State Guide
EIN in Alabama (AL)
How to get an EIN for your Alabama business or LLC. The EIN is a federal number from the IRS. Non-residents apply by fax with a passport. $49 Standard, $97 Express.
Getting an EIN in Alabama uses the same federal IRS process as every other state. The EIN is a federal number, not state-specific. Non-residents apply by fax with a passport, no SSN required. The IRS issues the 9-digit EIN (XX-XXXXXXX) for $0. The online tool needs an SSN, so non-residents submit Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627. ein.so files it for $49 Standard (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days).
An EIN is the federal tax ID your Alabama business uses for banking, payroll, and IRS filings. The IRS issues every EIN, so an "Alabama EIN" is the same number a Texas or Wyoming business receives. What ties an EIN to Alabama is your entity: you form an LLC with the Alabama Secretary of State, then attach a federal EIN to that company. This guide explains the federal SS-4 process, the non-resident path without an SSN, the Alabama state registration that sits alongside the EIN, and the steps after approval.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| State | Alabama (AL) |
| State income tax | 2-5% state income tax |
| State tax authority | Alabama Department of Revenue |
| Federal EIN issuer | IRS (same for all 50 states) |
| EIN format | XX-XXXXXXX (9 digits) |
| IRS EIN fee | $0 |
| ein.so fee | $49 Standard / $97 Express |
| IRS fax number | 855-215-1627 |
Federal vs State
Is an Alabama EIN Different From a Federal EIN?
No. An Alabama EIN is a federal EIN. The IRS issues one 9-digit number that works in all 50 states. Alabama does not assign its own EIN. Your federal EIN and your Alabama state tax registration are two separate things.
The confusion comes from the word "state." Alabama does register businesses for state-level taxes, but that registration is not an EIN. Keep the two systems distinct:
| Identifier | Issued By | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Federal EIN | IRS | Federal taxes, banking, payroll, Form 5472 |
| Alabama state tax ID | Alabama Department of Revenue | Alabama sales tax, state withholding |
You apply for the EIN once through the IRS. You register separately with the Alabama Department of Revenue if your activities require it. Your EIN does not replace state registration, and state registration does not replace the EIN. See our state tax ID guide and the broader how to get an EIN walkthrough. Confirm your exact Alabama registration duties with a CPA before you start trading.
How to Apply
How Do You Get an EIN in Alabama?
Apply through the IRS by online, fax, phone, or mail. Online is instant but requires an SSN. Fax to 855-215-1627 takes 4-7 business days. Non-residents without an SSN use the fax method, which ein.so files for $49.
The application method is identical in every state, because the EIN is federal. The right method depends on whether you have an SSN.
| Method | Speed | Cost | SSN Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Instant | $0 | Yes |
| Fax | 4-7 business days | $0 / $49 | No |
| Phone | Same day | $0 | Varies |
| 4-6 weeks | $0 | No |
US persons with an SSN use the online application for an instant EIN. Non-US residents cannot use the online tool, because it validates an SSN or ITIN. They submit Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627. The IRS returns the EIN assignment letter (CP 575) once it processes the form. See our EIN cost and EIN processing time pages for the full breakdown.
Form Your Alabama LLC
Gather Your Documents
Complete Form SS-4
Submit and Receive Your EIN
No SSN Required
Can a Non-Resident Get an EIN for an Alabama LLC?
Yes. A non-US resident gets an EIN for an Alabama LLC without an SSN or ITIN. You enter your passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b. The IRS online tool blocks non-residents, so you submit the SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627.
The federal rules do not change by state. A founder in Lagos, Manila, or Berlin forming an Alabama LLC follows the exact same SS-4 process as one forming a Wyoming LLC. The only blocker is the online tool, which demands an SSN or ITIN it can validate. The fax method bypasses that requirement entirely.
| SS-4 Field | Non-Resident Entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your Alabama LLC name |
| Line 4 (Mailing address) | Your foreign or US business address |
| Line 7a (Responsible party) | Your full name as on your passport |
| Line 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN) | Your passport number (no SSN) |
| Line 10 (Reason) | Started new business |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | E.g., "e-commerce," "consulting," "software" |
The most common rejection cause is address formatting. International addresses do not map cleanly to the SS-4 fields, and the IRS rejects malformed entries without explanation. ein.so reformats addresses to an IRS-accepted style and files the fax for you. See our EIN without SSN guide, the EIN for non-residents overview, and the detailed SS-4 form guide. If you also need an ITIN for personal US tax filing, ein.so offers ITIN service at $197 Standard or $297 Express.
After Your EIN
What Do You Do After Getting an EIN in Alabama?
Open a US business bank account, register for Alabama state taxes if required, file your federal BOI report, and meet your annual federal filing duties. The EIN unlocks each of these steps. Most banks and processors accept a non-resident LLC with an EIN and passport.
