State Guide
EIN in Connecticut (CT)
How to get an EIN for your Connecticut business or LLC. The EIN is a federal number from the IRS. Non-residents apply with a passport and no SSN. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
Getting an EIN in Connecticut uses the same federal IRS process as every other state. The EIN is a federal number from the IRS, not a Connecticut number. US residents apply online at irs.gov. Non-residents file Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627 using a passport number on Line 7b, with no SSN. 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).
Connecticut sits in the heart of the New York–Boston corridor and hosts a dense base of finance, insurance, manufacturing, and technology firms. Founders forming a Connecticut business need a US EIN before they can open a bank account, file federal taxes, or hire. The EIN is a 9-digit federal tax ID. It does not change from state to state. A Connecticut LLC uses the exact same EIN format (XX-XXXXXXX) that a Wyoming or Delaware LLC uses. This guide explains how to get an EIN in Connecticut, how non-residents apply without an SSN, how the federal EIN differs from the Connecticut state tax ID, and what foreign-owned LLCs file each year.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| State | Connecticut (CT) |
| State tax authority | Department of Revenue Services (DRS) |
| LLC formation authority | Connecticut Secretary of the State |
| Federal EIN | Same as all 50 states (IRS) |
| EIN issuer | Internal Revenue Service |
| IRS EIN cost | $0 |
| ein.so cost | $49 Standard / $97 Express |
| IRS fax number | 855-215-1627 |
Federal vs State
Is a Connecticut EIN Different From a Federal EIN?
A Connecticut EIN is not different from a federal EIN, because the EIN is a federal number issued only by the IRS. There is no state-specific version. A business in Connecticut uses the same 9-digit EIN it would use in any US state.
The confusion comes from two separate identifiers. The EIN is federal. The Connecticut state tax registration is separate and comes from the Department of Revenue Services (DRS). Many businesses need both numbers.
| Identifier | Issued by | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Federal EIN | IRS | Federal taxes, banking, hiring, Form 5472 |
| CT state tax registration | Department of Revenue Services | Connecticut sales tax, state withholding |
Your EIN does not replace state tax registration in Connecticut. You apply for the EIN first through the IRS, then register with DRS if your activities require it. See the state tax ID guide for how the two numbers work together. The EIN is the federal foundation; the DRS number sits on top for state-level obligations.
How to Apply
How Do You Get an EIN for a Connecticut Business?
You get an EIN for a Connecticut business by applying directly to the IRS, and the method depends on whether you have an SSN. US residents with an SSN use the IRS online tool for an instant EIN. Non-residents file Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627.
| Method | Speed | SSN required | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Instant | Yes | $0 |
| Fax | 4-7 business days | No | $0 / $49 |
| Phone | Same call | Varies | $0 |
| 4-6 weeks | No | $0 |
The process is identical in every state. Connecticut adds no extra federal step. See how to get an EIN for the complete walkthrough.
Steps to Get an EIN in Connecticut
Form Your Connecticut Entity
Gather Your Documents
Complete Form SS-4
Submit and Receive Your EIN
See the full SS-4 form guide and the EIN processing time breakdown before you file.
Non-Residents
Can a Non-US Resident Get an EIN for a Connecticut LLC?
Yes, a non-US resident can get an EIN for a Connecticut LLC without an SSN or ITIN. You form the LLC through the Connecticut Secretary of the State, then file Form SS-4 by fax with your passport number on Line 7b. The IRS issues most error-free EINs within 4-7 business days.
The IRS online EIN tool is blocked for applicants who have no SSN. That single rule forces non-residents onto the fax method. The fax method works for any passport holder from any country.
| SS-4 Field | Non-Resident Entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your Connecticut LLC name |
| Line 4 (Address) | Your foreign or US mailing address |
| Line 7a (Responsible party) | Your full name as on your passport |
| Line 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN) | Your passport number |
| Line 10 (Reason) | Started new business |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | E.g., "software," "e-commerce," "consulting" |
The most common rejection cause for non-residents is address formatting that the IRS does not accept. ein.so reformats international addresses to an IRS-accepted style. See EIN without an SSN and EIN for non-residents for the full non-resident path.
Cost
How Much Does an EIN for a Connecticut Business Cost?
The EIN itself costs $0 from the IRS, in Connecticut and in every other state. The IRS never charges a fee for issuing an EIN. The only costs are optional filing assistance and the separate state fee to form a Connecticut LLC.
ein.so charges for preparing and faxing Form SS-4 for non-residents who cannot use the free online tool. The fee covers the form completion, IRS fax submission, and delivery of your EIN.
| Service | Provider | Cost | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EIN issuance | IRS | $0 | Instant (online) / 4-7 days (fax) |
| EIN filing (Standard) | ein.so | $49 | 4-7 business days |
| EIN filing (Express) | ein.so | $97 | 2-3 business days |
| Connecticut LLC formation | Secretary of the State | State filing fee | Varies |
Confirm the current Connecticut LLC filing fee with the Secretary of the State, because state fees change. See the EIN cost guide for a full breakdown. The federal EIN is always free; ein.so charges only for the service of getting it done correctly the first time for non-residents.
