State Guide
EIN in North Dakota (ND)
How to get an EIN for your North Dakota business. The EIN is a federal number from the IRS. Non-residents file Form SS-4 by fax with a passport, no SSN required. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
An EIN is a 9-digit federal tax ID issued by the IRS in the format XX-XXXXXXX. North Dakota does not issue its own EIN. A business registered with the North Dakota Secretary of State uses this single federal number for all federal tax reporting, banking, and payment processing. North Dakota carries a state income tax in the range of 0-2.5%, but that tax is handled through a separate state registration, not through the EIN. This guide explains how non-US residents get an EIN for a North Dakota LLC, how the federal SS-4 process works, and what to do after approval.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| State | North Dakota (ND) |
| State income tax | 0-2.5% (separate from federal) |
| State tax authority | Office of State Tax Commissioner |
| LLC formation | North Dakota Secretary of State |
| Federal EIN | Identical in all 50 states (IRS) |
| EIN cost | $0 (IRS) / $49 (ein.so Standard) |
| IRS EIN fax line | 855-215-1627 |
| SSN required? | No, for non-residents using fax |
Federal vs State
Is a North Dakota EIN Different From a Federal EIN?
No. A North Dakota EIN and a federal EIN are the same thing. The IRS issues one 9-digit EIN that works in all 50 states. North Dakota does not assign its own EIN. The number you get applies nationwide.
People often assume each state issues its own EIN. It does not. The EIN is purely federal. What North Dakota does issue is a separate state tax registration through the Office of State Tax Commissioner. These two identifiers serve different purposes.
| Identifier | Issued By | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Federal EIN | IRS | Federal taxes, banking, payments |
| ND state tax ID | Office of State Tax Commissioner | North Dakota sales and withholding tax |
Your EIN does not replace state tax registration. A North Dakota business may need both, depending on whether it has employees, makes taxable sales, or collects sales tax. Confirm your specific state obligations with a CPA. The federal EIN comes first. See the state tax ID guide and how to get an EIN for the full picture.
Non-Residents
Can a Non-Resident Get an EIN for a North Dakota LLC?
Yes. A non-US resident can form a North Dakota LLC and get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN. You enter your passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so non-residents fax the SS-4 to 855-215-1627.
This is the single most important fact for international founders. The IRS does not require US residency, a visa, or a Social Security Number to assign an EIN. The barrier is technical: the online application validates an SSN, which non-residents lack. The fax route bypasses that requirement entirely.
Form the North Dakota LLC
Use Your Passport, Not an SSN
Fax the SS-4 to the IRS
Receive Your EIN by Email
How to Apply
How Do You Apply for an EIN in North Dakota?
You apply for an EIN in North Dakota through the IRS using one of four methods. The process is federal and identical to every other state. Non-residents use the fax method to 855-215-1627 because the online tool requires an SSN.
| Method | Speed | Cost | SSN Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Instant | $0 | Yes |
| Fax | 4-7 business days | $0 / $49 | No |
| Phone | International applicants | $0 | No |
| About 4 weeks | $0 | No |
Each method submits the same Form SS-4. The difference is speed and whether an SSN is required. For a complete walkthrough, see how to get an EIN and the EIN processing time guide.
Form Your North Dakota LLC
Gather Your Documents
Complete Form SS-4
Fax and Receive the EIN
SS-4 Fields
How Do You Fill Out Form SS-4 for a North Dakota LLC?
You fill out Form SS-4 with your North Dakota LLC name on Line 1, your address on Line 4, your name on Line 7a, and your passport number on Line 7b. The passport number replaces the SSN requirement for non-residents. Errors cause silent IRS rejection.
| SS-4 Field | Entry for a North Dakota LLC |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your North Dakota LLC name |
| Line 4 (Mailing 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 9a (Entity type) | LLC, then number of members |
| Line 10 (Reason) | Started new business |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | E.g., "e-commerce," "consulting," "software" |
The most common rejection cause for non-residents is address formatting that the IRS cannot parse. A malformed international address gets silently rejected, and you lose days waiting for a letter that never arrives. ein.so reformats your address to an IRS-accepted style before faxing. Read the full SS-4 form guide for line-by-line detail.
Avoid these SS-4 mistakes
- Leaving Line 7b blank instead of entering your passport number.
- Listing an entity type that does not match your North Dakota formation.
- Submitting a foreign address the IRS scanner cannot read.
- Faxing a low-quality or cut-off page that the IRS rejects.
Cost & Speed
How Much Does an EIN Cost in North Dakota?
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN in North Dakota. ein.so charges $49 for Standard filing (4-7 business days) or $97 for Express (2-3 business days) for non-residents who cannot use the online tool. The North Dakota LLC formation fee is separate and paid to the state.
