State Guide
EIN in Louisiana (LA)
How to get an EIN for your Louisiana 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 Louisiana follows the same federal IRS process used in every state. The EIN is a federal number, not a state-specific one. Non-residents apply by faxing Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627 with a passport number on Line 7b. The IRS online tool requires an SSN. ein.so prepares and files your SS-4 for $49 Standard (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days). The IRS itself charges $0.
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a 9-digit federal tax ID written as XX-XXXXXXX. The IRS issues it. Louisiana does not issue its own version. A Louisiana LLC and a Wyoming LLC receive identical EINs through the same Form SS-4 process. This guide explains how to get an EIN for a Louisiana business, how non-residents apply without an SSN, how the federal EIN differs from Louisiana state registration, and what a foreign-owned LLC files each year.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| EIN type | Federal (IRS), identical in every state |
| EIN format | XX-XXXXXXX (9 digits) |
| State tax authority | Louisiana Department of Revenue |
| State entity authority | Louisiana Secretary of State |
| EIN cost (IRS) | $0 |
| EIN cost (ein.so) | $49 Standard / $97 Express |
| IRS EIN fax line | 855-215-1627 |
| Non-resident ID on SS-4 | Passport number (Line 7b) |
Federal vs State
Is a Louisiana EIN Different From a Federal EIN?
No. A Louisiana EIN is the same federal EIN issued by the IRS to businesses in every state. The IRS assigns one 9-digit number per entity. Louisiana does not change, reissue, or duplicate it. Your federal EIN works nationwide.
Louisiana businesses often confuse the federal EIN with Louisiana state tax registration. They are two separate numbers from two separate authorities. The table below shows the difference.
| Number | Issued by | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Federal EIN | IRS | Federal tax filing, banking, hiring, Form 5472 |
| Louisiana state tax ID | Louisiana Department of Revenue | State sales tax and state withholding |
| Entity registration | Louisiana Secretary of State | Forming and maintaining the LLC |
Your EIN does not replace Louisiana state tax registration. A Louisiana LLC that sells taxable goods registers with the Department of Revenue separately. See our state tax ID overview, and confirm your specific Louisiana registration duties with a Louisiana CPA. ein.so files federal EINs and does not handle state registration.
How to Apply
How Do You Get an EIN in Louisiana?
You get an EIN in Louisiana through the IRS using one of four methods. US residents with an SSN use the online tool for instant issuance. Non-residents without an SSN fax Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627 and receive the EIN in 4-7 business days.
The method depends on whether you hold a US Social Security Number. The process is identical in all 50 states because the EIN is federal.
| Method | Speed | Cost | SSN required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online at irs.gov | Instant | $0 | Yes |
| Fax to 855-215-1627 | 4-7 days | $0 / $49 | No |
| Phone | Same day | $0 | International applicants only |
| 4-6 weeks | $0 | No |
Non-residents cannot use the online tool because it requires an SSN. The fax method to 855-215-1627 is the practical path. See our full how to get an EIN guide and our EIN processing time breakdown for each option.
Non-Residents
How Does a Non-Resident Get an EIN for a Louisiana LLC?
A non-resident gets an EIN for a Louisiana 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 issues a correctly filed EIN in 4-7 business days.
Many non-residents form a Louisiana LLC to run an online business, sell on US marketplaces, or invoice US clients in dollars. The EIN connects that LLC to the US financial system.
Form Your Louisiana LLC
Gather Your Documents
Complete Form SS-4
Fax and Receive Your EIN
Non-residents getting an EIN this way pay $0 to the IRS. ein.so prepares the SS-4, fixes common address and entity-classification errors, and faxes it for $49 (Standard) or $97 (Express). See EIN without an SSN and EIN for non-residents.
SS-4 Fields
What Goes on Form SS-4 for a Louisiana LLC?
Form SS-4 for a Louisiana LLC lists the LLC name, the responsible party, and the reason for applying. Non-residents enter a passport number on Line 7b instead of an SSN. Errors on Line 7b and on the address lines cause most IRS rejections.
The IRS reads each field literally. A malformed international address is silently rejected, which costs weeks. The table below shows the entries that matter most for a non-resident Louisiana applicant.
| SS-4 Field | Entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your Louisiana LLC name |
| Line 4 (Mailing address) | Your foreign home-country address |
| Line 7a (Responsible party) | Your full name as on your passport |
| Line 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN) | Your passport number (no SSN needed) |
| Line 9a (Entity type) | Limited liability company |
| Line 10 (Reason for applying) | Started new business |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | E.g., "software," "e-commerce," "consulting" |
ein.so completes every field, reformats your address to an IRS-accepted style, and verifies the responsible-party entry before faxing. This prevents the rejections that delay DIY applicants. See the complete SS-4 form guide.
