Comparison
ein.so vs Northwest Registered Compared
ein.so files Form SS-4 with the IRS for $49 and focuses only on EINs for non-US residents. Northwest Registered Agent bundles EINs into formation and registered agent packages. Compare price, speed, and what you get.
Last updated: June 2, 2026
ein.so files IRS Form SS-4 for non-US residents at $49 and focuses only on EINs. Northwest Registered Agent bundles EIN service into LLC formation and registered agent plans for a broad US market. Both deliver the same 9-digit EIN issued by the IRS. The difference is price, speed, and non-resident focus. ein.so Standard costs $49 (4-7 business days). Express costs $97 (2-3 business days).
ein.so and Northwest Registered Agent solve different problems. ein.so is a specialist that prepares and faxes Form SS-4 to the IRS for applicants who have no SSN and no ITIN. Northwest Registered Agent is a full-service formation company that registers LLCs, acts as a registered agent, and adds an EIN to those packages. If you already own a US LLC and need only the federal tax ID, the focused $49 ein.so filing is the cheaper route. If you want formation and ongoing registered agent service bundled, Northwest covers that. This guide compares both on price, speed, non-resident support, and what each one includes.
| Factor | ein.so | Northwest Registered Agent |
|---|---|---|
| Core focus | EINs for non-US residents | LLC formation + registered agent |
| Standalone EIN price | $49 | Add-on to packages (confirm current pricing) |
| Express EIN price | $97 (2-3 business days) | Not advertised as a standalone tier |
| EIN issued by | IRS | IRS |
| Works without SSN/ITIN | Yes (passport on Line 7b) | Varies by package |
| Submission method | IRS fax (855-215-1627) | Service-handled |
| LLC formation | No | Yes |
Price
How Much Does an EIN Cost at ein.so vs Northwest?
ein.so charges $49 for a standalone EIN filing and $97 for Express. Northwest Registered Agent sells EIN service as an add-on to its formation and registered agent packages, so the EIN is rarely priced alone at $49. The IRS itself charges $0 for the EIN regardless of provider.
The number you receive is identical no matter who files. You pay a service for accurate Form SS-4 preparation and reliable IRS submission, not for the EIN. ein.so keeps the price low by doing one job: filing EINs for non-residents. Northwest's pricing reflects a wider service set that includes legal entity formation and an annual registered agent.
| What you pay for | ein.so | Northwest Registered Agent |
|---|---|---|
| EIN filing fee | $49 Standard / $97 Express | Add-on to a package (confirm on their site) |
| LLC formation fee | Not offered | Charged separately |
| Registered agent (annual) | Not offered | Charged annually |
| IRS fee for the EIN | $0 | $0 |
ein.so does not add LLC formation or registered agent charges. If you only need the EIN, that keeps your total at $49. Compare the full breakdown on the EIN cost page and confirm Northwest's current package pricing on their own site, since competitor prices change.
Speed
How Fast Does ein.so Deliver an EIN Compared to Northwest?
ein.so delivers EINs in 4-7 business days on Standard and 2-3 business days on Express. Northwest's EIN turnaround depends on the package and is handled alongside formation, so timing varies. Both depend on IRS fax processing for non-resident applicants.
For non-residents, the EIN is issued only after the IRS processes a faxed Form SS-4. ein.so submits the fax to 855-215-1627 and monitors the application. Express prioritizes preparation and submission to compress the timeline to 2-3 business days. Actual IRS handling time is outside any provider's control.
Submit your details
ein.so prepares Form SS-4
IRS fax submission
EIN delivered by email
See the full EIN processing time page for what affects IRS turnaround.
Non-Resident Focus
Which Service Is Better for Non-US Residents, ein.so or Northwest?
ein.so is built specifically for non-US residents who have no SSN and no ITIN. It enters your passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b and files by fax, the only path open to applicants the IRS online tool blocks. Northwest serves a broad US audience across many services.
The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN. Non-residents without one cannot use it. The fax method using a passport number is the route that works, and ein.so does this for every client. Address formatting is the most common rejection cause for international applicants, and ein.so reformats foreign addresses to an IRS-accepted style.
No SSN or ITIN required
Fax method handled for you
Built for international founders
WhatsApp and multilingual support
If you already hold a US LLC and need only the EIN, ein.so is the focused choice. Read the SS-4 form guide to see exactly which fields a non-resident completes.
What's Included
What Does Each Service Include?
Both services deliver the same IRS-issued EIN, but the surrounding scope differs. ein.so includes Form SS-4 preparation, IRS fax submission, follow-up, and email delivery for $49. Northwest includes EIN filing inside broader formation and registered agent packages, with services ein.so does not offer.
| Included | ein.so | Northwest Registered Agent |
|---|---|---|
| Form SS-4 preparation | Yes | Yes |
| IRS submission | Yes (fax to 855-215-1627) | Service-handled |
| EIN delivery | Email/account portal | |
| Works without SSN/ITIN | Yes | Varies by package |
| Application follow-up | Yes | Varies |
| Support | WhatsApp, multilingual | Phone/email |
| LLC formation | No | Yes |
| Registered agent | No | Yes |
| Standalone EIN price | $49 / $97 Express | Confirm on their site |
ein.so charges no upsells: no LLC formation, no registered agent renewal, and no annual report bundles. Northwest's value is the all-in-one formation and compliance stack for owners who want one vendor for entity, agent, and EIN. Pick the model that matches what you actually need.
