Country Guide
EIN for Taiwanese Entrepreneurs
Apply for your US EIN from Taiwan without an SSN or ITIN. ein.so handles the IRS fax filing for Taiwanese freelancers, hardware founders, and Amazon sellers. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
Last updated: June 2, 2026
Taiwanese entrepreneurs can get a US EIN by submitting IRS Form SS-4 by fax. Your Taiwan 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).
Taiwan is one of Asia's most export-driven economies, with a GDP near $790 billion and a population of 24 million. Taiwanese founders build hardware, semiconductors, and consumer electronics, and they increasingly sell directly into the US market through Amazon, Shopify, and SaaS platforms. To operate a US business entity, every one of them needs a US EIN. This guide explains how Taiwanese applicants get an EIN without an SSN, how to complete Form SS-4 correctly, and how to set up US banking and payments after approval.
| Factor | Taiwan | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Common entity | Sole proprietor / Company Limited | LLC / Corporation |
| Business ID | UBN (8 digits) | EIN (XX-XXXXXXX) |
| Tax authority | National Taxation Bureau | IRS |
| Sales tax | Business tax (5% VAT-style) | State sales tax (varies) |
| Currency | New Taiwan Dollar (TWD, ~0.032 USD) | USD |
| EIN cost from IRS | — | $0 (IRS charges nothing) |
Use Cases
Why Do Taiwanese Entrepreneurs Need a US EIN?
Taiwanese 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 Taiwan-owned company to the US financial system.
Taiwan's strength in hardware, electronics, and design pushes founders toward the US, where customers and payment processors concentrate. Here are the most common reasons Taiwanese applicants come to ein.so.
Hardware and Electronics Sellers
E-commerce and Amazon.com
SaaS and Tech Founders
Freelancers and Consultants
Step-by-Step
How Do Taiwanese Citizens Apply for a US EIN?
Taiwanese citizens submit IRS Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627, using a Taiwan passport number in place of an SSN. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so the fax method is the path for Taiwanese 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
Taiwan-Specific SS-4 Field Guide
| SS-4 Field | Taiwanese Entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your US LLC name |
| Line 4 (Address) | Your Taiwan address (district, city, postal code) |
| Line 7a (Responsible party) | Your full name as on your passport |
| Line 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN) | Your Taiwan passport number |
| Line 10 (Reason) | Started new business |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | E.g., "electronics," "e-commerce," "software" |
The most common Taiwanese rejection cause is address formatting. The district-city order and 3-digit or 5-digit postal code do not map cleanly to the SS-4 layout, and the IRS silently rejects malformed international addresses. ein.so reformats Taiwan addresses to an IRS-accepted style. See the full EIN application process and the EIN without SSN guide.
Cost & Timeline
How Much Does an EIN From Taiwan Cost and How Long Does It Take?
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). You pay only for the preparation, fax filing, and error-checking that get your application accepted the first time.
| Option | Price | Timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ein.so Standard | $49 | 4-7 business days | Most Taiwanese applicants |
| ein.so Express | $97 | 2-3 business days | Tight banking or launch deadlines |
| DIY fax to IRS | $0 IRS fee | 4-7 business days | Founders comfortable filing SS-4 alone |
| DIY phone (267-941-1099) | $0 IRS fee | Same call, long hold | Founders who can call during US hours |
A DIY fax costs nothing in IRS fees, but a single SS-4 error restarts the clock. International calls to the IRS line run during US business hours, which means late-night calls from Taiwan and long hold times. ein.so prevents the most common rejection causes for non-residents: wrong Line 7b entry, malformed address, and a missing responsible-party name. See more on EIN cost and EIN processing time.
Banking & Payments
How Do Taiwanese Entrepreneurs Use Their EIN for US Banking and Payments?
Taiwanese entrepreneurs use their EIN to open a US business bank account and connect US payment processors, which together give a Taiwan-owned LLC full access to the dollar economy. Mercury and Relay approve most Taiwanese LLC owners remotely within a few business days.
US Business Bank Account
Stripe on a US Entity
PayPal Business (US)
Wise and Cross-Border 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 Taiwan bank when the exchange rate is favorable.
Tax Considerations
What Should Taiwanese Entrepreneurs Know About US Taxes?
