Country Guide
EIN for UK Entrepreneurs
Apply for a US EIN from the United Kingdom without an SSN. ein.so handles the IRS fax filing for UK-based Amazon sellers, e-commerce merchants, and service businesses. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
UK residents can get a US EIN by submitting IRS Form SS-4 by fax. Your British passport number replaces the SSN requirement. The IRS online tool does not work for UK applicants without an SSN. ein.so handles the entire fax filing process for $49 (Standard, 4-7 business days) or $97 (Express, 7 business days). No visit to the US required.
The UK-US Trade Relationship by the Numbers
The UK has 5.5 million SMEs, a GDP of $3.1 trillion, and bilateral trade with the US exceeding $260 billion annually. British entrepreneurs regularly expand into the US market through e-commerce, Amazon FBA, SaaS, consulting, and investment. A US EIN is the first thing you need to operate a US business -- it unlocks banking, payment processing, marketplace registration, and tax compliance. The GBP/USD exchange rate sits near 1.27, giving UK entrepreneurs natural pricing power in the US market.
What This Guide Covers for UK Residents
This guide covers the complete EIN application process for UK residents, including the Ltd vs LLC decision, currency management between GBP and USD, Amazon.com expansion from the UK, and how ein.so simplifies the process for British business owners. Read our complete guide on EIN for non-US residents for the full process.
| Factor | United Kingdom | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Business Entity | Ltd / PLC / Sole Trader | LLC / Corporation |
| Tax ID | UTR (10 digits) / Company Reg No | EIN (9 digits: XX-XXXXXXX) |
| Corporate Tax Rate | 25% (profits over GBP 250K) | 21% federal corporate rate |
| Banking | GBP accounts; Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds | USD accounts; Mercury, Relay, Chase |
| Currency | GBP (~1.27 per USD) | USD (global reserve currency) |
| SME Count | 5.5 million businesses | 33.2 million businesses |
Use Cases
Why Do UK Entrepreneurs Need a US EIN?
The US consumer market generates $7.1 trillion in annual retail sales -- roughly 5 times the UK's $1.4 trillion. Over 60,000 UK businesses already export to the US, and that number grows 8% year-over-year. Here are the most common reasons UK residents apply for a US EIN:
Core Business Reasons for UK Entrepreneurs
Amazon FBA Expansion
The UK is the third-largest Amazon marketplace globally, behind the US and Germany. Many UK sellers on Amazon.co.uk expand to Amazon.com to access the massive US customer base. A US EIN through a US LLC lets you register as a US seller, use FBA warehouses, and avoid the 30% withholding tax on US-sourced income through the UK-US tax treaty.
US Payment Processing
Stripe US, PayPal US, and other payment processors work best with a US entity and EIN. UK entrepreneurs selling digital products, SaaS subscriptions, or services to US customers benefit from processing payments in USD through a US bank account rather than routing everything through UK payment processors.
US Banking Access
A US EIN lets you open a US business bank account with banks like Mercury or Relay. This gives you a USD account for receiving US payments, paying US vendors, and managing your US business finances without converting every transaction between GBP and USD.
Client Trust and Credibility
US enterprise clients and government agencies often prefer working with US-registered entities. A US LLC with an EIN gives UK consultants, agencies, and service providers a professional US presence that builds trust with American clients and opens doors to US contracts.
Entity Structure
UK Ltd vs US LLC: Which Structure Should British Entrepreneurs Choose?
92% of UK entrepreneurs we serve choose a new US LLC over qualifying their UK Ltd in the US. Formation costs $100-300, compared to $2,000+ for foreign qualification. Here is the comparison:
Side-by-Side Entity Comparison
| Factor | UK Ltd in the US | New US LLC |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Complexity | Requires foreign qualification in a US state | Simple online formation ($100-300) |
| Tax Treatment | Treated as a foreign corporation | Pass-through entity (simpler) |
| Banking | More difficult to open US bank accounts | Straightforward with EIN |
| Recommended? | Only for large companies with existing US operations | Yes, for most UK entrepreneurs |
The vast majority of UK entrepreneurs we work with form a new US LLC rather than qualifying their UK Ltd in the US. The LLC is simpler to set up, cheaper to maintain, and provides cleaner separation between your UK and US business activities. Your US LLC gets its own EIN, and you remain the sole member (owner) as an individual. For more on LLC EINs, see our EIN for LLC guide.
Currency
How Do UK Entrepreneurs Manage GBP and USD?
GBP/USD fluctuated between 1.21 and 1.31 over the past 12 months -- a 10-cent range that translates to thousands in gains or losses on a $100,000 revenue base. A US bank account eliminates forced conversion on every transaction. Here is how UK entrepreneurs structure their finances:
Multi-Currency Banking Setup
US Bank Account (via EIN)
Your EIN lets you open a US bank account that holds USD. Revenue from US customers stays in USD until you choose to convert. This eliminates forced conversion on every transaction and gives you control over timing.
Wise (TransferWise)
Most UK-based US LLC owners use Wise for GBP/USD transfers. Wise offers mid-market exchange rates with transparent fees, 0.4-0.6% per transfer. This is significantly cheaper than traditional bank wire transfers.
Stripe Multi-Currency
If you use Stripe for payment processing, your US entity can accept USD payments that settle directly into your US bank account. This avoids Stripe's automatic currency conversion, which adds roughly 1% to each transaction.
Tax Reporting in Both Currencies
Your US tax filings are in USD. Your UK self-assessment is in GBP. You need to track exchange rates for each transaction to accurately report income and expenses in both jurisdictions.
The key takeaway is that your EIN-linked US bank account gives you a USD home base. Without it, every US transaction involves conversion fees and exchange rate risk. With it, you hold USD, pay USD expenses directly, and convert to GBP only when you need to. Learn more about EIN for bank accounts.
Tax Compliance
What Should UK Residents Know About US-UK Tax Obligations?
The UK corporation tax rate is 25% for profits over GBP 250,000, while a US single-member LLC owned by a non-resident is a disregarded entity. The UK-US tax treaty eliminates double taxation and reduces withholding rates to as low as 0% on certain income types. Here are the basics:
HMRC and IRS Dual Filing Requirements
US Tax Filing
A single-member LLC owned by a non-resident is a disregarded entity for US tax purposes. You may need to file Form 5472 and Form 1120 (pro forma) annually with the IRS. If your LLC has US-sourced income, you may owe US taxes, subject to treaty relief.
HMRC Self-Assessment
UK residents must report worldwide income, including US LLC income, on their self-assessment tax return. You can claim foreign tax credits for any US taxes paid to avoid double taxation under the UK-US tax treaty.
VAT Considerations
Your US LLC is not subject to UK VAT for sales made to US customers. However, if your US LLC sells to UK customers, VAT registration may be required. US sales tax is separate from UK VAT and is handled at the state level.
ein.so handles the EIN application only -- we recommend consulting a UK-based accountant or tax adviser who understands US-UK cross-border obligations. Your EIN is the foundation for all US tax compliance. Apply for your EIN now and get started on your US business from the UK.
EIN Application Checklist for UK Residents
| Document | What to Prepare | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| British Passport | Valid, unexpired HM Passport | Passport number in foreign ID field; not NI number or UTR |
| US LLC Documents | Articles of Organization, entity name, state | Wyoming or Delaware most popular for UK applicants |
| UK Address | Full address with postcode (e.g., SW1A 1AA) | UK format accepted; ein.so optimizes for IRS |
| Registered Agent | US registered agent name and address | Serves as US business address for IRS |
| Business Activity | Brief description of US operations | E.g., "Amazon FBA," "SaaS," "consulting" |