State Guide
EIN in California (CA)
How to get an EIN for your California business or California 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 California follows the same federal IRS process as every other state. The EIN is a federal number — not state-specific. A non-resident enters a passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b and faxes the form to the IRS at 855-215-1627. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so non-residents use the fax path. ein.so prepares and faxes your SS-4 and delivers your EIN by email. Standard costs $49 (4-7 business days). Express costs $97 (2-3 business days).
California is the largest US state economy and a global hub for technology, media, agriculture, and e-commerce. Founders worldwide attach their business to California for market access, then need a federal EIN to open a bank account, accept payments, and file US taxes. The EIN itself is not a California document. The IRS issues one 9-digit EIN (XX-XXXXXXX) that works in California and in all 50 states. This guide explains how to get an EIN for a California business, how the federal EIN differs from California state tax registration, and what non-residents do when they cannot use the IRS online tool.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| State | California (CA) |
| Federal EIN | Same as all states (IRS) |
| EIN cost | $0 (IRS) / $49 Standard / $97 Express (ein.so) |
| State LLC authority | California Secretary of State |
| State tax authority | Franchise Tax Board (FTB) |
| IRS fax number | 855-215-1627 |
| Non-resident SS-4 ID | Passport number (Line 7b) |
Federal vs State
Is a California EIN Different From a Federal EIN?
A California EIN is not different from a federal EIN, because there is only one EIN. The IRS issues a single 9-digit EIN that applies to your business in every state. California does not issue its own EIN.
Many applicants confuse the federal EIN with California's state-level tax registrations. They are separate numbers from separate agencies. You use the EIN for federal filings. You use California state accounts for state tax and payroll.
| Identifier | Issued By | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Federal EIN | IRS | Federal tax, banking, Form SS-4 |
| FTB account | California Franchise Tax Board | California state income/franchise tax |
| EDD account | California Employment Development Dept | California payroll if you have employees |
Your federal EIN does not replace a California state tax account. Depending on activity, you may need both. See state tax ID for the distinction, and EIN for non-residents if you operate from outside the US. Confirm which California accounts you need with a CPA.
How to Apply
How Do You Get an EIN in California?
You get an EIN in California through the IRS, using one of four methods that are identical in all 50 states. The fastest with an SSN is online (instant). Non-residents without an SSN use fax to 855-215-1627, which takes 4-7 business days.
| Method | Speed | Cost | SSN Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Instant | $0 | Yes |
| Fax | 4-7 business days | $0 / $49 | No |
| Phone | Same day | $0 | No (international only) |
| 4-6 weeks | $0 | No |
The process does not change because your business is in California. See how to get an EIN for the full walkthrough and EIN cost for a fee breakdown.
California Business Steps After You Get the EIN
- Register a state tax account with the Franchise Tax Board if required
- Register with the EDD if you hire California employees
- Obtain any local city or county business license
- File your BOI report with FinCEN (federal)
- Open a business bank account with your EIN
Step-by-Step
How Do Non-Residents Apply for an EIN for a California LLC?
Non-residents apply for an EIN for a California LLC by faxing Form SS-4 to the IRS at 855-215-1627, using a passport number on Line 7b instead of an SSN. The IRS online tool is blocked without an SSN. 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
SS-4 Field Guide for a California LLC
| SS-4 Field | Entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your US LLC name |
| Line 4 (Mailing address) | Your home-country 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) | E.g., "software," "e-commerce," "consulting" |
The most common rejection cause for foreign applicants is address formatting that the IRS cannot read. ein.so reformats international addresses to an IRS-accepted style. See the full SS-4 form guide and the complete EIN processing time breakdown.
Banking & Payments
How Do You Use a California EIN for Banking and Payments?
You use your EIN to open a US business bank account and connect payment processors, which gives a California LLC full access to the dollar economy. Mercury and Relay approve most non-resident LLC owners remotely within a few business days.
US Business Bank Account
Stripe on a US Entity
Payment Platforms
Local California Compliance
Together, a US LLC, an EIN, and a US bank account let you invoice American clients in dollars and accept card payments. See EIN for a bank account for documentation banks request.
Tax Considerations
What Should a California Business Know About EIN and Taxes?