Cost
How Much Does an EIN Cost in Louisiana?
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN in Louisiana. 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. Forming the Louisiana LLC itself carries a separate state filing fee.
The EIN fee and the LLC formation fee are different costs paid to different authorities. The table separates them.
| Item | Paid to | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| EIN (DIY by fax) | IRS | $0 |
| EIN (ein.so Standard) | ein.so | $49 |
| EIN (ein.so Express) | ein.so | $97 |
| Louisiana LLC formation | Secretary of State | State filing fee (confirm on official site) |
| ITIN (if needed) | ein.so | $197 Standard / $297 Express |
A non-resident who applies by fax pays the IRS nothing. The ein.so fee covers preparation, error checking, and faxing, which matters because the online instant option is closed to applicants without an SSN. See our EIN cost breakdown.
Annual Filing
What Does a Foreign-Owned Louisiana LLC File Each Year?
A foreign-owned single-member Louisiana LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year with the IRS. The penalty for failing to file Form 5472 is $25,000. This federal rule applies to a Louisiana LLC exactly as it applies in any other state.
The EIN is the starting point for this compliance, not the end. The numbered points below list the main federal obligations after you receive the EIN.
Form 5472 + Pro-Forma 1120
BOI Report to FinCEN
Louisiana State Registration
US Bank Account
ein.so files the EIN and does not provide tax advice. Confirm Form 5472, Form 1120, and Louisiana registration specifics with a US CPA familiar with non-resident filings.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN in Louisiana
- Open a US bank account — Mercury and Relay accept non-resident LLC owners with an EIN and passport
- File your BOI report — required for most LLCs, filed with FinCEN
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Register with Louisiana — set up state tax registration with the Department of Revenue if required
- Apply without an SSN — see EIN without an SSN and EIN for non-residents
Other states: South Carolina | Alabama | Kentucky | Connecticut. Browse all on EIN by State.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Louisiana 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. Louisiana does not issue its own version of an EIN. Your Louisiana LLC uses the exact same federal EIN that a Wyoming or Delaware LLC would receive from the IRS.
How do I get an EIN in Louisiana?
Apply through the IRS. US residents with an SSN use the online tool at irs.gov for instant issuance. Non-residents without an SSN apply by fax to 855-215-1627, which takes 4-7 business days. ein.so prepares and faxes Form SS-4 for non-residents for $49 (Standard, 4-7 days) or $97 (Express, 2-3 days).
Can a non-US resident get an EIN for a Louisiana LLC?
Yes. A non-US resident can get an EIN for a Louisiana 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 the fax method is the path for non-residents. ein.so handles it for $49.
Does Louisiana have a separate state tax ID?
Yes. Louisiana issues a separate state tax registration through the Louisiana Department of Revenue. This is distinct from your federal EIN. The EIN handles IRS reporting; the state ID handles Louisiana sales and withholding taxes. Many Louisiana businesses need both. Confirm your specific registration duties with a Louisiana CPA.
How much does it cost to get an EIN in Louisiana?
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. 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. Forming a Louisiana LLC with the Secretary of State carries a separate state filing fee. Confirm the current LLC fee on the official Louisiana Secretary of State website.
Do I need an SSN to get an EIN in Louisiana?
No. Non-residents do not need an SSN or ITIN to get an EIN. Your foreign passport number serves as identification on Form SS-4 Line 7b. The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN, which is why non-resident applicants must use the fax method to 855-215-1627. ein.so files the fax for you for $49.
How long does an EIN take for a Louisiana business?
An error-free Form SS-4 faxed to the IRS at 855-215-1627 returns an EIN in 4-7 business days. ein.so Standard matches this at $49; Express is 2-3 business days at $97. US residents using the irs.gov online tool receive an EIN instantly. Mail applications take 4-6 weeks. See our EIN processing time guide for details.
What does a foreign-owned Louisiana LLC file with the IRS 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 Form 5472 is $25,000. This is an information return, not always a tax bill. A Louisiana LLC follows the same federal rule as any other state. Confirm your filing obligations with a US CPA.
Can I open a US bank account for my Louisiana LLC with an EIN?
Yes. Once your Louisiana LLC has an EIN, banks like Mercury and Relay accept non-resident owners remotely. You provide your Articles of Organization, EIN assignment letter, Operating Agreement, and passport. The account gives you US routing and account numbers for ACH and domestic wires. See our EIN for a bank account guide.
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