State Guide
EIN in Maine (ME)
How to get an EIN for your Maine business. The EIN is a federal IRS number, identical in every state. Non-residents file Form SS-4 by fax with a passport number. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
Getting an EIN in Maine follows the same federal IRS process used in every state. The EIN is a federal number, not state-specific. Maine (ME) has a state income tax in the 5.8-7.15% range. Your EIN (XX-XXXXXXX) is issued by the IRS and works nationwide. US residents apply free at irs.gov with an SSN. Non-residents file Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627. ein.so handles the fax filing for $49 (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days).
A business in Maine needs an EIN to file federal taxes, open a US bank account, hire employees, and register for state tax accounts. The EIN is a 9-digit federal tax identification number from the IRS. It does not change based on your state. A Maine LLC, a Texas LLC, and a Wyoming LLC all use the identical Form SS-4 application. This guide explains how US residents and non-US residents get an EIN for a Maine business, how the federal EIN differs from the Maine state tax ID, and what compliance steps follow approval.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| State | Maine (ME) |
| State income tax | 5.8-7.15% range |
| State tax authority | Maine Revenue Services |
| LLC formation | Maine Secretary of State |
| Federal EIN | Same as all states (IRS) |
| EIN cost | $0 (IRS) / $49 (ein.so) |
| IRS fax for SS-4 | 855-215-1627 |
Federal vs State
Is a Maine EIN Different From a Federal EIN?
A Maine EIN is not a separate thing. The EIN is a single federal number issued by the IRS. The same 9-digit EIN works in Maine, in every other state, and nationwide. Maine does not issue its own version of an EIN.
The confusion comes from two different identifiers. Your federal EIN comes from the IRS and covers federal tax filings. Your Maine state tax registration comes from Maine Revenue Services and covers state-level taxes such as sales tax and employer withholding. These are separate numbers from separate authorities. Your EIN does not replace state registration, and state registration does not replace your EIN.
| Identifier | Issued By | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Federal EIN | IRS | Federal taxes, banking, hiring, Form SS-4 |
| Maine state tax ID | Maine Revenue Services | State sales tax, withholding, state filings |
Most businesses operating in Maine need both. You get the EIN first, then use it to register with Maine Revenue Services. See state tax ID for the distinction and EIN cost for a full price breakdown.
Methods
How Do You Get an EIN in Maine?
You get an EIN in Maine through the IRS using one of four methods. The online tool is instant but requires an SSN. The fax method works for non-residents and takes 4-7 business days. Phone reaches international applicants. Mail takes 4-6 weeks.
| Method | Speed | SSN Required | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Instant | Yes | Free |
| Fax | 4-7 business days | No | Free / $49 |
| Phone | Same day | No | Free |
| 4-6 weeks | No | Free |
The process is identical regardless of state. A Maine applicant uses the same Form SS-4 as an applicant anywhere else in the US. See how to get an EIN for complete instructions and EIN processing time for current timelines.
Which Method Fits You
US Resident With SSN
Non-Resident Without SSN
Need It Handled For You
Non-Residents
Can Non-US Residents Get an EIN for a Maine Business?
Yes. Non-US residents get an EIN for a Maine 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 is blocked without an SSN, so the fax method is your path.
Maine welcomes non-resident business owners the same way every state does, because EIN issuance is a federal function. You form a Maine LLC with the Maine Secretary of State through a registered agent, then apply for the federal EIN that attaches to that entity. You do not need to visit the United States.
Form Your Maine LLC
Gather Your Documents
Complete Form SS-4
Fax and Receive Your EIN
A common rejection cause is address formatting. Foreign address layouts do not map cleanly to the SS-4 fields, and the IRS rejects malformed entries. ein.so reformats your address to an IRS-accepted style. See EIN for non-residents and EIN without SSN.
SS-4 Fields
How Do You Fill Out Form SS-4 for a Maine LLC?
You fill out Form SS-4 with your Maine LLC name, your address, your name as responsible party, and your passport number if you have no SSN. The form is one page. A single error in the address or name fields can delay the EIN by weeks.
| SS-4 Field | What to Enter |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your Maine LLC name |
| Line 4 (Address) | Your home or business address |
| Line 7a (Responsible party) | Your full name as on your passport |
| Line 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN) | Your passport number (non-residents) |
| Line 9a (Entity type) | LLC details |
| Line 10 (Reason) | Started new business |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | E.g., "e-commerce," "consulting," "software" |
The responsible party on Line 7a must be a person, not a company. Non-residents leave the SSN blank and write the passport number instead. US residents with an SSN can skip the fax entirely and use the instant online tool. See the full SS-4 form guide and the complete EIN application process.
Avoid these SS-4 mistakes
- Malformed addresses that the IRS silently rejects.
- Entering a company name on Line 7a instead of a person.
