State Guide
EIN in South Dakota (SD)
How to get an EIN for your South Dakota business. The EIN is a federal number from the IRS, identical in every state. South Dakota has no state income tax. ein.so files Form SS-4 for non-residents for $49.
Getting an EIN in South Dakota follows the same federal IRS process as every other state. The EIN is a federal number — not state-specific. South Dakota (SD) has no state income tax. The IRS issues your EIN (format XX-XXXXXXX), and it works nationwide. US residents apply free at irs.gov (SSN required). Non-residents file Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627. ein.so files it for $49 (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days).
South Dakota is a low-tax, business-friendly state with no state personal income tax and no corporate income tax on most businesses. Founders form South Dakota LLCs through the South Dakota Secretary of State to gain a US legal entity, then attach a federal EIN to operate. The EIN is identical whether your business sits in South Dakota, Wyoming, or California, because the IRS issues it at the federal level. This guide explains how US residents and non-US residents get an EIN for a South Dakota business, how the federal EIN differs from a South Dakota state tax ID, and what filings follow.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| State | South Dakota (SD) |
| State income tax | No state income tax |
| State formation authority | South Dakota Secretary of State |
| State tax authority | South Dakota Department of Revenue |
| Federal EIN | Same federal number as every state (IRS) |
| EIN cost | $0 (IRS) / $49 Standard or $97 Express (ein.so) |
| IRS EIN fax number | 855-215-1627 |
Federal vs State
Is a South Dakota EIN Different From a Federal EIN?
No. A South Dakota EIN is the same federal EIN issued by the IRS to businesses in every state. South Dakota does not issue its own version of an EIN. The 9-digit number (XX-XXXXXXX) comes from one federal source.
Two separate identifiers cover South Dakota businesses, and founders often confuse them. The federal EIN comes from the IRS and is required for federal tax filing, banking, and hiring. A separate South Dakota state tax registration comes from the Department of Revenue and applies to state-level obligations such as sales tax. Your EIN does not replace state tax registration, and state registration does not replace the EIN.
| Identifier | Source | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Federal EIN | IRS (Form SS-4) | Federal taxes, banking, payroll |
| South Dakota state tax ID | SD Department of Revenue | Sales tax and state obligations |
Most South Dakota businesses with taxable sales need both. The federal EIN is the starting point, and you obtain it first. See the state tax ID guide for how the two interact, and confirm your specific state duties with a CPA.
How to Apply
How Do You Get an EIN in South Dakota?
You get an EIN in South Dakota the same way as every state: by submitting IRS Form SS-4. US residents apply online at irs.gov for an instant EIN. Non-residents without an SSN file by fax to 855-215-1627 and receive the EIN in 4-7 business days.
The application method is federal and identical regardless of state. The table below compares the four IRS channels.
| Method | Speed | Cost | SSN Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Instant | Free | Yes |
| Fax | 4-7 business days | Free / $49 | No |
| Phone | Same day (US callers) | Free | Varies |
| 4-6 weeks | Free | No |
US residents with a Social Security Number use the online tool for an instant EIN. Non-US residents cannot use the online tool because it requires an SSN, so the fax method is the path. See how to get an EIN for the complete walkthrough and EIN processing time for what affects each timeline.
Non-Residents
Can a Non-US Resident Get an EIN for a South Dakota LLC?
Yes. A non-US resident gets an EIN for a South Dakota LLC by filing Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627. No SSN or ITIN is required. You enter your passport number on Line 7b, and the IRS issues the EIN in 4-7 business days.
The IRS online EIN tool blocks anyone without an SSN or ITIN, so non-residents use the fax method. The form must be accurate, because the IRS rejects malformed applications without explanation, which adds weeks of delay.
Form Your South Dakota LLC
Gather Your Documents
Complete Form SS-4
Submit by Fax and Receive Your EIN
The most common rejection cause for non-residents is address or responsible-party formatting that does not map to the SS-4 fields. ein.so reformats foreign addresses to an IRS-accepted style. See the SS-4 form guide and EIN for non-residents for more.
Pricing
How Much Does an EIN Cost in South Dakota?
The EIN costs $0 from the IRS in South Dakota and every state. The IRS never charges a fee for issuing an EIN. ein.so charges $49 (Standard) or $97 (Express) to prepare and file Form SS-4 for non-residents who cannot use the online tool.
