State Guide
EIN in Tennessee (TN)
How to get an EIN for your Tennessee business. The EIN is a federal number from the IRS, identical in every state. Non-residents apply with a passport, no SSN required.
Getting an EIN in Tennessee follows the same federal IRS process used in every state. The EIN is a federal number — not state-specific. Your EIN (XX-XXXXXXX) is issued by the IRS and works nationwide. US residents apply free online at irs.gov. Non-residents without an SSN file Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627. ein.so prepares and files your SS-4 and delivers the EIN by email for $49 Standard (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days).
Tennessee attracts business owners with no broad personal state income tax and a central US location. Founders form Tennessee LLCs through the Tennessee Secretary of State, then apply for a federal EIN to open bank accounts, hire staff, and file federal taxes. The EIN itself is identical to one issued for a California or Texas business. This guide explains how to get an EIN in Tennessee, how the federal EIN differs from Tennessee state registration, and how non-residents apply without an SSN or ITIN.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| State | Tennessee (TN) |
| State income tax | No broad personal income tax (Hall tax repealed 2021) |
| LLC formation authority | Tennessee Secretary of State |
| State tax authority | Tennessee Department of Revenue |
| Federal EIN source | IRS (same in all 50 states) |
| EIN cost | $0 (IRS) / $49 (ein.so Standard) / $97 (ein.so Express) |
| EIN fax number | 855-215-1627 |
Federal vs State
Is a Tennessee EIN Different From a Federal EIN?
No. A Tennessee EIN is the same federal EIN issued by the IRS to businesses in every state. The IRS assigns one 9-digit number (XX-XXXXXXX) that works nationwide. Tennessee does not issue a separate state version of an EIN.
The confusion comes from two different numbers a Tennessee business may hold. The federal EIN comes from the IRS through Form SS-4. A separate Tennessee state tax registration comes from the Tennessee Department of Revenue. These serve different purposes and you may need both.
| Identifier | Issued By | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Federal EIN | IRS | Federal taxes, banking, hiring, payment processors |
| Tennessee state tax ID | TN Department of Revenue | Sales tax, franchise tax, excise tax (if applicable) |
Your EIN does not replace state tax registration. A Tennessee LLC that sells taxable goods registers separately with the Department of Revenue. A non-resident LLC with no Tennessee-based operations may have different obligations. Confirm your exact state registration requirements with a CPA. See state tax ID for more detail.
How to Apply
How Do You Get an EIN in Tennessee?
You get an EIN in Tennessee through the IRS by one of four methods: online, fax, phone, or mail. The method depends on whether you have an SSN. US residents with an SSN apply online for instant approval. Non-residents without an SSN use the fax method.
| Method | Speed | Cost | Who Uses It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Instant | $0 | US residents with an SSN |
| Fax | 4-7 business days | $0 / $49 | Non-residents without an SSN |
| Phone | Same call | $0 | International applicants only |
| 4-6 weeks | $0 | Applicants who skip fax |
The federal process is identical in every state. Forming your LLC in Tennessee versus another state does not change the EIN steps. See how to get an EIN for full instructions and EIN processing time for timing detail.
Tennessee Business Steps After Your EIN
- Register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue if your activity requires state tax accounts.
- Obtain any local business licenses for your county or city.
- File your BOI report with FinCEN (a federal requirement for most LLCs).
- Open a US business bank account using your EIN.
Non-Residents
How Does a Non-Resident Get an EIN for a Tennessee LLC?
A non-resident gets an EIN for a Tennessee LLC by filing Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627. You enter your passport number on Line 7b in place of an SSN or ITIN. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so non-residents must use the fax route.
The IRS does not require US residency, an SSN, or an ITIN to issue an EIN. Foreign founders form a Tennessee LLC through a registered agent, then attach the EIN to that entity. ein.so prepares the SS-4, files it by fax, and emails the EIN assignment letter (CP 575).
Form Your Tennessee LLC
Gather Your Documents
Complete Form SS-4
Submit by Fax and Receive Your EIN
SS-4 Field Guide for Non-Residents
| SS-4 Field | Entry for a Non-Resident |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your Tennessee 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 for applying) | Started new business |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | E.g., "e-commerce," "software," "consulting" |
The most common rejection cause is malformed international address formatting. See the full SS-4 form guide, the EIN without SSN guide, and EIN for non-residents.
Cost
How Much Does an EIN in Tennessee Cost?
The EIN costs $0 from the IRS. The IRS never charges a fee to issue an EIN. ein.so charges $49 Standard or $97 Express to prepare and fax Form SS-4 for non-residents who cannot use the free online tool. Tennessee LLC formation fees are paid separately to the state.
