State Guide
EIN in Pennsylvania (PA)
How to get an EIN for your Pennsylvania business. The EIN is a federal number from the IRS. Non-residents apply with a passport. $49 Standard, $97 Express.
Getting an EIN in Pennsylvania uses the same federal IRS process as every state. The EIN is a federal number, not state-specific. Non-residents apply by fax with a passport on Form SS-4 Line 7b. No SSN or ITIN is needed. The IRS charges $0. ein.so files the SS-4 and delivers your EIN for $49 (4-7 business days) or $97 (2-3 business days).
Pennsylvania is the fifth-largest US state economy, anchored by Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Founders register LLCs in Pennsylvania for proximity to the Northeast market, US banking, and a US business identity. Every US LLC needs an EIN before it can open a bank account, file federal taxes, or hire. This guide explains how to get an EIN in Pennsylvania, how the federal EIN differs from a Pennsylvania state tax ID, and what non-residents do when the IRS online tool blocks them. For the broad picture, see how to get an EIN and EIN for non-residents.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| State | Pennsylvania (PA) |
| State personal income tax | 3.07% flat (2026) |
| State tax authority | Pennsylvania Department of Revenue |
| LLC formation authority | Pennsylvania Department of State |
| Federal EIN | Same in all 50 states (IRS) |
| EIN cost | $0 (IRS) / $49 (ein.so) |
| IRS EIN fax | 855-215-1627 |
State vs Federal
Is a Pennsylvania EIN Different From a Federal EIN?
A Pennsylvania EIN is not a separate thing. The EIN is a federal number issued only by the IRS. It is the same 9-digit number in Pennsylvania and every other state. Pennsylvania does not issue its own EIN.
Two different identifiers cause confusion. The federal EIN comes from the IRS and is used for federal tax filings, banking, and payroll. The Pennsylvania state tax account comes from the Department of Revenue and is used for state-level obligations like sales tax and employer withholding. You may need both, and the EIN does not replace state registration.
| Identifier | Issued By | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Federal EIN (XX-XXXXXXX) | IRS | Federal taxes, banking, payroll, Form 5472 |
| PA state tax account | PA Department of Revenue | PA sales tax, employer withholding |
| PA entity number | PA Department of State | LLC formation records |
The federal EIN process never changes by state. The SS-4 you file for a Pennsylvania LLC is identical to one for a Wyoming or Delaware LLC. See state tax ID for how the state-level account fits in.
Methods
How Do You Get an EIN in Pennsylvania?
You get an EIN in Pennsylvania through the IRS by one of four methods: online, fax, phone, or mail. The fastest is online (instant) but it requires an SSN. Non-residents without an SSN use fax to 855-215-1627, which the IRS processes in 4-7 business days.
| Method | Speed | Cost | SSN Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online (irs.gov) | Instant | $0 | Yes |
| Fax (855-215-1627) | 4-7 business days | $0 / $49 | No |
| Phone (800-829-4933) | Same day | $0 | Restricted |
| 4-6 weeks | $0 | No |
The online tool is the simplest route for US residents with an SSN. Non-residents are blocked from it and rely on the fax method. The phone line works for international applicants in limited cases but requires calling during US business hours. Mail is the slowest at 4-6 weeks. See EIN processing time and EIN cost for a full breakdown of speed and price.
Step-by-Step
How Do Non-Residents Apply for an EIN for a Pennsylvania LLC?
Non-residents submit IRS Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627 using a passport number on Line 7b. No SSN or ITIN is needed. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so the fax method is the working path. Correctly filed EINs arrive in 4-7 business days.
Form Your Pennsylvania LLC
Gather Your Documents
Complete Form SS-4
Fax and Receive Your EIN
Pennsylvania SS-4 Field Guide
| SS-4 Field | Entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your Pennsylvania LLC name |
| Line 4 (Mailing address) | Your home-country 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 is a malformed international address that the IRS silently rejects. See the full SS-4 form guide and the EIN without SSN guide.
Banking & Payments
How Do You Use a Pennsylvania EIN for US Banking?
You use a Pennsylvania EIN to open a US business bank account and connect payment processors. Banks require the EIN, your LLC formation documents, and a passport. Mercury and Relay approve most non-resident LLC owners remotely within a few business days.
US Business Bank Account
Stripe Payments
PayPal Business
Payment Platforms
The EIN, the LLC, and a US bank account together give a non-resident full access to the dollar economy. See EIN for a bank account for documentation checklists by bank.