The federal EIN fee is always zero. What you pay for is preparation and filing when you cannot use the free online tool or want the form filed without errors.
| Service | Cost | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| IRS online (SSN holders) | $0 | Instant |
| IRS fax (DIY, no SSN) | $0 | 4-7 business days |
| ein.so Standard | $49 | 4-7 business days |
| ein.so Express | $97 | 2-3 business days |
| ein.so ITIN (Standard) | $197 | — |
| ein.so ITIN (Express) | $297 | — |
South Dakota LLC formation has its own state filing fee paid to the Secretary of State, which is separate from the EIN. Confirm the current South Dakota formation fee on the Secretary of State website before you file. See EIN cost for a full breakdown of what is free and what is not.
After the EIN
What Do You Do After Getting an EIN in South Dakota?
After getting an EIN in South Dakota, you register for any required state taxes, open a US business bank account, file your federal BOI report, and meet annual federal filing requirements. The EIN unlocks each of these steps for your South Dakota business.
Open a US Bank Account
Register for State Taxes
File Your BOI Report
File Form 5472 (Foreign-Owned)
ein.so files your EIN and does not provide tax advice. Work with a US CPA familiar with non-resident filings to confirm your federal and South Dakota obligations. Your EIN is the foundation for everything that follows.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN in South Dakota
- Open a US bank account — Mercury and Relay accept non-resident LLC owners with an EIN
- 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)
- Learn the process — read how to get an EIN and the SS-4 form guide
- No SSN? — see EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents
Other states: West Virginia | Rhode Island | North Dakota | Alaska. Browse all on EIN by State.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a South 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 in the format XX-XXXXXXX no matter which state you operate in. South Dakota does not issue its own version of an EIN. A business formed in South Dakota uses the same federal Form SS-4 process as a business in any other state.
How do I get an EIN in South Dakota?
Apply through the IRS one of four ways: online at irs.gov (instant, but an SSN or ITIN is required), by fax to 855-215-1627 (4-7 business days), by phone at 800-829-4933 (same day for US callers), or by mail (4-6 weeks). Non-residents without an SSN use the fax method. ein.so files it for $49 Standard or $97 Express.
Can a non-US resident get an EIN for a South Dakota LLC?
Yes. A non-US resident gets an EIN for a South Dakota LLC by filing Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627. No SSN or ITIN is needed. You enter your passport number on Line 7b. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so non-residents use fax. ein.so prepares and files the form for $49 (4-7 business days) or $97 (2-3 business days).
Does South Dakota have a state tax ID?
Yes. South Dakota issues its own state tax registration through the South Dakota Department of Revenue, separate from your federal EIN. Businesses with taxable sales register for a sales tax license. Whether you need a state tax ID depends on your activities in South Dakota. Confirm your specific obligations with a CPA. ein.so does not provide tax advice.
How much does it cost to get an EIN in South Dakota?
The EIN itself costs $0 from the IRS in every state, including South Dakota. The IRS never charges a fee for issuing an EIN. ein.so charges $49 (Standard, 4-7 business days) or $97 (Express, 2-3 business days) to prepare and file Form SS-4 for non-residents who cannot use the online tool. South Dakota LLC formation has a separate state filing fee.
What is the South Dakota state income tax rate?
South Dakota has no state income tax for individuals or businesses. This is one reason founders choose South Dakota. Your federal EIN is used for federal IRS reporting, while any South Dakota state tax obligations, such as sales tax, are handled separately through the Department of Revenue. Confirm your federal and state filing duties with a CPA.
Does a foreign-owned South Dakota LLC have federal filing requirements?
Yes. A foreign-owned single-member US LLC, including one formed in South Dakota, must file Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for failing to file is $25,000. This is a federal information return, separate from any South Dakota requirement. Review the Form 5472 guide and confirm details with a US CPA familiar with non-resident filings.
How long does it take to get an EIN for a South Dakota business?
Online applicants with an SSN receive an EIN instantly. 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 takes 4-7 business days ($49) and Express takes 2-3 business days ($97). Errors on the SS-4 cause silent IRS rejections that add weeks of delay.
Do I need an EIN before opening a US business bank account in South Dakota?
Yes. US banks and fintech platforms like Mercury and Relay require an EIN to open a business bank account. You provide your EIN assignment letter, your LLC formation documents, and a passport. The EIN links your South Dakota LLC to the US financial system. See the EIN for a bank account guide for the full document checklist.
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