Banking & Compliance
What Comes After Getting an EIN in Connecticut?
After getting your EIN in Connecticut, you open a US bank account, register for state taxes if required, and meet your federal filing duties. The EIN unlocks banking, payment processors, and IRS filings for your Connecticut entity.
Open a US Bank Account
Register With DRS
File Form 5472 + 1120
File Your BOI Report
Connecticut LLC annual obligations
- File the Connecticut annual report with the Secretary of the State to keep the LLC in good standing.
- Maintain a registered agent with a Connecticut address.
- File Form 5472 plus a pro-forma Form 1120 each year if the LLC is foreign-owned ($25,000 penalty for non-filing).
- Confirm all tax filings with a CPA. ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice.
State vs State
Should You Form Your LLC in Connecticut or Another State?
The choice of formation state changes your fees and reporting, but it does not change the EIN, which is federal and identical everywhere. Many non-residents form in Wyoming, Delaware, or New Mexico, while businesses that operate physically in Connecticut form there.
Key points for non-residents choosing a state
- The EIN is federal. It is the same number whether you form in Connecticut, Wyoming, or Delaware.
- Form in Connecticut if you have a physical presence, employees, or customers there.
- Form in a no-income-tax state if you operate fully online with no Connecticut nexus. Confirm nexus rules with a CPA.
- Every US LLC, regardless of state, can be foreign-owned and gets its EIN through the same Form SS-4 process.
Wherever you form, the federal SS-4 process described above stays the same. ein.so files the SS-4 for non-residents in any state for $49 Standard or $97 Express. Start your application at apply once your entity is formed.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN in Connecticut
- Open a US bank account — Mercury and Relay accept non-resident Connecticut LLC owners
- Register for state tax — with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services if required
- File your BOI report — required for most US LLCs at the federal level
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Read the SS-4 form guide — and check EIN processing time before you file
Other states: Louisiana | Kentucky | Iowa | Utah. Browse all on EIN by State. For the non-resident path, see EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Connecticut 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) no matter which state you operate in. Connecticut does not issue its own version of an EIN. A business in Connecticut uses the same EIN it would use in any other US state for federal tax reporting.
How do I get an EIN for a Connecticut business?
Apply through the IRS. US residents use the online tool at irs.gov (instant, SSN required). Non-residents file Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627 (4-7 business days). The IRS charges $0. ein.so files the SS-4 for non-residents for $49 Standard (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days).
Can a non-US resident get an EIN for a Connecticut LLC?
Yes. Non-residents form a Connecticut LLC through the Secretary of the State, then get an EIN from the IRS. You enter your passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b. No SSN or ITIN is required. The IRS online tool needs an SSN, so non-residents use the fax method that ein.so handles.
Does Connecticut have its own state tax ID?
Yes. Connecticut issues a state tax registration through the Department of Revenue Services (DRS) for sales tax, withholding, and other state taxes. This is separate from your federal EIN. Many Connecticut businesses need both: the EIN for federal filings and the DRS registration for state taxes. Confirm your obligations with a CPA.
How much does an EIN for a Connecticut business cost?
The EIN is free from the IRS ($0). Forming a Connecticut LLC requires a separate state filing fee paid to the Secretary of the State. ein.so charges $49 (Standard) or $97 (Express) to prepare and fax Form SS-4 for non-residents who cannot use the IRS online tool. ein.so does not charge a hidden IRS fee.
How long does it take to get an EIN in Connecticut?
US residents using the IRS online tool receive an EIN instantly. Non-residents filing Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627 wait 4-7 business days when the form is error-free. Through ein.so, Standard processing takes 4-7 business days and Express takes 2-3 business days. See the EIN processing time guide for details.
Do I need an SSN to get an EIN for my Connecticut business?
No. You do not need an SSN to get an EIN. Non-residents enter a passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b instead of an SSN or ITIN. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, which is why non-residents file by fax. ein.so handles the fax filing so the application is accepted on the first attempt.
What does a foreign-owned Connecticut LLC have to file each year?
A foreign-owned single-member US 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 always a tax bill. A Connecticut LLC also files an annual report with the Secretary of the State. Confirm your tax filings with a CPA.
Can I open a US bank account with my Connecticut LLC and EIN?
Yes. Banks and fintechs like Mercury and Relay accept non-resident Connecticut LLC owners with an EIN, the LLC formation documents, and a passport. The EIN is the federal tax ID the bank requires to open the account. You receive US account and routing numbers for ACH and domestic wires after approval.
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