A single-member US LLC owned by a Taiwan 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 foreign owner still has annual US information-reporting duties. Confirm your exact filings with a US CPA.
US Filing: Form 5472 + 1120
No SSN or ITIN Needed for the EIN
Taiwan Reporting
BOI Report to FinCEN
ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. Work with a Taiwan-licensed accountant and a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters. Your EIN is the starting point for US tax compliance. See EIN for non-residents for the full picture.
Common Mistakes
What Mistakes Do Taiwanese Applicants Make on Form SS-4?
Taiwanese applicants most often fail by leaving Line 7b blank, entering a UBN where the passport number belongs, or formatting the Taiwan address in a way the IRS rejects. Each error restarts the 4-7 business day timeline.
Avoid these four SS-4 errors
- Leaving Line 7b empty because you have no SSN. Enter your Taiwan passport number instead.
- Entering your 8-digit UBN on Line 7b. The UBN has no US standing and the IRS does not accept it.
- Using the IRS online tool, which blocks every applicant without an SSN. Use the fax method to 855-215-1627.
- Submitting a Taiwan address in district-first order without a clean postal code, which triggers a silent rejection.
What ein.so checks before filing
- Line 7b holds your Taiwan passport number, not your UBN or a blank field.
- Your Taiwan address is reformatted to an IRS-accepted single-line style.
- Line 1 matches your registered US LLC name exactly.
- The responsible party on Line 7a matches your passport name.
These four checks remove the rejection causes that send DIY filers back to the start. See the SS-4 form guide for a line-by-line walkthrough and how to get an EIN for the full sequence.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN From Taiwan
- 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 | Canada | Nigeria | Pakistan | Philippines. Browse all on EIN for non-residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Taiwanese citizens get a US EIN without visiting America?
Yes. Taiwanese citizens can apply for a US EIN entirely from Taiwan. The IRS does not require you to be present in the United States. You submit Form SS-4 by fax using your Taiwan 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 Taiwan?
No. Taiwanese applicants do not need an SSN or ITIN. Your Taiwan passport number serves as your identification on Form SS-4 Line 7b. The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN, which is why Taiwanese applicants must use the fax method that ein.so handles for you.
How long does it take for a Taiwanese applicant to receive an EIN?
Through ein.so, Standard processing takes 4-7 business days for $49 and Express takes 2-3 business days for $97. The DIY fax method to 855-215-1627 takes 4-7 business days when the form has no errors. The IRS charges $0 for the EIN itself.
What is the EIN equivalent in Taiwan?
The closest Taiwanese equivalent is the Unified Business Number (UBN), an 8-digit identifier issued by the National Taxation Bureau. The UBN has no standing in the United States. You need a separate US EIN for a US business entity, and the two numbers do not transfer or link.
Can Taiwanese freelancers use a US LLC and EIN?
Yes. Many Taiwanese freelancers form a US LLC to invoice US clients in dollars, access Stripe and PayPal on a US entity, and present a US business identity. The US LLC and EIN sit alongside your Taiwan tax registration. You continue to declare income in Taiwan under local rules.
Can I sell on Amazon.com from Taiwan with an EIN?
Yes. Amazon requires a US tax identification number to complete the seller tax interview on Amazon.com. Taiwanese sellers use their US EIN to register through their US LLC, access FBA warehouses in the US, and reach American customers. Your EIN is the first item Amazon checks.
Can I open a US bank account from Taiwan with my EIN?
Yes. With your EIN and LLC formation documents, you can open US accounts at Mercury, Relay, and Wise remotely. You receive US account and routing numbers for ACH and domestic wires. Some traditional banks require an in-person visit, but EIN-first fintech banks approve most Taiwanese owners online.
What does a foreign-owned US LLC owe the IRS 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, not always a tax bill. ein.so files the EIN and does not give tax advice. Confirm your filings with a US CPA.
Does ein.so support Taiwanese applicants with address formatting?
Yes. Taiwanese addresses use a 3-digit or 5-digit postal code and a district-city structure that does not map cleanly to the SS-4 fields. ein.so reformats your Taiwan address to an IRS-accepted style so the IRS does not silently reject your application for a malformed international address.
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