Industry Guide
EIN for Musicians & Bands
Music businesses (touring, streaming, licensing) need an EIN for royalty payments and business banking. Learn when you need an EIN and how to get one. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
Musicians and bands need a US EIN when they operate as an LLC, corporation, or partnership, hire employees, or collect royalties through a US business entity. The EIN is the federal tax ID issued by the IRS. The number is free. Non-US artists apply by faxing Form SS-4 with a passport number, no SSN required. ein.so prepares and files your SS-4 for $49 Standard (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days).
The music business runs on payments from many sources: streaming royalties, sync licensing, live touring, merchandise, publishing advances, and session work. Each payer wants a tax identification number before they release funds. For a US business entity, that number is the EIN. Solo artists, bands operating as partnerships, producers, labels, and management companies all attach an EIN to their US entity to receive income, open banking, and file taxes. This guide explains when musicians need an EIN, how non-US artists get one without an SSN, the Form SS-4 process, and how to use the EIN for royalty payments and US banking.
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Federal tax ID | EIN (format XX-XXXXXXX) |
| Issuing authority | IRS |
| IRS cost | $0 |
| ein.so Standard | $49 (4-7 business days) |
| ein.so Express | $97 (2-3 business days) |
| SS-4 fax number | 855-215-1627 |
| Non-resident ID | Passport number on Line 7b |
Do You Need
Do Musicians and Bands Need an EIN?
Musicians and bands need an EIN when they form an LLC, corporation, or partnership, hire employees, or receive royalty payments through a US business entity. Solo artists with no entity can use an SSN, but an EIN protects that SSN on W-9 forms shared with labels and studios.
| Situation | EIN Needed? |
|---|---|
| Music LLC or corporation | Yes (required) |
| Band operating as a partnership | Yes (required) |
| Solo artist sole proprietor | Recommended |
| Music business with employees | Yes (required) |
| Non-US artist with US LLC | Yes (required) |
| Hobby music income only | No |
A band that splits income among members operates as a partnership for US tax purposes. A partnership must have an EIN to file Form 1065 and issue Schedule K-1s to each member. The EIN lets the band collect royalties and tour income under one business identity, then distribute shares to members. This separation prevents one member's SSN from carrying the whole group's financial paperwork.
Why Musicians Get an EIN
- Royalty payments — Distributors and PROs request a US tax ID before paying streaming and performance royalties
- Business banking — Open a business bank account for tour, merch, and royalty income
- Privacy — Keep your SSN off W-9 forms shared with studios, labels, and venues
- Sync licensing — Receive sync fees from film, TV, and ad placements under a business entity
- Credibility — Present a professional US business identity to labels and platforms
Use Cases
Why Do Music Professionals Need a US EIN?
Music professionals need a US EIN because a US LLC or partnership cannot receive royalty payments, open a bank account, or file US taxes without one. The EIN links your music business to the US payment and tax systems. Each music revenue stream has a payer that requires the number.
Streaming and Distribution
Touring and Live Performance
Sync Licensing and Publishing
Session Work and Production
How to Get
How Do Non-US Musicians Apply for a US EIN?
Non-US musicians apply by submitting IRS Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627, using a 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 foreign 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
Music-Specific SS-4 Field Guide
| SS-4 Field | Music Business Entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your US LLC or band entity name |
| Line 4 (Address) | Your foreign mailing address |
| Line 7a (Responsible party) | Your full name as on your passport |
| Line 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN) | Your passport number |
| Line 10 (Reason for applying) | Started new business |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | "Entertainment," "music production," or "recording" |
The IRS process for foreign applicants is stable and well documented. The most common rejection cause is address formatting, because international addresses do not map cleanly to the SS-4 fields. See the full SS-4 form guide and the complete EIN application process. Compare all methods on the EIN cost and EIN processing time pages.
Apply Methods
How to Get an EIN for a Music Business
You get an EIN four ways: online, by fax, by phone, or through ein.so. The IRS charges $0 for the EIN itself. Non-US artists without an SSN cannot use the online tool and must file by fax.
| Method | Speed | Cost | Works Without SSN? |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRS online | Instant | Free | No (SSN required) |
| IRS fax (DIY) | 4-7 days | Free | Yes |
| IRS phone | Same day | Free | Limited |
| ein.so Standard | 4-7 days | $49 | Yes |
| ein.so Express | 2-3 days | $97 | Yes |
Best Business Structure for a Music Career
Music professionals choose between two common structures:
- Sole proprietorship — Simplest setup, no formation needed, but no liability protection and the SSN appears on tax forms
- LLC — Liability protection, professional credibility, enables business banking, and required for non-residents seeking a US entity
Bands typically form an LLC or partnership so income flows through one entity. See who needs an EIN and EIN without SSN for full eligibility details. Non-residents should review EIN for non-residents.
