Country Guide
EIN for Israeli Entrepreneurs
Apply for your US EIN from Israel without an SSN or ITIN. ein.so handles the IRS fax filing for Israeli startup founders, Amazon sellers, and freelancers. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
Last updated: June 2, 2026
Israeli entrepreneurs can get a US EIN by submitting IRS Form SS-4 by fax. Your Israeli 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).
Israel is one of the world's densest startup ecosystems, with a population of 10 million and a GDP near $525 billion. Israeli founders build for the US market from day one: SaaS and cybersecurity startups, Amazon and Shopify sellers, app developers, and consultants invoicing American clients. Each one needs a US EIN to run a US business entity. This guide explains how Israeli applicants get an EIN without an SSN, how to complete Form SS-4 from Israel, and how to set up US banking, payments, and tax compliance after approval.
| Factor | Israel | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Common entity | Chevra Ba'am (Ltd) / Osek | LLC / Corporation |
| Business ID | Company Number (9 digits) | EIN (XX-XXXXXXX) |
| Tax authority | Israel Tax Authority | IRS |
| VAT / sales tax | VAT (Ma'am, standard rate) | State sales tax (varies) |
| Currency | Israeli Shekel (ILS, ~0.28 USD) | USD |
| EIN cost from IRS | $0 | $0 |
Use Cases
Why Do Israeli Entrepreneurs Need a US EIN?
Israeli 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 Israeli-owned company to the US financial system.
Israel's concentration of tech, e-commerce, and digital talent pushes founders toward the US, where customers, payment processors, and capital sit. Here are the most common reasons Israeli applicants come to ein.so.
SaaS, Cyber, and Tech Startups
E-commerce and Amazon.com
Freelancers and Consultants
App and Content Creators
Every use case shares one requirement: the EIN. See the full list of reasons on EIN for non-residents and learn the federal rules on how to get an EIN.
Step-by-Step
How Do Israeli Citizens Apply for a US EIN?
Israeli citizens submit IRS Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627, using an Israeli passport number in place of an SSN on Line 7b. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so the fax method is the only path for Israeli 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
Israel-Specific SS-4 Field Guide
| SS-4 Field | Israeli Entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your US LLC name |
| Line 4 (Address) | Your Israeli address (street, city, postal code) |
| Line 7a (Responsible party) | Your full name as on your passport |
| Line 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN) | Your Israeli passport number |
| Line 10 (Reason) | Started new business |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | E.g., "software," "e-commerce," "consulting" |
A common rejection cause is address and name formatting that does not map cleanly to the SS-4 layout. The IRS rejects malformed international applications without a clear reason. ein.so reformats your Israeli details to an IRS-accepted style. See the full SS-4 form guide and the complete EIN application process.
SSN, Cost & Timing
How Do Israeli Applicants Get an EIN Without an SSN?
Israeli applicants get an EIN without an SSN by faxing Form SS-4 and entering their passport number on Line 7b. No SSN or ITIN is needed for a non-resident. The IRS online tool is the only method that demands an SSN, so Israeli applicants skip it entirely.
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. ein.so charges a service fee to prepare the form correctly and handle the international fax filing, which removes the main causes of delay and rejection. The table below compares your three options from Israel.
| Method | Cost | Timing | SSN Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| ein.so Standard | $49 | 4-7 business days | No |
| ein.so Express | $97 | 2-3 business days | No |
| DIY fax (855-215-1627) | $0 | 4-7 business days | No |
| IRS phone (267-941-1099) | $0 | Same call | No |
| IRS online tool | $0 | Instant | Yes (blocked for Israelis) |
The DIY fax route is free but unforgiving: one formatting error restarts the wait. The IRS phone line works but requires an international call during US business hours, an hour ahead-of-Israel gap, and an agent walking through the SS-4 live. Read more on EIN cost and EIN processing time, and confirm the no-SSN rules on the EIN without SSN guide.
Do not use the IRS online tool
- The online EIN assistant rejects every applicant without an SSN or ITIN.
- Israeli applicants must use the fax method to 855-215-1627 instead.
- ein.so files by fax for you, so you avoid the online dead-end.
Banking & Payments
How Do Israeli Entrepreneurs Use Their EIN for US Banking and Payments?
Israeli entrepreneurs use their EIN to open a US business bank account and connect US payment processors, which together give an Israeli-owned LLC full access to the dollar economy. Mercury and Relay approve most Israeli LLC owners remotely within a few business days.
