Comparison
ein.so vs Incfile Compared
ein.so files Form SS-4 for non-US residents at $49 Standard (4-7 business days) and $97 Express (2-3 business days). Incfile pairs EIN with LLC formation. Compare price, speed, and non-resident focus.
Last updated: June 2, 2026
ein.so files your EIN for $49 Standard (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days) and is built for non-US residents using the passport-based fax method. Incfile centers on US LLC formation and treats the EIN as an add-on. Both deliver the same 9-digit IRS number. The difference is price, speed, and non-resident focus.
Choosing an EIN service is a choice about price, speed, and fit. ein.so is the non-resident specialist: it files IRS Form SS-4 by fax, uses your passport number on Line 7b, and delivers your EIN by email for $49. Incfile is a US LLC formation company that also handles EINs as part of its broader package lineup. This guide compares the two on price, processing time, non-resident support, and what each fee actually includes. Every legitimate provider delivers the same EIN from the IRS, so the real decision is what you pay and how well the service fits a foreign-owned US LLC.
| Factor | ein.so | Incfile |
|---|---|---|
| Core product | EIN filing (Form SS-4) | US LLC formation |
| Standard EIN price | $49 | Add-on to formation |
| Express EIN price | $97 (2-3 days) | Not a fixed standalone tier |
| Processing (Standard) | 4-7 business days | Varies with workflow |
| Non-resident focus | Yes (passport method) | Formation-oriented |
| Support | WhatsApp, multilingual | Email / phone |
| IRS fee for the EIN | $0 | $0 |
Price & Speed
How Do ein.so and Incfile Compare on Price and Speed?
ein.so charges $49 for Standard EIN filing (4-7 business days) and $97 for Express (2-3 business days), both as standalone products. Incfile prices its EIN as an add-on tied to LLC formation, so the EIN cost sits inside a larger package rather than as a fixed standalone fee.
The table below sets ein.so against common formation-first providers. Competitor prices change often and EIN handling is usually bundled, so treat third-party figures as approximate and confirm current pricing on each provider's site before paying.
| Provider | Standalone EIN price | Express | Standard processing | Non-resident? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ein.so | $49 | $97 (2-3 days) | 4-7 business days | Yes |
| Incfile | EIN bundled with formation | Not a fixed tier | Varies with workflow | Formation-oriented |
| Northwest | Often bundled with formation | Not a fixed tier | Varies | Limited |
| ZenBusiness | Often bundled with formation | Not a fixed tier | Varies | Limited |
| LegalZoom | Add-on, higher tier | Add-on | Varies | Limited |
What drives the price difference
- ein.so sells the EIN as one focused product, so you pay only for Form SS-4 filing.
- Formation companies bundle the EIN into LLC packages, registered-agent plans, and renewals.
- The IRS fee for the EIN is $0 at every provider. You pay for preparation, fax submission, and follow-up.
- Express at ein.so cuts delivery to 2-3 business days for $97.
For the underlying numbers, see EIN cost and EIN processing time.
What's Included
What Does Each EIN Service Actually Include?
Both services deliver the same 9-digit EIN from the IRS, so the included work is what separates them. ein.so includes Form SS-4 preparation, fax submission to 855-215-1627, application monitoring, and email delivery of the EIN assignment letter. Incfile folds EIN handling into a formation package alongside other services.
| Included | ein.so ($49) | Formation-first providers |
|---|---|---|
| Form SS-4 preparation | Yes | Yes |
| Passport-based filing (no SSN) | Yes (Line 7b) | Often requires SSN online tool |
| IRS submission method | Fax (855-215-1627) | Varies |
| EIN delivery | Email / mail | |
| Application follow-up | Yes | Varies |
| LLC formation | Not included | Included in package |
| Registered agent | Not included | Often bundled / renews |
| Support channel | WhatsApp, multilingual | Email / phone |
What You Are Paying For
The EIN itself is free from the IRS. A service fee covers four things: correct Form SS-4 completion that reduces rejection risk, reliable fax submission to the IRS, monitoring the application until the number issues, and customer support when you have questions. ein.so charges $49 for this and adds nothing you did not ask for. Formation companies attach the EIN to LLC packages, so you also pay for services you may already have. See the full EIN application process and the line-by-line SS-4 form guide.
Non-Resident Focus
Which Service Is Built for Non-US Residents?
ein.so is built specifically for non-US residents who have no SSN or ITIN, because it files Form SS-4 by fax using your passport number on Line 7b. Incfile and most formation companies orient their EIN handling toward applicants who can use the IRS online tool, which requires an SSN.
The IRS online EIN tool blocks anyone without an SSN. That single rule decides the path for most international founders. Non-residents must fax Form SS-4 to the IRS, and the responsible party enters a passport number rather than an SSN or ITIN. ein.so does this every day.
You provide your details
ein.so prepares Form SS-4
ein.so faxes the IRS
You receive your EIN by email
A non-resident who only needs an EIN should not pay for an LLC formation bundle to get one. ein.so files the EIN as a standalone product no matter where you formed your LLC. See EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents for the full method.