The IRS fee and the ein.so service fee are different things. The IRS issues the number for free to anyone who completes Form SS-4 correctly. ein.so charges for the work of preparing an error-free SS-4, faxing it, and tracking the assignment letter, which matters when you have no SSN and cannot use the instant online tool.
| Cost Item | Amount | Paid To |
|---|---|---|
| EIN (IRS fee) | $0 | IRS |
| ein.so Standard filing | $49 (4-7 business days) | ein.so |
| ein.so Express filing | $97 (2-3 business days) | ein.so |
| Tennessee LLC formation | State fee (confirm with Secretary of State) | Tennessee |
| ITIN service (if needed) | $197 Standard / $297 Express | ein.so |
See EIN cost for a full breakdown. An EIN alone does not require an ITIN. You add an ITIN only if your personal US tax situation requires one. Confirm your need for an ITIN with a CPA.
Banking & Payments
How Do You Use a Tennessee EIN for Banking and Payments?
You use a Tennessee EIN to open a US business bank account and connect US payment processors. The EIN is the federal tax ID that links your Tennessee LLC to the US financial system. Mercury and Relay approve many non-resident owners remotely within a few business days.
US Business Bank Account
Stripe and Card Payments
PayPal and Payoneer
Hiring and Contractors
Together, a Tennessee LLC, an EIN, and a US bank account let you invoice American clients in dollars and accept domestic card payments. No US bank opens a business account without an EIN.
Tax & Compliance
What Tax Filings Does a Tennessee LLC With an EIN Require?
A foreign-owned single-member Tennessee LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year with the IRS. The penalty for failing to file is $25,000. This is a federal information return, not necessarily a tax bill. State and federal obligations are separate.
Form 5472 + Pro-Forma 1120
BOI Report to FinCEN
Tennessee State Taxes
Federal Income Tax
ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. Work with a US CPA familiar with non-resident and Tennessee matters. Your EIN is the starting point for US tax compliance, not the end. Tennessee tax specifics change; confirm current rules with a CPA.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN in Tennessee
- 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/boi.
- Register state taxes if needed — check your Tennessee state tax ID obligations with the Department of Revenue.
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing).
- Apply without an SSN — see EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents.
Other states: Arizona | Colorado | Maryland | Indiana. Browse all on EIN by State.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Tennessee 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. Tennessee does not issue its own version of an EIN. A business in Tennessee uses the exact same EIN it would use in any other state for federal tax reporting and banking.
How do I get an EIN in Tennessee?
Apply through the IRS by one of four methods: online at irs.gov (instant, but an SSN is required), by fax to 855-215-1627 (4-7 business days), by phone at 800-829-4933 (international applicants only), or by mail (4-6 weeks). Non-residents without an SSN use the fax method, which ein.so handles for $49 Standard or $97 Express.
Can a non-US resident get an EIN for a Tennessee LLC?
Yes. A non-US resident gets an EIN for a Tennessee LLC by filing Form SS-4 by fax. You enter your passport number on Line 7b instead of an SSN or ITIN. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so non-residents use the fax route. ein.so prepares and faxes your SS-4 and delivers the EIN by email.
How much does it cost to get an EIN in Tennessee?
The EIN is free from the IRS ($0). 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 fax Form SS-4 for non-residents who cannot use the online tool. Tennessee LLC formation fees are paid separately to the state.
Does Tennessee have a state income tax?
Tennessee has no broad personal state income tax on wages and salaries. The former Hall income tax on interest and dividends was fully repealed in 2021. Your federal EIN handles federal tax reporting. Tennessee does impose other business taxes, including franchise and excise taxes on certain entities. Confirm your specific obligations with a CPA.
Do I need a Tennessee state tax ID in addition to my EIN?
Possibly. The federal EIN and Tennessee state tax registration are separate. Tennessee businesses may register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue for sales tax, franchise tax, or excise tax depending on activity. Your EIN does not replace state registration. A non-resident LLC with no Tennessee operations may have different obligations. Confirm with a CPA.
How long does it take to get an EIN in Tennessee by fax?
The IRS returns a faxed EIN in about 4-7 business days when Form SS-4 is error-free. Errors such as a malformed address or a missing responsible party trigger silent rejection and restart the clock. ein.so reviews each SS-4 before filing to prevent rejection. Express service delivers the EIN in 2-3 business days for $97.
What does a foreign-owned Tennessee LLC file each year?
A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year with the IRS. The penalty for failing to file is $25,000. This is a federal information return, not necessarily a tax bill. Most US LLCs also file a BOI report with FinCEN. Confirm your full filing schedule with a CPA.
Can I open a US bank account with a Tennessee LLC EIN?
Yes. A Tennessee LLC with an EIN opens a US business bank account. Mercury and Relay approve many non-resident LLC owners remotely with the EIN letter, formation documents, operating agreement, and a passport. You receive US account and routing numbers for ACH and domestic wires. The EIN is required before any US bank will open the account.
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