US Business Bank Account
Stripe on a US Entity
PayPal Business (US)
Wise Multi-Currency
Together, a US LLC, an EIN, and a US bank account let you invoice American clients in dollars, accept card payments, and repatriate profits to Israel on your own schedule. The EIN is always the first item every bank and processor asks for.
Tax & Compliance
What Should Israeli Entrepreneurs Know About US Taxes and Form 5472?
A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files IRS Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year, and the penalty for missing it is $25,000. This is an information return, not always a tax bill. A single-member LLC owned by an Israeli resident is usually a disregarded entity for US federal income tax.
US Filing: Form 5472 + 1120
BOI Report to FinCEN
Israeli Reporting
ITIN If You Need One
ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. Work with an Israeli accountant and a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters. Confirm every tax specific with a CPA before you file. Your EIN is the starting point for US tax compliance. See EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents for related steps.
Comparison
What Is the EIN Equivalent in Israel?
The EIN equivalent in Israel is the Company Number, a 9-digit identifier issued by the Israel Corporations Authority. It has no standing in the United States. Israeli founders need a separate US EIN for any US business entity, regardless of their Israeli registration.
The two identifiers serve different governments and different banking systems. Your Israeli Company Number cannot open a US bank account, complete a US tax interview, or appear on a US tax return. The table below shows how they line up.
| Attribute | Israel Company Number | US EIN |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Israel Corporations Authority | IRS |
| Format | 9 digits | XX-XXXXXXX |
| Used for | Israeli company filings | US bank, payments, taxes |
| Cost | Set by Israel | $0 from the IRS |
| Valid in US | No | Yes |
| Needs SSN | No | No (passport on Line 7b) |
Treat the EIN as the US-side key that unlocks American banking and payment rails. You keep your Israeli Company Number for Israeli obligations and use the EIN for everything US-based. Start the EIN now on the apply page.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN From Israel
- 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 on how to get an EIN, EIN cost, and EIN processing time.
Other country guides: India | UK | France | Canada | Nigeria | Pakistan. Browse all on EIN for non-residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Israeli citizens get a US EIN without visiting America?
Yes. Israeli citizens apply for a US EIN entirely from Israel. The IRS does not require you to be present in the United States. You submit Form SS-4 by fax using your Israeli 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 Israel?
No. Israeli applicants do not need an SSN or ITIN. Your Israeli passport number serves as identification on Form SS-4 Line 7b. The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN, which is why Israeli applicants must use the fax method to 855-215-1627 that ein.so handles for you. See our EIN without SSN guide.
How long does it take for an Israeli 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 SS-4 is error-free. Calling the IRS at 267-941-1099 from Israel means international calls during US business hours, with long hold times across the time-zone gap.
Does the IRS charge Israeli applicants for an EIN?
No. The IRS charges $0 for an EIN regardless of your country. ein.so charges $49 (Standard) or $97 (Express) to prepare your Form SS-4 correctly, fax it to the IRS, and return your EIN confirmation by email. The fee covers error-free preparation and the international fax filing, not the EIN itself.
What is the EIN equivalent in Israel?
The closest Israeli equivalent is the Company Number (Mispar Chevra), a 9-digit identifier issued by the Israel Corporations Authority, plus your VAT (Ma'am) registration with the Israel Tax Authority. Neither has any standing in the United States. You need a separate US EIN for a US business entity, no matter your Israeli registration.
Can Israeli startup founders use a US LLC and EIN?
Yes. Many Israeli startup founders form a US LLC or C-corporation to bill US customers in dollars, integrate Stripe on a US entity, and prepare for US investors who prefer a US holding structure. The EIN is required before opening a bank account or running payments. Your US entity sits alongside your Israeli company.
Can I sell on Amazon.com from Israel with an EIN?
Yes. Amazon requires a US tax identification number to complete the seller tax interview on Amazon.com. Israeli sellers use their US EIN to register through their US LLC, access FBA warehouses in the US, and reach American buyers. The EIN replaces the SSN the tax interview asks for.
Can I open a US bank account from Israel with an EIN?
Yes. With your EIN and LLC documents, you can open accounts at Mercury, Relay, and Wise remotely from Israel. You receive US account and routing numbers for ACH and domestic wires. Some traditional banks require an in-person visit, but fintech banks approve most Israeli LLC owners online within a few business days.
Does ein.so give tax advice to Israeli applicants?
No. ein.so prepares and files your Form SS-4 to obtain the EIN and does not provide tax advice. A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year, with a $25,000 penalty for non-filing. Confirm your US and Israeli tax duties with a CPA and an Israeli accountant.
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