Banking & Payments
How Do Musicians Use Their EIN for Royalties and Banking?
Musicians use their EIN to open a US business bank account and connect payment processors that collect royalties, sync fees, and tour income. Mercury and Relay approve many non-resident LLC owners remotely within a few business days. The EIN appears on every payout form.
US Business Bank Account
Royalty and Distribution Payouts
Payment Processors for Merch
Splitting Income Among Members
Together, a US LLC, an EIN, and a US bank account let a music business collect royalties in dollars, accept merch and ticket payments, and hold income until members are paid. This structure keeps personal and business finances separate, which the IRS expects for a legitimate music business.
Tax Considerations
What Should Music Professionals Know About US Taxes?
A single-member US LLC owned by a non-resident musician is usually a disregarded entity for US federal income tax. The LLC itself pays no US federal income tax on non-US-sourced income in many cases. Foreign-owned single-member LLCs still carry annual information reporting duties with steep penalties.
Form 5472 + 1120
Partnership Filing for Bands
US-Sourced Royalty Income
BOI Report to FinCEN
ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. Music royalty taxation crosses borders and involves withholding, treaties, and collecting societies. Work with a CPA familiar with non-resident entertainment income. Your EIN is the starting point for US tax compliance. See the EIN without SSN guide and EIN for non-residents.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN for Your Music Business
- 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 royalty payouts — add your EIN to distributor and PRO payout forms
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned single-member LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Review the basics — how to get an EIN, EIN cost, and EIN processing time
Related industry guides: Writers | Web Developers | General Contractors | Restaurants. Browse all on what you can do with an EIN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do musicians and bands need an EIN?
Yes, if you operate as an LLC, corporation, partnership, or hire employees. An EIN is the federal tax ID required on US business tax returns and W-9 forms. Bands that split income as a partnership need an EIN. Solo artists registering streaming royalties or signing publishing deals use an EIN to separate business and personal finances. ein.so files Form SS-4 for $49.
How do musicians get an EIN without an SSN?
Non-US musicians get an EIN by submitting IRS Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627. You enter your passport number on Line 7b instead of an SSN. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so it is blocked for foreign applicants. ein.so prepares and faxes the SS-4 for you. Standard delivery is 4-7 business days ($49); Express is 2-3 business days ($97).
Can a non-US musician or band get a US EIN?
Yes. A non-US musician or band with a US LLC gets an EIN entirely from abroad. The IRS does not require you to visit the United States or hold a US visa. Your foreign passport number serves as your ID on Form SS-4 Line 7b. ein.so handles the full fax filing remotely for $49 Standard or $97 Express.
How much does an EIN cost for a musician?
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. The number itself is always free. ein.so charges $49 for Standard filing (4-7 business days) or $97 for Express (2-3 business days) to prepare Form SS-4, fax it to the IRS, and deliver your EIN by email. The cost is identical regardless of your music genre or business type.
Do session musicians need an EIN for W-9 forms?
Session musicians who receive 1099 payments can use an EIN instead of an SSN on a W-9 form. This protects your Social Security number from appearing on documents shared with studios, labels, and contractors. An EIN signals a professional business identity. Foreign session players working through a US LLC use an EIN to invoice US studios and accept payment.
Do bands need an EIN for streaming royalties?
Bands collecting streaming royalties through a US business entity use an EIN to receive payments from distributors and performing rights organizations. Platforms and royalty collectors request a US tax ID on payout forms. An EIN attached to your LLC or partnership lets the band receive consolidated royalty income under one business identity instead of individual member SSNs.
What forms does a foreign-owned music LLC file each year?
A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files 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 the LLC and its foreign owner. Most US LLCs also file a BOI report with FinCEN. Confirm your full filing duties with a CPA familiar with non-resident music income.
Can I open a US bank account for my band with an EIN?
Yes. A US business bank account requires your EIN, LLC formation documents, and a passport. Mercury and Relay approve many non-resident LLC owners remotely within a few business days. A dedicated band account separates tour income, merch sales, and royalty payments from personal funds and simplifies splitting revenue among members at tax time.
Does an EIN replace my home country music registration?
No. A US EIN identifies your US business entity to the IRS only. It does not replace your home country tax ID, VAT number, or collecting society membership. You continue to declare income and pay tax under your home country rules. The US EIN sits alongside your local registration. Confirm cross-border music royalty taxation with a CPA.
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