- Leaving Line 7b fully blank when no SSN exists; use the passport number.
- Selecting the wrong entity type on Line 9a.
Banking & Compliance
What Comes After Getting an EIN in Maine?
After getting your EIN, you register with Maine Revenue Services for state taxes, open a US business bank account, file your federal BOI report, and meet annual federal filing duties. The EIN unlocks each of these steps.
Register With Maine Revenue Services
Open a US Bank Account
File Your BOI Report
File Form 5472 Annually
Maine has a state income tax in the 5.8-7.15% range, separate from federal taxes. Your EIN handles federal reporting; your Maine state registration handles state taxes. ein.so files the EIN and does not provide tax advice. Confirm your federal and Maine tax obligations with a CPA familiar with non-resident matters. If you also need a personal US tax number, ein.so offers an ITIN service at $197 Standard or $297 Express.
Cost Comparison
How Much Does an EIN in Maine Cost?
An EIN costs $0 from the IRS, which never charges for issuing one. ein.so charges $49 Standard or $97 Express to prepare and fax your Form SS-4 for non-residents who cannot use the online tool. Maine LLC formation has a separate state filing fee.
| Item | Cost | Who Charges |
|---|---|---|
| EIN (IRS direct) | $0 | IRS |
| ein.so Standard EIN filing | $49 | ein.so (4-7 business days) |
| ein.so Express EIN filing | $97 | ein.so (2-3 business days) |
| ITIN (ein.so Standard) | $197 | ein.so |
| ITIN (ein.so Express) | $297 | ein.so |
| Maine LLC formation | State filing fee | Maine Secretary of State |
The EIN is free if you file it yourself and have no errors. ein.so charges for preparing the SS-4 correctly, faxing it to the IRS, and emailing your confirmation, which removes the international call and rejection risk. See EIN cost for the full breakdown and EIN processing time for timelines.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN in Maine
- Register with Maine Revenue Services — for state sales tax and withholding accounts
- Open a US bank account — Mercury, Relay, and Wise accept non-resident LLC owners
- File your BOI report — required for most LLCs with FinCEN
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Learn the process — read how to get an EIN and the SS-4 form guide
Other states: Idaho | New Hampshire | New Mexico | Montana. Browse all on EIN by State. Non-resident? Start with EIN for non-residents and EIN without SSN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Maine 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. Maine does not issue its own version of an EIN. A business formed in Maine uses the exact same Form SS-4 process as a business in any other US state.
How do I get an EIN in Maine?
Apply through the IRS using one of four methods. The online tool at irs.gov is instant but requires an SSN. Fax to 855-215-1627 takes 4-7 business days. Phone at 800-829-4933 reaches international applicants. Mail takes 4-6 weeks. ein.so files the SS-4 by fax for non-residents at $49 Standard or $97 Express.
Can non-US residents get an EIN for a Maine business?
Yes. Non-US residents get an EIN for a Maine 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 is blocked without an SSN, so the fax method is the path. ein.so handles this filing for $49.
Does Maine have a state tax ID separate from the EIN?
Yes. Maine issues its own state tax registration through Maine Revenue Services. This is separate from your federal EIN. You may need both: the federal EIN for IRS filings and the Maine registration for state-level taxes such as sales tax and withholding. Confirm your specific obligations with a CPA.
How much does it cost to get an EIN in Maine?
The EIN itself is free from the IRS ($0). The IRS never charges for issuing an EIN. ein.so charges $49 Standard (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days) to prepare and fax your Form SS-4 for you. Maine LLC formation has a separate state filing fee paid to the Secretary of State.
Do I need an SSN to get an EIN in Maine?
No. You do not need an SSN to get an EIN for a Maine business. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, but non-residents bypass it by filing Form SS-4 by fax with a passport number on Line 7b. US residents with an SSN can use the instant online tool. ein.so serves non-resident applicants who lack an SSN.
How long does it take to get an EIN in Maine?
Online with an SSN is instant. The fax method takes 4-7 business days when the SS-4 is error-free. Mail takes 4-6 weeks. Through ein.so, Standard processing is 4-7 business days ($49) and Express is 2-3 business days ($97). A single formatting error on the SS-4 can add weeks of delay.
What taxes does a Maine business pay after getting an EIN?
Maine has a state income tax in the 5.8-7.15% range, separate from federal taxes. The EIN handles federal reporting; the Maine state tax ID handles state taxes. A foreign-owned single-member LLC also files federal Form 5472 plus a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. Confirm your exact tax position with a CPA.
What is the IRS fax number for an EIN from Maine?
The IRS fax number for Form SS-4 is 855-215-1627 for applicants with no US legal residence. The IRS phone line for international EIN applicants is 800-829-4933. The fax method takes 4-7 business days. ein.so files your SS-4 by fax and emails your EIN confirmation, so you do not manage the IRS directly.
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