Country Guide
EIN for Italian Entrepreneurs
Apply for your US EIN from Italy without an SSN or ITIN. ein.so handles the IRS fax filing for Italian artisans, fashion and food exporters, and Etsy/Amazon sellers. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
Last updated: June 2, 2026
Italian entrepreneurs can get a US EIN by submitting IRS Form SS-4 by fax. Your Italian 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).
Italy is a global leader in fashion, food and wine, leather goods, furniture, and design, with a GDP of $2.3 trillion and a population of 59 million. "Made in Italy" carries unique value with American buyers, and Italian founders increasingly sell directly into the US market through Etsy, Amazon.com, and Shopify, alongside a growing community of Italian SaaS and digital entrepreneurs. Each needs a US EIN to run a US entity. This guide explains how Italian applicants get an EIN without an SSN, how the US-Italy tax treaty interacts with a US LLC, and how to set up US banking and payments.
| Factor | Italy | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Common entity | Ditta individuale / SRL | LLC / Corporation |
| Business ID | Codice Fiscale / Partita IVA | EIN (XX-XXXXXXX) |
| Tax authority | Agenzia delle Entrate | IRS |
| VAT / sales tax | IVA (standard 22%) | State sales tax (varies) |
| Currency | Euro (EUR, ~1.08 USD) | USD |
| US tax treaty | Yes (US-Italy income tax treaty) | — |
Use Cases
Why Do Italian Entrepreneurs Need a US EIN?
Italian 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 connects your Italian-owned company to the US financial and marketplace systems.
Italy's export strengths and artisan economy draw founders to American customers, who pay a premium for authentic Italian products and design. Here are the most common reasons Italian applicants come to ein.so:
Made-in-Italy E-commerce
Food, Wine, and Specialty Goods
SaaS and Digital Products
Freelancers and Consultants
Step-by-Step
How Do Italian Citizens Apply for a US EIN?
Italian citizens submit IRS Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627, using an Italian 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
Italy-Specific SS-4 Field Guide
| SS-4 Field | Italian Entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your US LLC name |
| Line 4 (Address) | Your Italian address (via, CAP, comune, provincia) |
| Line 7a (Responsible party) | Your full name as on your passport |
| Line 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN) | Your Italian passport number |
| Line 10 (Reason) | Started new business |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | E.g., "e-commerce," "fashion," "software" |
The most common Italian rejection cause is address formatting: the CAP, comune, and provincia do not map cleanly to the SS-4 layout, and the IRS silently rejects malformed international addresses. ein.so reformats Italian addresses to an IRS-accepted style. See the SS-4 form guide and the complete EIN process.
Banking & Payments
How Do Italian Entrepreneurs Use Their EIN for US Banking and Payments?
Italian entrepreneurs use their EIN to open a US business bank account and connect US payment processors, which lets a Made-in-Italy brand collect USD directly from American customers. Mercury and Relay approve most Italian LLC owners remotely.
US Business Bank Account
Stripe and Shopify Payments
Etsy and Amazon.com
Wise and SEPA
Together, a US LLC, an EIN, and a US bank account let Italian sellers price in dollars, accept US cards, and bring profits home to Italy on a favorable EUR/USD rate.
Tax Considerations
What Should Italian Entrepreneurs Know About US and Italian Taxes?
A single-member US LLC owned by an Italian 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-Italy income tax treaty helps prevent double taxation and can reduce US withholding on certain passive income.
US Filing: Form 5472 + 1120
US-Italy Tax Treaty
Italian Reporting (Quadro RW)
BOI Report to FinCEN
ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. Work with an Italian commercialista and a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters. Your EIN is the starting point for US tax compliance. See EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN From Italy
- 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: France | Germany | Spain | UK | India | Canada. Browse all on EIN for non-residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Italian citizens get a US EIN without visiting America?
Yes. Italian citizens can apply for a US EIN entirely from Italy. The IRS does not require US presence. You submit Form SS-4 by fax using your Italian passport number on Line 7b. ein.so handles the process remotely for $49 (Standard) or $97 (Express).
Do I need an SSN or Codice Fiscale to get a US EIN?
No. You do not need an SSN, ITIN, or Codice Fiscale for a US EIN. Your Italian passport number serves as identification on Form SS-4 Line 7b. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so Italian applicants use the fax method that ein.so handles.
How long does it take for an Italian applicant to receive an EIN?
Through ein.so, Standard processing takes 4-7 business days ($49) and Express takes 2-3 business days ($97). DIY fax takes 4-7 business days if error-free. Calling the IRS from Italy means international calls during US business hours.
Does the US-Italy tax treaty help me?
Yes. The US-Italy income tax treaty helps prevent double taxation and can reduce US withholding on certain dividends, interest, and royalties. It does not remove your Italian tax obligations. A single-member US LLC owned by an Italian resident is usually a disregarded entity for US federal income tax.
What is the EIN equivalent in Italy?
The closest Italian equivalents are the Codice Fiscale (16-character individual tax code) and the Partita IVA (11-digit VAT number) for businesses. Neither has standing in the US. You need a separate US EIN for a US business entity.
Can Italian artisans sell Made-in-Italy products in the US with an EIN?
Yes. Italian artisans and brands in fashion, leather, food, and design use a US LLC and EIN to sell on Etsy, Amazon.com, and Shopify to US customers, accept USD payments, and use US fulfillment. The EIN is required for the US seller tax interview.
Can I open a US bank account from Italy?
Yes. With your EIN and LLC documents, Mercury, Relay, and Wise accept Italian LLC owners remotely. A US business account lets you receive USD without converting through your Italian SEPA account. Your EIN is the first requirement.
Does ein.so help with Italian address formatting on the SS-4?
Yes. Italian addresses use a CAP (5-digit postal code), comune, and provincia that do not map cleanly to the SS-4 fields. ein.so reformats your Italian address to an IRS-accepted style so the application is not silently rejected.
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