State Guide
EIN in Texas (TX)
How to get an EIN for your Texas business. The EIN is a federal number from the IRS. Non-residents file Form SS-4 by fax with a passport number. Texas has no state income tax.
Getting an EIN in Texas follows the same federal IRS process used in every state. The EIN is a federal number, not state-specific. Non-US residents file Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627 using a passport number on Line 7b. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so non-residents use fax. ein.so prepares and faxes your SS-4 and delivers your EIN by email. Standard costs $49 (4-7 business days). Express costs $97 (2-3 business days).
Texas is the second-largest US state economy and a top destination for new business formation. Founders choose Texas for its no-personal-income-tax structure, large consumer market, and business-friendly registration through the Secretary of State. Whether you form a Texas LLC as a US resident or as a non-resident operating from abroad, your business needs one federal number to open a bank account, file taxes, and run payroll: the EIN. This guide explains how the EIN works in Texas, how non-residents get one without an SSN, and what you file after approval.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| State | Texas (TX) |
| State personal income tax | None |
| State tax authority | Comptroller of Public Accounts |
| Entity registration | Texas Secretary of State |
| Federal EIN | Same as all 50 states (IRS) |
| EIN cost | $0 (IRS) / $49 Standard, $97 Express (ein.so) |
| IRS EIN fax number | 855-215-1627 |
Federal vs State
Is a Texas EIN Different From a Federal EIN?
A Texas EIN is the same as a federal EIN, because the EIN is a federal number issued only by the IRS. Texas does not issue its own EIN. Your 9-digit EIN (XX-XXXXXXX) works in all 50 states and never changes when you operate across state lines.
Many founders confuse the federal EIN with Texas state tax registration. They are two separate numbers from two separate authorities.
| Number | Issued By | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Federal EIN | IRS | Federal taxes, banking, payroll, Form 5472 |
| Texas state tax registration | Comptroller of Public Accounts | Sales tax, franchise tax |
Your EIN does not replace state registration. A Texas business may need both depending on its activities. See state tax ID for how state registration differs from the federal EIN. The federal EIN application is identical whether your LLC is in Texas, Florida, or Wyoming.
Non-Residents
Can a Non-US Resident Get an EIN for a Texas LLC?
Yes. A non-US resident gets an EIN for a Texas LLC without an SSN or ITIN by filing Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627. You enter your passport number on Line 7b. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so non-residents use the fax method instead.
Non-residents form Texas LLCs to access US payment processors, invoice American clients in dollars, and present a US business identity. The EIN connects that LLC to the US financial system. Here is why non-residents come to ein.so for a Texas EIN:
No SSN Required
Fax Is the Only Path
US Banking Access
Remote From Anywhere
How to Apply
How Do You Get an EIN in Texas?
You get an EIN in Texas through one of four IRS methods. The process is identical in every state. US residents with an SSN apply online for an instant EIN. Non-residents without an SSN fax Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627 and receive the EIN in 4-7 business days.
| Method | Speed | SSN Needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Instant | Yes | Free |
| Fax | 4-7 days | No | Free / $49 |
| Phone | Same day | International only | Free |
| 4-6 weeks | No | Free |
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN through every method. ein.so charges $49 Standard or $97 Express to prepare and fax Form SS-4 for non-residents. See how to get an EIN for the complete walkthrough and EIN cost for a full price comparison.
Form Your Texas LLC
Gather Your Documents
Complete Form SS-4
Submit by Fax and Receive Your EIN
SS-4 Fields
How Do You Fill Out Form SS-4 for a Texas LLC?
You fill out Form SS-4 for a Texas LLC by entering the LLC name on Line 1, your address on Line 4, your name as responsible party on Line 7a, and your passport number on Line 7b. Non-residents leave the SSN field unused and enter the passport number instead.
| SS-4 Field | Entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your Texas LLC name |
| Line 4 (Address) | Your home-country 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, with member count |
| Line 10 (Reason) | Started new business |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | E.g., "software," "e-commerce," "consulting" |
The most common rejection cause for non-residents is address formatting. International addresses that do not map to the SS-4 layout get silently rejected by the IRS. ein.so reformats your address to an IRS-accepted style so your application is not bounced. Review the full SS-4 form guide and the complete EIN application process before filing.
Banking & Payments
How Do You Use a Texas EIN for Banking and Payments?
You use a Texas EIN to open a US business bank account and connect US payment processors. Mercury and Relay approve many non-resident Texas LLC owners remotely. Together, a Texas LLC, an EIN, and a US bank account give you full access to the dollar economy.