Open a US Bank Account
Register for Alabama State Taxes
File Your BOI Report
Meet Annual Federal Filings
Alabama has 2-5% state income tax, separate from federal tax. Your federal EIN handles IRS reporting; Alabama state taxes use your Department of Revenue registration. ein.so handles the EIN application only and does not provide tax advice. Work with a CPA familiar with non-resident filings.
Cost Breakdown
How Much Does an EIN in Alabama Cost?
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. There is no federal fee in any state. ein.so charges $49 Standard or $97 Express for non-residents who cannot use the free online tool. Alabama LLC formation has its own separate state filing fee.
The EIN itself is always free from the IRS. You pay only for service, speed, or the separate state entity registration. Here is what each line item covers:
| Item | Cost | Paid To |
|---|---|---|
| EIN (IRS direct) | $0 | IRS |
| ein.so EIN filing (Standard) | $49 | ein.so |
| ein.so EIN filing (Express) | $97 | ein.so |
| Alabama LLC filing fee | Confirm on state site | Alabama Secretary of State |
| BOI report | $0 | FinCEN |
| ein.so ITIN service | $197 / $297 | ein.so |
A US person with an SSN can get the EIN free in minutes through the online application. A non-resident pays ein.so to prepare and fax the SS-4, because the IRS rejects malformed forms and the online tool is closed to them. The $49 fee covers form preparation, address reformatting, fax submission, and email delivery of the EIN. See our EIN cost page for a full comparison. Do not invent the Alabama LLC filing fee; confirm the current figure on the Alabama Secretary of State website before you budget.
Next Steps
Apply for Your EIN in Alabama
- Form your Alabama LLC — register with the Alabama Secretary of State, then attach your EIN
- Apply for your EIN — ein.so files Form SS-4 by fax for non-residents, no SSN needed
- Open a US bank account — Mercury and Relay accept non-resident LLC owners
- File your BOI report — free at fincen.gov/boi for most LLCs
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
Learn more: how to get an EIN | EIN without SSN | EIN for non-residents | SS-4 form guide | EIN processing time
Other states: Oregon | South Carolina | Louisiana | Kentucky. Browse all on EIN by State.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Alabama EIN different from a federal EIN?
No. The EIN is a federal number issued by the IRS, not by Alabama. The same 9-digit number (XX-XXXXXXX) works in all 50 states. Alabama does not issue its own version of an EIN. You apply once through the IRS, and that EIN serves your Alabama LLC for federal tax filing, banking, and payroll nationwide.
How do I get an EIN in Alabama?
Apply through the IRS in one of four ways. Online at irs.gov is instant but requires an SSN. Fax to 855-215-1627 takes 4-7 business days. Phone at 800-829-4933 works for some applicants. Mail takes 4-6 weeks. Non-residents without an SSN use the fax method, which ein.so files for $49 Standard or $97 Express.
Can a non-US resident get an EIN for an Alabama LLC?
Yes. A non-US resident gets an EIN for an Alabama LLC without an SSN or ITIN. You enter your passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b instead. The IRS online tool blocks applicants without an SSN, so you submit the SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627. ein.so files this for non-residents and delivers the EIN by email.
Does Alabama have a state tax ID separate from the EIN?
Yes. Alabama issues a separate state tax registration through the Alabama Department of Revenue. This is not the same as your federal EIN. You may need both: the EIN for federal taxes and the state registration for Alabama sales tax or withholding. Confirm your exact Alabama registration requirements with a CPA before you operate.
How much does it cost to get an EIN in Alabama?
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. There is no federal fee, no matter which state your business is in. ein.so charges $49 Standard or $97 Express for non-residents who cannot use the online tool. Alabama LLC formation has a separate state filing fee paid to the Alabama Secretary of State; confirm the current amount on the state website.
Do I need to form an Alabama LLC before getting an EIN?
Form your Alabama LLC first, then apply for the EIN. The IRS asks for your legal business name on Form SS-4 Line 1, which must match your LLC registration with the Alabama Secretary of State. You file the LLC, receive your formation documents, then submit the SS-4. ein.so applies for your EIN once your entity exists.
How long does it take to get an EIN for an Alabama business?
An error-free fax application takes 4-7 business days for the IRS to process. ein.so Standard delivery is 4-7 business days for $49, and Express is 2-3 business days for $97. The online tool is instant but needs an SSN. Mailed applications take 4-6 weeks. See our EIN processing time guide for details.
Does a foreign-owned Alabama LLC have federal filing duties?
Yes. 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 that reports transactions between the LLC and its foreign owner. ein.so does not give tax advice; confirm your filing obligations with a US CPA who handles non-residents.
What is the Alabama state income tax rate?
Alabama has 2-5% state income tax. This is separate from federal income tax. Your federal EIN handles federal reporting, while Alabama state taxes use your state registration with the Department of Revenue. Tax outcomes depend on your entity type and residency. Confirm your Alabama and federal liability with a CPA before filing.
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