State Guide
EIN in Colorado (CO)
How to get an EIN for your Colorado business. 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 Colorado follows the same federal IRS process as every other state. The EIN is a federal number issued by the IRS, not by Colorado. US citizens with an SSN apply instantly online at irs.gov. Non-residents without an SSN file Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627 using a passport number. ein.so prepares and faxes your SS-4 and delivers the EIN by email. Standard costs $49 (4-7 business days). Express costs $97 (2-3 business days).
Colorado attracts founders for its growing tech corridor along the Front Range, its outdoor and consumer brands, and a 4.4% flat state income tax that is simpler than many bracketed state systems. The EIN you need to operate a Colorado business is a federal tax ID. The IRS issues the same 9-digit EIN regardless of state. This guide explains how Colorado residents and non-US residents get an EIN, how the federal EIN differs from a Colorado state tax account, and what a foreign-owned Colorado LLC files each year.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| State | Colorado (CO) |
| State income tax | 4.4% flat (2026) |
| Federal EIN | Same as all states (IRS) |
| EIN format | XX-XXXXXXX (9 digits) |
| IRS EIN fax line | 855-215-1627 |
| State tax authority | Colorado Department of Revenue |
| EIN cost | $0 (IRS) / $49 (ein.so) |
Federal vs State
Is a Colorado EIN Different From a Federal EIN?
No. A Colorado EIN is the same as a federal EIN, because the IRS issues every EIN at the federal level. Colorado does not assign its own EIN. The 9-digit number works in all 50 states and never changes.
Many Colorado business owners confuse the federal EIN with a Colorado state tax account. They are separate registrations with separate authorities.
| Identifier | Issued by | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Federal EIN | IRS | Federal tax filings, banking, payroll |
| Colorado state tax account | Colorado Department of Revenue | State sales tax, wage withholding |
Your EIN does not replace state tax registration. A Colorado retailer collecting sales tax registers separately with the Department of Revenue. A Colorado employer paying wages registers for state withholding. See state tax ID for how the two interact, and EIN cost for a full fee breakdown.
How to Apply
How Do You Get an EIN in Colorado?
You get an EIN in Colorado through the IRS using one of four methods. SSN holders apply online for an instant number. Non-residents without an SSN fax Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627 and receive the EIN in 4-7 business days.
| Method | Speed | SSN required | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Instant | Yes | $0 |
| Fax | 4-7 business days | No | $0 / $49 |
| Phone | Same day | International only | $0 |
| 4-6 weeks | No | $0 |
The process is identical in every state. Colorado adds no extra federal step. See how to get an EIN for the complete walkthrough and EIN processing time for realistic timelines per method.
Colorado Business Steps After You Get the EIN
- Register with the Colorado Department of Revenue for sales tax and withholding if applicable
- Confirm any local Colorado business license requirements with your city or county
- File your BOI report with FinCEN (federal requirement)
- Open a business bank account using your EIN
Non-Residents
How Does a Non-Resident Get an EIN for a Colorado LLC?
A non-resident gets an EIN for a Colorado LLC by faxing Form SS-4 to the IRS at 855-215-1627 with a passport number on Line 7b. No SSN or ITIN is needed. The IRS online tool blocks applicants without an SSN, so fax is the path.
Form Your Colorado LLC
Gather Your Documents
Complete Form SS-4
Fax and Receive Your EIN
The most common rejection cause for non-residents is malformed international address formatting on Form SS-4. ein.so reformats foreign addresses to an IRS-accepted style. See the SS-4 form guide, EIN without SSN, and EIN for non-residents for full detail.
Banking & Payments
How Do You Use a Colorado EIN for Banking and Payments?
You use a Colorado EIN to open a US business bank account and connect US payment processors. The EIN is the federal tax ID banks and platforms require to verify your Colorado LLC. Most online banks approve LLC owners within a few business days.
US Business Bank Account
Stripe and Card Payments
PayPal Business
Payroll Setup
Together, a Colorado LLC, an EIN, and a US bank account let you invoice in dollars and accept US payments. The EIN is the federal anchor for all of it.
Tax Compliance
What Does a Foreign-Owned Colorado LLC File Each Year?
A foreign-owned single-member Colorado LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year. The penalty for not filing is $25,000. This is an information return, not automatically a tax bill. Most LLCs also file a BOI report with FinCEN.
Form 5472 + Form 1120
Colorado State Tax
BOI Report to FinCEN
Disregarded Entity Status
ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. Work with a US CPA experienced in non-resident filings. Your EIN is the starting point for US tax compliance, not the end of it. If you also need a personal US tax number, ein.so offers an ITIN service for $197 Standard or $297 Express.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN in Colorado
- 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 with the Colorado Department of Revenue — for state sales tax and withholding if applicable
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Read the SS-4 form guide — and the full how to get an EIN walkthrough
Other states: Massachusetts | Arizona | Tennessee | Maryland. Browse all on EIN by State. Non-resident guides: EIN for non-residents and EIN without SSN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Colorado 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) whether you operate in Colorado or any other state. Colorado does not issue its own version of an EIN. You use the same federal EIN for IRS filings nationwide, and it never changes if you move states.
How do I get an EIN in Colorado?
Apply through the IRS in four ways: online at irs.gov (instant, SSN required), by fax to 855-215-1627 (4-7 business days, no SSN needed), by phone at 800-829-4933 (international applicants only), or by mail (4-6 weeks). ein.so files the SS-4 by fax for non-residents for $49 Standard or $97 Express.
Can a non-US resident get an EIN for a Colorado LLC?
Yes. A non-US resident can get an EIN for a Colorado LLC without an SSN or ITIN. You enter your passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b and fax it to the IRS at 855-215-1627. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so non-residents use the fax method. ein.so handles this remotely for $49.
Does Colorado have a state tax ID?
Yes. Colorado issues a separate state tax registration through the Colorado Department of Revenue for sales tax and withholding. This state account is distinct from your federal EIN. Many Colorado businesses need both: the federal EIN for IRS filings and the state account for Colorado sales and wage taxes. Confirm your specific obligations with a CPA.
How much does it cost to get an EIN in Colorado?
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN in Colorado. Forming a Colorado LLC carries a separate state filing fee paid to the Secretary of State; confirm the current amount on the state website. 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.
Do I need an SSN to get an EIN in Colorado?
No. You do not need an SSN to get an EIN in Colorado. US citizens with an SSN can use the instant online tool. Non-residents without an SSN or ITIN file Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627 using a passport number on Line 7b. The federal process is identical in all 50 states.
What does a foreign-owned Colorado LLC file with the IRS each year?
A foreign-owned single-member Colorado LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year. The penalty for missing this filing is $25,000. This is an information return, not automatically a tax bill. Most US LLCs also file a BOI report with FinCEN. Confirm your full filing duties with a US CPA.
How long does it take to get an EIN in Colorado?
An SSN holder using the IRS online tool gets an EIN instantly. A non-resident filing by fax to 855-215-1627 waits 4-7 business days for an error-free SS-4. Through ein.so, Standard processing takes 4-7 business days ($49) and Express takes 2-3 business days ($97). Mail filing takes 4-6 weeks.
What is the Colorado state income tax rate?
Colorado uses a 4.4% flat state income tax as of 2026. This applies on top of federal taxes and is separate from your EIN. Your federal EIN handles IRS reporting, while Colorado income, sales, and withholding taxes run through the Department of Revenue. Confirm current rates and your liability with a CPA.
Need an EIN? We Handle Everything.
Non-US resident? We file Form SS-4 with the IRS and deliver your EIN by email. Just $49.
Get My EIN for $49