EIN Uses
What Can You Do With Your EIN After ein.so Files It?
Your EIN lets you open a US business bank account, connect US payment processors, and file US business taxes for your LLC. The EIN is the federal tax ID that links your foreign-owned company to the US financial system. It is identical whether ein.so or Northwest files it.
Open a US bank account
Accept US payments
File Form 5472 each year
Report beneficial ownership
ein.so files your EIN and gives guidance, not tax advice. Confirm Form 5472, Form 1120, and BOI obligations with a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters.
Choosing
When Should You Choose ein.so Over Northwest?
Choose ein.so when you need only an EIN and already have, or do not yet need, a US LLC formed elsewhere. ein.so files Form SS-4 for $49 with no SSN required. Choose Northwest when you want LLC formation, registered agent service, and the EIN bundled with one provider.
Pick based on what you actually need
- Need only the EIN, no SSN, no LLC formation: ein.so at $49 is the focused choice.
- Need an EIN faster: ein.so Express delivers in 2-3 business days for $97.
- Need LLC formation plus registered agent plus EIN in one package: Northwest covers the full stack.
- Already have a US LLC from any provider: ein.so adds the EIN without buying formation again.
Facts that apply to both services
- The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. Service fees cover form preparation and submission.
- The 9-digit EIN is identical regardless of provider.
- Non-residents file Form SS-4 by fax; the IRS online tool requires an SSN.
- A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 plus a pro-forma Form 1120 yearly ($25,000 penalty for non-filing). Confirm with a CPA.
ein.so does not provide tax advice and does not form LLCs. It files your EIN, fast and cheap, for non-US residents. See EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents for the full process.
Next Steps
After Comparing ein.so and Northwest
- Apply for your EIN — $49 Standard (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days)
- Read how to get an EIN — the full Form SS-4 process for non-residents
- Review the SS-4 form guide — see which fields a non-resident completes
- Open a US bank account — Mercury, Relay, and Wise accept non-resident LLC owners
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Complete your BOI filing — required for most LLCs
More resources: EIN cost | EIN processing time | EIN without SSN | EIN for non-residents
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper for an EIN, ein.so or Northwest Registered Agent?
ein.so is the lower-cost option at $49 for a standalone EIN filing. Northwest Registered Agent positions its EIN service as an add-on to LLC formation or registered agent plans, so the EIN is rarely sold alone at $49. ein.so files Form SS-4 by fax and delivers your EIN by email. Confirm current Northwest pricing on their site.
Is the EIN from ein.so different from the EIN from Northwest?
No. The EIN is always issued by the IRS, not by any service. The 9-digit number is identical regardless of which company files your Form SS-4. You pay a service for accurate form preparation and IRS submission, never for the EIN itself. The IRS charges $0 for an EIN.
Does ein.so or Northwest focus on non-US residents?
ein.so focuses exclusively on EINs for non-US residents without an SSN or ITIN. It enters your passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b and faxes the form to the IRS at 855-215-1627. Northwest Registered Agent serves a broad US market and offers formation, registered agent, and compliance services beyond EIN filing.
How fast does ein.so process an EIN?
ein.so Standard processing takes 4-7 business days for $49. Express takes 2-3 business days for $97. Both include Form SS-4 preparation, IRS fax submission, and EIN delivery by email. The DIY fax method takes 4-7 business days when the form is error-free. Processing speed depends on IRS fax handling times.
Can I get an EIN for free without either service?
Yes. The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. US residents with an SSN apply free through the IRS online tool at irs.gov in minutes. Non-residents without an SSN cannot use the online tool, so they file Form SS-4 by fax. ein.so charges $49 to prepare and submit that fax filing for you.
Does ein.so file my LLC like Northwest does?
No. ein.so files Form SS-4 to get your EIN only. It does not form LLCs or act as a registered agent. Northwest Registered Agent offers LLC formation and registered agent service. If you already have a US LLC and need only the EIN, ein.so is the focused, lower-cost choice at $49.
Do I need an SSN or ITIN to use ein.so?
No. ein.so files EINs for applicants with no SSN and no ITIN. Your passport number goes on Form SS-4 Line 7b as identification. The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN, which is why non-residents use the fax method. ein.so handles the fax submission to the IRS for you.
Does ein.so help with Form 5472 or BOI filing?
ein.so files your EIN and provides guidance, not tax advice. A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 plus a pro-forma Form 1120 each year, with a $25,000 penalty for non-filing. Confirm your tax obligations with a US CPA. See the Form 5472 guide and BOI filing pages for details.
Does ein.so offer ITIN service too?
Yes. ein.so files ITIN applications for $197 Standard and $297 Express, separate from its EIN service. An EIN is a business tax ID for your LLC; an ITIN is a personal tax ID for an individual. Many non-residents need only the EIN at $49 to run a US LLC.
Need an EIN? We Handle Everything.
Non-US resident? We file Form SS-4 with the IRS and deliver your EIN by email. Just $49.
Get My EIN for $49