State Guide
EIN in Illinois (IL)
How to get an EIN for your Illinois business. The EIN is a federal number from the IRS. Non-residents file Form SS-4 by fax with a passport number. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
Getting an EIN in Illinois follows the same federal IRS process as every state. The EIN is a federal number, not state-specific. Non-residents file Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627 using a passport number on Line 7b. No SSN is required. 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).
Illinois is home to Chicago, the third-largest US metro economy and a major hub for finance, logistics, manufacturing, and technology. Founders form Illinois LLCs to reach this market, sell to US customers, and access US payment rails. The EIN they need is federal. The IRS issues the same 9-digit EIN whether your LLC sits in Illinois, Wyoming, or Delaware. This guide explains how non-residents get an EIN for an Illinois business without an SSN, how the federal EIN differs from Illinois state registration, and what you do after approval.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| State | Illinois (IL) |
| State tax authority | Illinois Department of Revenue |
| Secretary of State | Files LLC formation documents |
| Federal EIN | Same as all states (IRS) |
| EIN cost | $0 (IRS) / $49 (ein.so) |
| SS-4 fax number | 855-215-1627 |
State vs Federal
Is the Illinois EIN Different From a Federal EIN?
No. The Illinois EIN and the federal EIN are the same number. The IRS issues one 9-digit EIN per business entity. Illinois does not issue its own EIN. Your Illinois LLC uses the identical federal EIN that any other US LLC uses.
Many founders confuse the federal EIN with Illinois state tax registration. These are two separate items. The EIN comes from the IRS for federal purposes. Illinois state registration comes from the Illinois Department of Revenue for state purposes.
| Item | Issued By | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Federal EIN | IRS | Federal tax ID, banking, hiring |
| Illinois state registration | Department of Revenue | State income tax, sales tax, payroll |
You get the federal EIN first. You may then register with the Illinois Department of Revenue depending on your activities. The EIN does not replace state registration. See our state tax ID page for the distinction.
Non-Resident Path
How Do Non-Residents Apply for an Illinois EIN?
Non-residents apply for an Illinois EIN by faxing Form SS-4 to the IRS at 855-215-1627 with a passport number on Line 7b. No SSN or ITIN is required. The IRS online tool needs an SSN, so most non-residents use the fax route. The IRS issues correctly filed EINs within 4-7 business days.
Form Your Illinois LLC
Gather Your Documents
Complete Form SS-4
Submit by Fax and Receive Your EIN
Illinois SS-4 Field Guide
| SS-4 Field | Entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your Illinois LLC name |
| Line 4 (Address) | Your 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" |
See the full SS-4 form guide and the complete EIN application process. For the no-SSN path, read EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents.
Apply Methods
What Are the Ways to Get an EIN in Illinois?
There are four ways to get an EIN in Illinois, and the method depends on whether you have an SSN. US persons with an SSN can use the instant IRS online tool. Non-residents without an SSN use the fax method to 855-215-1627.
| Method | Speed | SSN Required | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Instant | Yes | Free |
| Fax | 4-7 days | No | Free / $49 |
| Phone | Same day (US calls) | No | Free |
| 4-6 weeks | No | Free |
The process is identical in every state, because the EIN is federal. Most non-residents choose the fax method because the online tool is blocked without an SSN. ein.so files the fax application for $49 Standard or $97 Express. See EIN cost and EIN processing time for a full breakdown.
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. ein.so charges for preparing the SS-4 correctly, reformatting addresses, and faxing the form so it is not silently rejected. Calling the IRS from outside the US means international call costs during US business hours.
Banking & Payments
How Do I Use My Illinois EIN for Banking and Payments?
You use your Illinois EIN to open a US business bank account and connect US payment processors, which give your LLC full access to the dollar economy. Mercury, Relay, and Wise approve most non-resident LLC owners remotely within a few business days.
US Business Bank Account
Stripe on a US Entity
PayPal Business (US)
Payment Platforms
Together, an Illinois LLC, an EIN, and a US bank account let you invoice American clients in dollars and accept card payments. The EIN is the single credential that banks and processors require to verify your US business.
Tax & Compliance
What Should an Illinois LLC Owner Know About Taxes and Compliance?
A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year, and the penalty for not filing is $25,000. The EIN is the starting point for this federal compliance. Illinois adds its own state registration and reporting on top of federal duties.
Federal: Form 5472 + 1120
BOI Report to FinCEN
Illinois State Registration
Annual State Filings
ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. Work with a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters and confirm any state-specific Illinois tax figures with that professional. Your EIN is the first step in US tax compliance, not the last.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN in Illinois
- 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 Department of Revenue — for state income tax, sales tax, or payroll
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Read more — how to get an EIN, EIN without SSN, EIN cost
Other states: Georgia | Ohio | Delaware | Nevada. Browse all on EIN by State.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Illinois 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. Illinois does not issue its own version of an EIN. Your Illinois LLC uses the same federal EIN that a Texas or Florida LLC would use.
How do I get an EIN in Illinois as a non-resident?
Non-residents apply by faxing Form SS-4 to the IRS at 855-215-1627. You enter your passport number on Line 7b. No SSN or ITIN is required. The IRS online tool needs an SSN, so it is not an option for most non-residents. ein.so files the SS-4 for you for $49.
Does Illinois have a separate state tax registration?
Yes. Illinois businesses register with the Illinois Department of Revenue, separate from the federal EIN. You may need a state registration if you have employees, collect sales tax, or owe state income tax. Your federal EIN does not replace Illinois state registration. Confirm your specific duties with a CPA.
How much does it cost to get an EIN in Illinois?
The EIN itself is free from the IRS ($0). ein.so charges $49 Standard or $97 Express to prepare and fax Form SS-4 for non-residents who cannot use the online tool. Forming an Illinois LLC with the Secretary of State carries a separate state filing fee. Confirm the current fee on the state website.
Do I need an SSN to get an EIN in Illinois?
No. Non-residents do not need a Social Security Number to get an EIN. You write your passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b instead. The IRS online application requires an SSN, which is why non-residents use the fax method to 855-215-1627. ein.so handles the entire fax filing for $49.
How long does it take to get an EIN in Illinois?
Through ein.so, Standard processing takes 4-7 business days ($49) and Express takes 2-3 business days ($97). The DIY fax method takes 4-7 business days when the SS-4 is error-free. US persons with an SSN can use the IRS online tool for an instant EIN. See our EIN processing time page for details.
Do I need to form an Illinois LLC before getting an EIN?
You do not have to form an Illinois LLC, but most applicants form a US entity first. You register the LLC with the Illinois Secretary of State, then attach the EIN to that entity. The EIN application asks for your legal business name on Line 1, so the entity should exist first.
What does a foreign-owned Illinois LLC file each year?
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, not always a tax bill. Most US LLCs also file a BOI report with FinCEN. Confirm your full filing obligations with a US CPA.
Can I open a US bank account with an Illinois EIN?
Yes. Mercury, Relay, and Wise accept non-resident LLC owners with an EIN and a valid passport. You submit your EIN assignment letter, formation documents, and passport. The EIN is the federal tax ID that banks require to open a US business account. See our EIN for a bank account guide.
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