLC name |
| Line 4 (Address) | Your French address (rue, code postal, commune) |
| Line 7a (Responsible party) | Your full name as on your passport |
| Line 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN) | Your French passport number |
| Line 10 (Reason) | Started new business |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | E.g., "software," "e-commerce," "consulting" |
The most common French rejection cause is address formatting. The 5-digit code postal and commune do not map cleanly to the SS-4 layout, and the IRS silently rejects malformed international addresses. ein.so reformats French addresses to an IRS-accepted style. See the full SS-4 form guide and the complete EIN application process.
Banking & Payments
How Do French Entrepreneurs Use Their EIN for US Banking and Payments?
French entrepreneurs use their EIN to open a US business bank account and connect US payment processors, which together give a French-owned LLC full access to the dollar economy. Mercury and Relay approve most French LLC owners remotely within a few business days.
US Business Bank Account
Stripe on a US Entity
PayPal Business (US)
Wise and SEPA Transfers
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 French bank when the EUR/USD rate is favorable.
Tax Considerations
What Should French Entrepreneurs Know About US and French Taxes?
A single-member US LLC owned by a French resident is usually a disregarded entity for US federal income tax, meaning the LLC itself pays no US federal income tax on non-US-sourced income. The US-France income tax treaty helps prevent double taxation and can reduce US withholding on certain passive income.
US Filing: Form 5472 + 1120
US-France Tax Treaty
French Reporting
BOI Report to FinCEN
ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. Work with a French expert-comptable 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.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN From France
- 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
Other country guides: India | UK | Germany | Italy | Spain | Canada. Browse all on EIN for non-residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can French citizens get a US EIN without visiting America?
Yes. French citizens can apply for a US EIN entirely from France. The IRS does not require you to be present in the United States. You submit Form SS-4 by fax using your French passport number on Line 7b. ein.so handles the entire process remotely for $49 (Standard) or $97 (Express).
Do I need an SSN or ITIN to get an EIN from France?
No. French applicants do not need an SSN or ITIN. Your French passport number serves as your identification on Form SS-4 Line 7b. The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN, which is why French applicants must use the fax method that ein.so handles for you.
How long does it take for a French 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 if the form is error-free. Calling the IRS from France means costly international calls during US business hours.
Does the US-France tax treaty reduce my taxes?
The US-France income tax treaty can reduce US withholding on certain dividends, interest, and royalties, and it helps prevent double taxation. It does not eliminate your French tax obligations. A single-member US LLC owned by a French resident is usually a disregarded entity for US federal income tax.
What is the EIN equivalent in France?
The closest French equivalents are the SIREN (9-digit company identifier) and SIRET (14-digit establishment number) from INSEE, plus your TVA intracommunautaire (VAT) number. None of these have any standing in the US. You need a separate US EIN for a US business entity.
Can French freelancers and auto-entrepreneurs use a US LLC and EIN?
Yes. Many French freelancers and auto-entrepreneurs form a US LLC to access US payment rails, invoice US clients in dollars, and present a US business identity. The US LLC and EIN sit alongside your French micro-entreprise; you continue to declare income in France under French rules.
Can I sell on Amazon.com from France with an EIN?
Yes. Amazon requires a US tax identification number to complete the seller tax interview on Amazon.com. French sellers expanding from Amazon.fr use their US EIN to register through their US LLC, access FBA in the US, and reach American customers.
Does ein.so support French applicants with address formatting?
Yes. French addresses use a 5-digit code postal and commune format that does not map cleanly to the SS-4 fields. ein.so reformats your French address to an IRS-accepted style so your application is not silently rejected.
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