US Business Bank Account
Stripe on a US Entity
PayPal Business (US)
Amazon and Marketplaces
A Texas business address paired with an EIN strengthens approval odds with banks and processors. The EIN is the single number every one of these platforms requests during onboarding.
Compliance & Taxes
What Does a Texas Business File After Getting an EIN?
A Texas business files federal returns with the IRS and state registrations with the Comptroller of Public Accounts after getting an EIN. Texas has no personal income tax, but it levies a franchise tax on many businesses. A foreign-owned single-member LLC also files Form 5472 each year.
US Filing: Form 5472 + 1120
Texas State Registration
BOI Report to FinCEN
EIN Processing Timing
ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. Work with a US CPA familiar with non-resident and Texas franchise tax matters. The EIN is the starting point for both federal and Texas compliance. Need an ITIN as well? ein.so files ITIN applications for $197 Standard or $297 Express. See EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents.
Why ein.so
Why File Your Texas EIN Through ein.so?
You file your Texas EIN through ein.so to avoid the rejections and delays non-residents hit with the IRS fax method. ein.so prepares Form SS-4 correctly, faxes it to 855-215-1627, and delivers your EIN by email. Standard costs $49 (4-7 business days); Express costs $97 (2-3 business days).
| Path | Cost | Speed | SSN Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRS online | $0 | Instant | Yes |
| IRS fax (DIY) | $0 | 4-7 days | No |
| ein.so Standard | $49 | 4-7 days | No |
| ein.so Express | $97 | 2-3 days | No |
The DIY fax route is free, but a single Line 7b or address error causes a silent rejection and resets the clock. ein.so formats every field to IRS standards, so your first submission lands. The IRS itself never charges for an EIN; ein.so charges only for the filing service. See EIN cost for the full breakdown.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN in Texas
- Open a US bank account — Mercury and Relay accept non-resident LLC owners
- File your BOI report — required for most LLCs, free at fincen.gov
- Set up payments — connect your EIN to Stripe or PayPal
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Register with the Comptroller — for Texas state tax if your activity requires it
Learn more: how to get an EIN | EIN without SSN | EIN for non-residents | SS-4 form guide | EIN processing time.
Other states: Florida | California. Browse all: EIN by State.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Texas 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. Texas does not issue its own version of an EIN. A business in Texas uses the exact same EIN it would use in any other state.
How do I get an EIN in Texas?
Apply through the IRS in four ways: online at irs.gov (instant, SSN required), by fax to 855-215-1627 (4-7 days, no SSN needed), by phone at 800-829-4933 (same day), or by mail (4-6 weeks). Non-residents without an SSN use the fax method. ein.so files it for $49.
Can a non-US resident get an EIN for a Texas LLC?
Yes. A non-US resident can get an EIN for a Texas LLC without an SSN or ITIN. You enter your passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b and fax the form to 855-215-1627. The IRS online tool is blocked without an SSN, so non-residents use fax. ein.so handles this remotely for $49.
How much does it cost to get an EIN in Texas?
The EIN is free from the IRS ($0). The IRS never charges for an EIN through any method. 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. Texas charges a separate state LLC filing fee.
Does Texas have a state income tax?
No. Texas has no state personal income tax. Texas does levy a franchise tax on many businesses through the Comptroller of Public Accounts, and businesses report through a state tax registration. Your federal EIN handles federal tax reporting. Confirm your franchise tax and sales tax duties with a Texas CPA.
Do I need a Texas state tax ID in addition to my EIN?
You may need both. Your federal EIN comes from the IRS for federal taxes. A Texas state tax registration comes from the Comptroller of Public Accounts for sales tax and franchise tax. The EIN does not replace state registration. Whether you need a state ID depends on your business activity in Texas.
How long does it take to get an EIN in Texas as a non-resident?
Through ein.so, Standard processing takes 4-7 business days ($49) and Express takes 2-3 business days ($97). The DIY fax method takes 4-7 business days when the SS-4 is error-free. The most common delay is an address or Line 7b formatting error that triggers a silent IRS rejection.
What does a foreign-owned single-member Texas LLC have to file each year?
A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 plus a pro-forma Form 1120 each year with the IRS. The penalty for not filing is $25,000. This is an information return, not always a tax bill. You also report beneficial ownership to FinCEN. Confirm all filings with a US CPA.
Can I open a US business bank account with a Texas LLC and EIN?
Yes. A Texas LLC with an EIN can open a US business bank account. Mercury and Relay approve many non-resident LLC owners remotely with the EIN letter, Articles of Organization, Operating Agreement, and a passport. You receive US account and routing numbers for ACH and domestic wires.
Need an EIN? We Handle Everything.
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