Country Guide
EIN for Irish Entrepreneurs
Apply for your US EIN from Ireland without an SSN or ITIN. ein.so handles the IRS fax filing for Irish freelancers, SaaS founders, and Amazon sellers. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
Last updated: June 2, 2026
Irish entrepreneurs can get a US EIN by submitting IRS Form SS-4 by fax. Your Irish 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 costs $49 (4-7 business days). Express costs $97 (2-3 business days).
Ireland is a major European tech and export hub, home to the European headquarters of Google, Apple, and Meta. Irish founders build for the US market every day: SaaS startups, Shopify and Amazon sellers, content creators, and consultants invoicing American clients. Each one needs a US EIN to run a US business entity. This guide explains how Irish applicants get an EIN without an SSN, how to complete Form SS-4 from Ireland, and how to set up US banking and payments after approval. The IRS charges $0 for the EIN itself.
| Factor | Ireland | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Common entity | Sole trader / Limited company | LLC / Corporation |
| Business ID | CRO Number / Tax Reference Number | EIN (XX-XXXXXXX) |
| Tax authority | Revenue Commissioners | IRS |
| VAT / sales tax | VAT (standard 23%) | State sales tax (varies) |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) | USD |
| Online EIN tool access | No (requires SSN) | Yes (with SSN) |
Use Cases
Why Do Irish Entrepreneurs Need a US EIN?
Irish 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 9-digit federal tax ID that links your Irish-owned company to the US financial system.
Ireland's strong startup scene and English-language advantage push founders toward the US market, where customers, payment processors, and capital concentrate. These are the most common reasons Irish applicants come to ein.so.
SaaS and Tech Startups
E-commerce and Amazon.com
Freelancers and Consultants
Content Creators and Digital Products
See the full EIN for non-residents overview and learn how to get an EIN step by step.
Step-by-Step
How Do Irish Citizens Apply for a US EIN?
Irish citizens submit IRS Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627, using an Irish passport number in place of an SSN. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so the fax method is the only viable path. 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
Ireland-Specific SS-4 Field Guide
| SS-4 Field | Irish Entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your US LLC name |
| Line 4 (Address) | Your Irish address (street, town, county, Eircode) |
| Line 7a (Responsible party) | Your full name as on your passport |
| Line 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN) | Your Irish passport number |
| Line 10 (Reason) | Started new business |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | E.g., "software," "e-commerce," "consulting" |
A common Irish rejection cause is address formatting. The Eircode and county layout does not map cleanly to the SS-4 fields, and the IRS rejects malformed international addresses without explanation. ein.so reformats your Irish address to an IRS-accepted style. See the full SS-4 form guide and the EIN without SSN guide.
Cost & Timeline
How Much Does an EIN Cost and How Long Does It Take From Ireland?
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN, and ein.so charges $49 for Standard service or $97 for Express. Standard delivers in 4-7 business days. Express delivers in 2-3 business days. The fee covers SS-4 preparation, error checking, IRS fax filing, and email delivery.
IRS Fee
ein.so Standard, $49
ein.so Express, $97
DIY Fax, $0 Plus Effort
| Method | Cost | Timeline | SSN required |
|---|---|---|---|
| ein.so Standard | $49 | 4-7 business days | No |
| ein.so Express | $97 | 2-3 business days | No |
| DIY fax to 855-215-1627 | $0 | 4-7 business days | No |
| IRS online tool | $0 | Instant | Yes (blocks Irish applicants) |
Banking & Payments
How Do Irish Entrepreneurs Use Their EIN for US Banking and Payments?
Irish entrepreneurs use their EIN to open a US business bank account and connect US payment processors, which together give an Irish-owned LLC full access to the dollar economy. Mercury and Relay approve most Irish 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 Irish bank when the rate is favorable.
Tax Considerations
What Should Irish Entrepreneurs Know About US and Irish Taxes?
A single-member US LLC owned by an Irish resident is usually a disregarded entity for US federal income tax, meaning the LLC pays no US federal income tax on non-US-sourced income. The LLC must still file an annual information return. Confirm your exact position with a US CPA.
US Filing: Form 5472 + 1120
Irish Reporting
Avoiding Double Taxation
BOI Report to FinCEN
ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. Work with an Irish tax adviser and a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters. Your EIN is the starting point for US tax compliance. The ITIN service is separate, costing $197 standard or $297 express, and is only needed for personal US tax filing situations, not for forming an LLC.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN From Ireland
- 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 about the EIN application process, EIN without an SSN, and EIN cost.
Other country guides: India | UK | France | Canada | Nigeria | Pakistan. Browse all on EIN for non-residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Irish citizens get a US EIN without visiting America?
Yes. Irish citizens can apply for a US EIN entirely from Ireland. The IRS does not require you to be present in the United States. You submit Form SS-4 by fax using your Irish 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 Ireland?
No. Irish applicants do not need an SSN or ITIN. Your Irish passport number serves as your identification on Form SS-4 Line 7b. The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN, which is why Irish applicants must use the fax method to 855-215-1627 that ein.so handles for you.
How long does it take for an Irish 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 SS-4 is error-free. Calling the IRS from Ireland on 267-941-1099 means costly international calls during US business hours with long holds.
How much does an EIN cost for an Irish entrepreneur?
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 SS-4 preparation, IRS fax filing, error checking, and delivery of your EIN by email. See the full EIN cost breakdown for details.
What is the EIN equivalent in Ireland?
The closest Irish equivalents are your CRO Number from the Companies Registration Office and your Tax Reference Number from the Revenue Commissioners. Neither has any standing in the United States. You need a separate US EIN to open a US bank account, file US taxes, and run a US business entity.
Can Irish freelancers and sole traders use a US LLC and EIN?
Yes. Many Irish freelancers and sole traders 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 Irish sole trader registration. You continue to declare income in Ireland to the Revenue Commissioners under Irish rules.
Can I sell on Amazon.com from Ireland with an EIN?
Yes. Amazon requires a US tax identification number to complete the seller tax interview on Amazon.com. Irish sellers use their US EIN to register through their US LLC, access FBA warehouses in the US, and reach American customers. Your EIN replaces the SSN requirement in the Amazon tax interview.
Can I open a US bank account from Ireland with an EIN?
Yes. With your EIN and LLC formation documents, you can open US accounts at Mercury, Relay, and Wise remotely from Ireland. You receive US account and routing numbers for ACH and domestic wires. Your EIN is the first requirement before any US bank application proceeds.
Does a foreign-owned US LLC from Ireland have to file Form 5472?
Yes. A foreign-owned single-member US LLC must file Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for not filing is $25,000. This is an information return reporting transactions between you and the LLC. Confirm your specific filing duties with a US CPA experienced in non-resident matters.
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