Taxes & Compliance
What Are the Tax and Compliance Steps After Getting a Pennsylvania EIN?
After getting your EIN, register with Pennsylvania for state taxes, file your federal information returns, and report beneficial ownership to FinCEN. A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The non-filing penalty is $25,000.
Pennsylvania State Registration
Federal Filing: Form 5472 + 1120
BOI Report to FinCEN
Pennsylvania Income Tax
ein.so handles the EIN application only and does not provide tax advice. Work with a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters and a Pennsylvania state tax professional. Your EIN is the starting point for both federal and Pennsylvania compliance. If you also need a personal US tax ID, ein.so files ITIN applications for $197 (Standard) or $297 (Express).
Pricing
How Much Does an EIN in Pennsylvania Cost?
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN in Pennsylvania. 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 IRS online tool. Pennsylvania LLC formation is a separate state filing fee.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IRS EIN (DIY) | $0 | You file the SS-4 yourself |
| ein.so EIN Standard | $49 | 4-7 business days |
| ein.so EIN Express | $97 | 2-3 business days |
| ein.so ITIN Standard | $197 | Personal US tax ID |
| ein.so ITIN Express | $297 | Faster ITIN handling |
| PA LLC formation | State filing fee | Paid to PA Department of State |
The EIN itself is always free from the IRS. ein.so charges for preparing and faxing the SS-4 correctly so non-residents avoid silent rejections and repeated delays. See EIN cost for a full price comparison and EIN processing time for delivery speed details.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN in Pennsylvania
- Open a US bank account — Mercury, Relay, and Wise accept non-resident LLC owners
- Register with Pennsylvania — set up your state tax ID with the Department of Revenue if required
- File your BOI report — required for most LLCs, free at fincen.gov/boi
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Review the process — read how to get an EIN, EIN without SSN, and the SS-4 form guide
Other states: Wyoming | Washington | Virginia | North Carolina. Browse all on EIN by State.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Pennsylvania 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. Pennsylvania does not issue its own version of an EIN. The federal SS-4 process is identical in all 50 states.
How do I get an EIN in Pennsylvania as a non-resident?
Submit IRS Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627 using your passport number on Line 7b. No SSN or ITIN is needed. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so non-residents use the fax route. ein.so files it for you for $49 (4-7 business days) or $97 (2-3 business days).
Does Pennsylvania have a state tax ID separate from the EIN?
Yes. Pennsylvania issues its own state tax registration through the Department of Revenue, often via the myPATH and PA-100 enterprise registration. This is separate from your federal EIN. You may need both: the EIN for federal taxes and the state account for Pennsylvania sales tax and employer taxes.
How much does it cost to get an EIN in Pennsylvania?
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. ein.so charges $49 for Standard EIN filing (4-7 business days) or $97 for Express (2-3 business days) for non-residents who cannot use the online tool. Pennsylvania LLC formation is a separate state filing fee paid to the Department of State.
What is the Pennsylvania state income tax rate?
Pennsylvania levies a 3.07% flat state personal income tax as of 2026. This is separate from federal taxes filed with your EIN. Confirm how your LLC income is taxed in Pennsylvania with a Pennsylvania CPA, because pass-through and corporate treatment differ. ein.so does not provide tax advice.
Can I form a Pennsylvania LLC without living in the US?
Yes. Non-residents can form a Pennsylvania LLC through the Pennsylvania Department of State using a registered office or commercial registered office provider in the state. You do not need a US visa or US residency. After formation, apply for your EIN by fax with your passport on Form SS-4.
Do I need an SSN to get an EIN for my Pennsylvania business?
No. Non-residents do not need an SSN or ITIN. Your passport number goes on Form SS-4 Line 7b. The IRS online application requires an SSN, which blocks most non-residents, so the fax method to 855-215-1627 is the working path. ein.so handles this filing end to end.
What does a foreign-owned Pennsylvania LLC file each year?
A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files IRS Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for not filing is $25,000. Pennsylvania may also require an annual or decennial filing and state tax returns. Confirm federal and state obligations with a US CPA.
How fast can ein.so deliver my Pennsylvania EIN?
ein.so Standard delivers your EIN in 4-7 business days for $49. Express delivers in 2-3 business days for $97. The DIY fax route takes 4-7 business days when the SS-4 is error-free. The IRS phone line (800-829-4933) gives same-day EINs but is restricted for international applicants.
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