Comparison Guide
EIN vs GST Number Compared
Understand the difference between a US EIN and a India, Australia, Canada, and others GST Number. Both are tax identification numbers, but they serve different countries and purposes.
India, Australia, Canada, and others entrepreneurs expanding into the US market frequently encounter both EINs and GST Numbers. Understanding the difference between these two identification numbers is essential for operating legally in both jurisdictions. This guide provides a complete comparison, explains when you need each number, and shows how India, Australia, Canada, and others business owners can obtain a US EIN.
The key distinction is jurisdiction. An EIN is issued by the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for US federal tax purposes. A GST Number is issued by national tax authorities for India, Australia, Canada, and others tax purposes. Neither number is valid in the other's jurisdiction.
Definition
What Is an EIN?
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a 9-digit tax identification number issued by the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to businesses operating in the United States. The format is XX-XXXXXXX (for example, 12-3456789). The IRS issues approximately 5 million EINs per year.
Every US business entity needs an EIN for federal tax filing, opening bank accounts, hiring employees, and accepting payments. The EIN is free to obtain from the IRS and is permanently assigned to the entity once issued.
For a complete explanation, see our guide on what is an EIN.
Key EIN Facts
GST Number
What Is a GST Number?
A GST Number (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number) is a varies (9-15 characters)-digit identification number issued by national tax authorities in India, Australia, Canada, and others. It uses the format Varies by country (India: 15 digits, Australia: 11 digits, Canada: 9 digits + RT). The GST Number serves as the primary consumption/value-added tax registration in India, Australia, Canada, and others.
GST (Goods and Services Tax) is a consumption tax used in India, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and other countries. Each country's GST system has a unique registration number format. In India, the GSTIN is 15 digits derived from the state code and PAN. In Australia, the GST is linked to the ABN (11 digits). In Canada, the GST/HST number is the Business Number (9 digits) plus an RT suffix. The US does not have a federal consumption tax. Instead, individual US states impose their own sales taxes, which are separate from the EIN system.
Key GST Number Facts
- Issued by: national tax authorities
- Format: Varies by country (India: 15 digits, Australia: 11 digits, Canada: 9 digits + RT)
- Country: India, Australia, Canada, and others
- Purpose: consumption/value-added tax registration
Comparison
EIN vs GST Number: Side-by-Side
| Factor | EIN (United States) | GST Number (India, Australia, Canada, and others) | |--------|--------------------|-----------------------| | Full Name | Employer Identification Number | Goods and Services Tax Identification Number | | Issuing Authority | IRS (Internal Revenue Service) | national tax authorities | | Format | XX-XXXXXXX (9 digits) | Varies by country (India: 15 digits, Australia: 11 digits, Canada: 9 digits + RT) | | Purpose | US federal tax identification | consumption/value-added tax registration | | Cost | Free | Varies | | Validity | United States only | India, Australia, Canada, and others only | | Required for | US tax filing, banking, payroll | India, Australia, Canada, and others tax compliance | | Application | Form SS-4 to IRS | India, Australia, Canada, and others tax authority |
The Core Difference
An EIN identifies your business to the US government. A GST Number identifies your business to the India, Australia, Canada, and others government. If you operate in both countries, you need both numbers. One does not replace the other.
For India, Australia, Canada, and others Entrepreneurs
How India, Australia, Canada, and others Entrepreneurs Get a US EIN
India, Australia, Canada, and others entrepreneurs who form a US LLC or corporation need a US EIN. The IRS online application requires an SSN, which India, Australia, Canada, and others residents do not have. The solution is to submit Form SS-4 by fax.
Form Your US Entity
Complete Form SS-4
Submit by Fax
Receive Your EIN
Your existing GST Number has no bearing on your US EIN application. The IRS does not ask for or verify foreign tax IDs. Your passport is sufficient identification.
For related comparisons, see EIN vs VAT or EIN vs ABN.
For more details, see our guide on EIN for non-US residents or how to get an EIN without an SSN.
Both Numbers
Do You Need Both Numbers?
You need an EIN if:
- You formed a US LLC or corporation
- You sell on US platforms (Amazon.com, Shopify US store)
- You need a US business bank account
- You hire US-based employees or contractors
- You file US tax returns
You need a GST Number if:
- You operate a business in India, Australia, Canada, and others
- You have tax obligations in India, Australia, Canada, and others
- You employ workers in India, Australia, Canada, and others
- You sell goods or services in India, Australia, Canada, and others
You need both if:
- You operate businesses in both the US and India, Australia, Canada, and others
- You are a India, Australia, Canada, and others resident with a US LLC
- You earn income in both jurisdictions
Most India, Australia, Canada, and others entrepreneurs expanding to the US already have a GST Number. They add an EIN when they form their US business entity. The two numbers coexist without conflict.
Summary
Summary: EIN vs GST Number
| Question | Answer | |----------|--------| | Are they the same? | No. Different countries, different authorities | | Can one replace the other? | No. Each is valid only in its own country | | Do I need both? | Only if you operate in both countries | | Which do I get first? | Whichever country you start your business in | | Cost of EIN? | Free (IRS) or $49 (ein.so for non-residents) |
For more comparisons, see EIN vs ITIN, EIN vs SSN, or EIN vs Tax ID.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is an EIN the same as a GST Number?
No. An EIN is a US federal tax ID from the IRS. A GST Number is a consumption/value-added tax registration from national tax authorities in India, Australia, Canada, and others. They are issued by different authorities in different countries for different purposes.
Do I need both an EIN and a GST Number?
Only if you operate businesses in both the United States and India, Australia, Canada, and others. Your EIN identifies your US business for IRS tax purposes. Your GST Number identifies your India, Australia, Canada, and others business for local tax purposes. Each number is valid only in its own jurisdiction.
Can I use my GST Number instead of an EIN in the US?
No. The IRS does not accept foreign tax identification numbers for US tax reporting. If you operate a US business entity (LLC, corporation), you must obtain a separate EIN from the IRS regardless of whether you have a GST Number in India, Australia, Canada, and others.
How do India, Australia, Canada, and others entrepreneurs get a US EIN?
India, Australia, Canada, and others entrepreneurs can get a US EIN by submitting Form SS-4 to the IRS by fax. No SSN is required. Your India, Australia, Canada, and others passport number serves as your identification. ein.so handles the entire process for $49 (Standard) or $97 (Express).
What format is a GST Number?
A GST Number uses a Varies by country (India: 15 digits, Australia: 11 digits, Canada: 9 digits + RT) format. An EIN uses the XX-XXXXXXX format (9 digits with a hyphen after the second digit). The formats are different and not interchangeable.
Is an EIN valid in India, Australia, Canada, and others?
No. An EIN is valid only for US federal tax purposes. It has no legal standing in India, Australia, Canada, and others. Similarly, a GST Number has no legal standing in the United States. Each country issues its own tax identification numbers.
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