The EIN itself is always free from the IRS. What you pay for with ein.so is correct preparation and faxing of Form SS-4, plus delivery of the assigned EIN by email. This matters for non-residents because the free online tool is blocked without an SSN, and a single SS-4 error can cost weeks.
| Service | Price | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| IRS direct (online) | $0 | Instant (SSN required) |
| ein.so Standard | $49 | 4-7 business days |
| ein.so Express | $97 | 2-3 business days |
| ein.so ITIN (Standard) | $197 | If you also need an ITIN |
| ein.so ITIN (Express) | $297 | Faster ITIN handling |
See the full EIN cost breakdown and EIN processing time for current details. The North Dakota Secretary of State LLC filing fee is paid directly to the state; confirm the current amount with the state or a CPA.
State Taxes
What North Dakota State Taxes Apply After You Get an EIN?
North Dakota state taxes are separate from your federal EIN. North Dakota imposes a state income tax in the 0-2.5% range and administers it through the Office of State Tax Commissioner. Your EIN handles federal reporting, while a state tax registration handles North Dakota taxes.
The EIN does not register you for state taxes. If your North Dakota business has employees, makes taxable sales, or collects sales tax, you register separately with the Office of State Tax Commissioner. Many non-resident, single-member LLCs that only serve clients remotely have lighter state obligations, but this depends on your facts.
North Dakota state tax checklist
- Register with the Office of State Tax Commissioner if you have state tax obligations.
- Determine whether your activity triggers North Dakota sales tax collection.
- Keep federal EIN reporting separate from state filings.
- Confirm income tax exposure with a CPA, since rates and rules change.
ein.so files your EIN and does not provide tax advice. Confirm North Dakota sales tax, withholding, and income tax obligations with a US CPA. Your EIN is the federal starting point; the state registration is a separate step.
Federal Compliance
What Federal Filings Does a North Dakota LLC Owe After the EIN?
A foreign-owned single-member North Dakota LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for not filing is $25,000. Most LLCs also file a BOI report with FinCEN. These are federal obligations, separate from North Dakota state filings.
The EIN is the start of federal compliance, not the end. Foreign-owned LLCs face information-reporting duties that carry steep penalties when missed. These filings are federal and apply regardless of which state you formed in.
Form 5472 + Pro-Forma 1120
BOI Report to FinCEN
US Bank Account
Annual State Report
ein.so handles the EIN application only and does not give tax advice. Work with a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters for Form 5472, Form 1120, and North Dakota state filings. See EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN in North Dakota
- 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, free at fincen.gov
- Register for North Dakota state taxes — through the Office of State Tax Commissioner if your activity requires it
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Review the basics — how to get an EIN, EIN without SSN, and EIN cost
Other states: Rhode Island | South Dakota | Alaska | Vermont. Browse all on EIN by State.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a North Dakota EIN different from a federal EIN?
No. The EIN is a federal number issued by the IRS. It is the same 9-digit number regardless of which state you operate in. North Dakota does not issue its own version of an EIN. A business formed with the North Dakota Secretary of State uses this single federal EIN for all federal tax reporting.
How do I get an EIN in North Dakota?
Apply through the IRS 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), or by mail (4 weeks). Non-residents use the fax method. ein.so files it for you at $49 Standard or $97 Express.
Can a non-US resident get an EIN for a North Dakota LLC?
Yes. Non-US residents form a North Dakota LLC and get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN. You enter your passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so non-residents fax the SS-4 to 855-215-1627. ein.so handles the full filing remotely for $49.
Does North Dakota have a state tax ID?
Yes. North Dakota issues a separate state tax registration through the Office of State Tax Commissioner. This is not the same as your federal EIN. You may need both: the EIN for federal taxes and the state registration for North Dakota sales or withholding taxes. Confirm your obligations with a CPA.
How much does it cost to get an EIN in North Dakota?
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. ein.so charges $49 for Standard filing (4-7 business days) or $97 for Express (2-3 business days) for non-residents who cannot use the online tool. Forming the North Dakota LLC itself carries a separate Secretary of State filing fee, paid to the state.
How long does it take to get an EIN in North Dakota?
An online application returns an EIN instantly, but it requires an SSN. The fax method takes 4-7 business days for an error-free Form SS-4. ein.so Standard delivers in 4-7 business days for $49; Express delivers in 2-3 business days for $97. Mail applications take about 4 weeks.
Do I need an SSN to get an EIN for a North Dakota business?
No. You do not need a Social Security Number 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 blocks applicants without an SSN, so the fax method to 855-215-1627 is the path for non-residents.
What federal forms does a foreign-owned North Dakota LLC file?
A foreign-owned single-member North Dakota LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for not filing is $25,000. Most LLCs also file a BOI report with FinCEN. These are federal obligations, separate from North Dakota state filings. Confirm specifics with a US CPA.
Can I open a US bank account with a North Dakota EIN?
Yes. Banks and fintechs like Mercury and Relay accept non-resident LLC owners using the EIN, the LLC formation documents, and a passport. The EIN is the federal tax ID the bank needs to open a business account. North Dakota location does not change this; the EIN works nationwide.
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