Decision Guide
When Should You Choose ein.so Over Incfile?
Choose ein.so when you already have a US LLC and only need the EIN, because you pay $49 for the filing alone instead of a formation package. Choose a formation-first provider only when you genuinely need LLC formation and EIN handling combined in one purchase.
You only need the EIN
You have no SSN or ITIN
You want a fast, fixed timeline
You need multilingual support
Watch for bundled costs and renewals
- Formation packages often renew registered-agent fees yearly, separate from the one-time EIN.
- An EIN add-on inside a package can cost more than a $49 standalone filing once formation fees are counted.
- Neither an EIN fee nor a basic formation package includes annual Form 5472 filing for foreign-owned LLCs.
- The Form 5472 non-filing penalty is $25,000. Confirm your filing duties with a US CPA.
After Your EIN
What Do You Do After Getting Your EIN From Either Service?
After the IRS issues your EIN, you use it to open a US business bank account, connect payment processors, and meet annual federal filing duties. The EIN is the federal tax ID that links your foreign-owned US LLC to the US financial system, and the next steps are the same no matter who filed your SS-4.
Open a US bank account
File your BOI report
File Form 5472 annually
Need an ITIN later?
ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. Work with a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters to confirm Form 5472 and other federal filings. Your EIN is the starting point for US tax compliance, not the whole picture.
Next Steps
Get Your EIN With the Non-Resident Specialist
- Apply for your EIN — $49 Standard (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days)
- Read the SS-4 form guide — see the passport-based Line 7b method
- Check EIN cost — the IRS fee is $0; the service fee covers filing
- Review processing time — fax method delivers in 4-7 business days when correct
- Get an EIN without an SSN — the working path for non-residents
Related guides: EIN for non-residents | How to get an EIN | EIN for a bank account | Form 5472 guide | BOI filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which EIN service is cheapest, ein.so or Incfile?
ein.so charges $49 for Standard EIN filing and $97 for Express. Incfile prices its EIN as an add-on to LLC formation rather than a standalone product, so the all-in cost is higher once formation fees are included. For a non-resident who already has an LLC and only needs the EIN, ein.so's $49 standalone filing is the lower-cost path.
Is the EIN from ein.so the same as the one from Incfile?
Yes. The IRS issues every EIN. The 9-digit number is identical regardless of which service files Form SS-4 for you. You are paying for accurate form preparation, IRS fax submission, and follow-up, not for the EIN itself. The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. See our EIN cost breakdown for the full picture.
Does Incfile file EINs for non-US residents without an SSN?
Incfile is built around US LLC formation, and its EIN handling is oriented toward applicants who can use the IRS online tool. Non-residents without an SSN must file Form SS-4 by fax, with a passport number on Line 7b. ein.so specializes in this fax method for non-residents. Confirm current non-resident support directly with any provider before paying.
How fast does ein.so process an EIN compared to Incfile?
ein.so Standard delivers in 4-7 business days for $49, and Express delivers in 2-3 business days for $97. Both include Form SS-4 preparation, IRS fax submission to 855-215-1627, and EIN delivery by email. Incfile EIN turnaround varies and is tied to its formation workflow rather than a fixed standalone timeline.
Do I need an SSN to use ein.so?
No. ein.so files Form SS-4 by fax using your passport number on Line 7b. No SSN or ITIN is required. The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN, which blocks most non-residents, so the fax method is the working path. ein.so handles the fax submission and monitors the application until the IRS issues your EIN.
Why choose ein.so over Incfile for an EIN?
ein.so files EINs as its core product for $49, focuses exclusively on non-US residents, and uses the passport-based fax method on Form SS-4. There are no LLC formation bundles or registered-agent upsells attached to the EIN. Support runs over WhatsApp in English, Bengali, Hindi, and Urdu, which suits international founders in different time zones.
Can I get an EIN for free instead of paying ein.so or Incfile?
Yes, if you have an SSN or ITIN. The IRS charges $0 and the online tool issues the EIN immediately. Non-residents without an SSN cannot use the online tool and must fax Form SS-4, which takes 4-7 business days when filed correctly. ein.so charges $49 to prepare and fax the form and track it to issuance.
I formed my LLC with Incfile. Can ein.so still get my EIN?
Yes. ein.so files the EIN as a standalone service regardless of where you formed your LLC. You provide the LLC name, formation state, formation date, your full name, and your passport number. ein.so prepares Form SS-4 and faxes it to the IRS. The $49 Standard or $97 Express fee covers only the EIN filing.
Does either service file Form 5472 for my foreign-owned LLC?
Neither the EIN filing fee at ein.so nor a basic Incfile package includes annual Form 5472 filing. A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 plus a pro-forma Form 1120 each year, and the penalty for non-filing is $25,000. ein.so does not provide tax advice. Confirm your filing duties with a US CPA.
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