A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year, regardless of formation state. The penalty for not filing Form 5472 is $25,000. The EIN is the federal tax ID that makes these filings possible.
US Filing: Form 5472 + 1120
California State Tax
Federal Income Tax
BOI Report to FinCEN
ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. Work with a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters before relying on any tax position. Your EIN is the starting point for US tax compliance. See EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents.
Need an ITIN?
Do You Need an ITIN as Well as an EIN in California?
You need an ITIN only when an individual must file or be reported on a US tax return without an SSN. The EIN belongs to the business; the ITIN belongs to a person. Many California LLC owners need only the EIN.
EIN and ITIN serve different purposes
- The EIN identifies your business to the IRS for filings and banking.
- The ITIN identifies an individual person who must file a US tax return without an SSN.
- A non-resident forming a California LLC for banking and payments usually needs only the EIN.
- If you must file a personal US return, an ITIN may apply; confirm with a CPA.
ein.so offers an ITIN service at $197 (Standard) or $297 (Express) when you actually need one. Most non-resident LLC owners start with the EIN alone. See EIN without SSN for how the passport replaces the SSN on Form SS-4.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN in California
- 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
- Register state accounts — set up Franchise Tax Board and EDD accounts if required
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Review EIN cost and EIN processing time — plan your timeline and budget
Other state guides: Texas | Florida | New York | Georgia. Browse all on EIN by State. Non-resident? Start with EIN for non-residents and how to get an EIN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a California EIN different from a federal EIN?
No. The EIN is a federal number issued by the IRS. It is the same 9-digit number (XX-XXXXXXX) regardless of which state you operate in. California does not issue its own version of an EIN. Your single EIN works for a California LLC and for a business in any other US state.
How do I get an EIN in California?
Apply through the IRS in one of four ways: online at irs.gov (instant, SSN required), by fax to 855-215-1627 (4-7 business days), by phone at 800-829-4933 (same day, international applicants only), or by mail (4-6 weeks). Non-residents without an SSN use the fax method. ein.so files the fax SS-4 for $49.
Can a non-resident get an EIN for a California LLC without an SSN?
Yes. A non-US resident can get an EIN for a California LLC without an SSN or ITIN. You enter your passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b and fax the form to the IRS at 855-215-1627. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so the fax path is the route ein.so handles for $49.
Does California have a state tax ID separate from the EIN?
Yes. California issues state-level registrations through the Franchise Tax Board and the Employment Development Department, separate from your federal EIN. You may need a state tax account if you have employees or owe state tax. Your federal EIN does not replace these California registrations. Confirm your obligations with a CPA.
How much does it cost to get an EIN in California?
The EIN is free from the IRS ($0). ein.so charges $49 (Standard, 4-7 business days) or $97 (Express, 2-3 business days) to prepare and fax Form SS-4 for non-residents who cannot use the online tool. California charges its own LLC formation fee to the Secretary of State, which is separate from the EIN.
Do I need a California LLC before I apply for an EIN?
You do not strictly need an LLC, but most applicants form a US entity first so the EIN attaches to a legal name. You can register a California LLC with the California Secretary of State, or form in Wyoming, Delaware, or New Mexico. Then file Form SS-4 with that entity name on Line 1.
Is the EIN process for a California LLC different from other states?
No. Getting an EIN is a federal IRS process that is identical in all 50 states. Only the state-level steps differ: forming the LLC, the state filing fee, and state tax registration. The Form SS-4 application, the 855-215-1627 fax number, and the 4-7 business day timeline are the same in California as in Texas or Florida.
What does a foreign-owned California LLC file with the IRS each year?
A foreign-owned single-member California LLC files Form 5472 together with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for not filing Form 5472 is $25,000. This is an information return, not automatically a tax bill. ein.so does not give tax advice; confirm your filing duties with a US CPA experienced in non-resident cases.
How long does it take to get an EIN by fax for a California business?
The IRS issues most correctly filed EINs by fax within 4-7 business days. ein.so Express returns your EIN in 2-3 business days for $97. The IRS online tool is instant but requires an SSN. Phone applications (800-829-4933) are same-day but only for international applicants during US business hours.
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