Comparison Guide
EIN vs GST Number Compared
Understand the difference between a US EIN and a GST number used in India, Australia, Canada, and other countries. Both are tax identification numbers, but they serve different countries and purposes.
An EIN is a 9-digit US federal tax ID issued by the IRS in the XX-XXXXXXX format. A GST number is a consumption-tax registration issued by national tax authorities in India, Australia, Canada, and other countries. The two serve different countries and different purposes. US business entities need an EIN. Businesses in GST countries need a GST number. Founders operating in both jurisdictions hold both. The IRS charges $0 for an EIN; ein.so files Form SS-4 for non-residents for $49.
Entrepreneurs expanding across borders meet both EINs and GST numbers. Both are tax identification numbers. Both are issued by governments. There the similarity ends. An EIN identifies a business to the US Internal Revenue Service. A GST number registers a business for Goods and Services Tax in its home country. This guide compares the two side by side, explains who needs each, and shows how founders in GST countries obtain a US EIN.
The core distinction is jurisdiction. The IRS issues an EIN for US federal tax purposes. National tax authorities issue GST numbers for domestic consumption tax. Neither number works in the other's country. You cannot file US taxes with a GST number, and you cannot register for GST with an EIN.
| Factor | EIN (United States) | GST Number (India, Australia, Canada, others) |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Employer Identification Number | Goods and Services Tax Identification Number |
| Issuer | IRS (Internal Revenue Service) | National tax authority of each country |
| Format | XX-XXXXXXX (9 digits) | Varies: India 15, Australia 11, Canada 9 + RT |
| Tax type | Business / entity identifier | Consumption / value-added tax |
| Cost | $0 from IRS / $49 via ein.so | Set by each country's tax authority |
| Validity | United States only | Issuing country only |
| Apply with | Form SS-4 to the IRS | Each country's GST registration portal |
Definition
What Is an EIN?
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a 9-digit federal tax ID issued by the US Internal Revenue Service to businesses operating in the United States. The format is XX-XXXXXXX, for example 12-3456789. The IRS assigns each EIN permanently to one entity.
Every US business entity uses its EIN for federal tax filing, opening a bank account, hiring employees, and accepting payments. The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. ein.so files Form SS-4 for non-residents for $49 (Standard) or $97 (Express). For the full explanation, read what is an EIN.
Key EIN Facts
EIN at a Glance
Non-residents cannot use the IRS online EIN tool, because that tool requires an SSN. Applicants without an SSN file by fax instead. They enter a passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b. No SSN and no ITIN are required. See EIN without SSN for the full method.
GST Number
What Is a GST Number?
A GST number is a consumption-tax registration number issued by a national tax authority in countries that operate a Goods and Services Tax. The number identifies a business for GST collection and reporting. The format and length vary by country.
GST is a value-added consumption tax used in India, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and other countries. Each system has its own registration number. In India, the GSTIN is 15 characters derived from the state code and PAN. In Australia, GST attaches to the 11-digit ABN. In Canada, the GST/HST number is a 9-digit Business Number plus an RT suffix. The United States has no federal GST. US states impose their own sales taxes, which sit entirely outside the EIN system.
GST Number Formats by Country
| Country | Number name | Format | Tax authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | GSTIN | 15 characters (state code + PAN) | GST authority of India |
| Australia | GST / ABN | 11 digits | Australian tax authority |
| Canada | GST/HST number | 9 digits + RT suffix | Canada tax authority |
| Singapore | GST registration | Prefixed alphanumeric | Singapore tax authority |
| New Zealand | GST number | Tied to IRD number | New Zealand tax authority |
A GST number reports tax a business collects on sales. An EIN does not. The EIN identifies the entity itself, not a consumption-tax obligation. This is why one number cannot substitute for the other.
Comparison
EIN vs GST Number: How Do They Compare?
An EIN identifies a business to the US federal government, while a GST number registers a business for consumption tax in its home country. They differ in issuer, format, jurisdiction, and purpose. One never replaces the other.
| Question | EIN | GST Number |
|---|---|---|
| What does it identify? | A US business entity | A GST-registered business |
| What is it for? | Federal tax filing, banking, payroll | Collecting and reporting consumption tax |
| Who issues it? | US IRS | National tax authority |
| Where is it valid? | United States only | Issuing country only |
| What does it cost? | $0 (IRS) / $49 (ein.so) | Set per country |
| How do you apply? | Form SS-4 to the IRS | Country GST portal |
| Does the US use this system? | Yes | No (US has no GST/VAT) |
The Core Difference
An EIN tells the IRS that your US company exists and files taxes. A GST number tells your home tax authority that your business collects consumption tax. The first is an entity identifier. The second is a tax-collection registration. A founder with a US LLC and a home-country GST registration holds both, and each works only inside its own border.
For neighboring comparisons, see EIN vs VAT, EIN vs ABN, and EIN vs ITIN.
For GST-Country Founders
How Do Founders From GST Countries Get a US EIN?
Founders from India, Australia, Canada, and other GST countries get a US EIN by submitting IRS Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so the fax method is the path. Enter a passport number on Line 7b. The IRS issues most correct filings in 4-7 business days.
Form Your US Entity
Complete Form SS-4
Submit by Fax
Receive Your EIN
Your existing GST number has no bearing on the EIN application. The IRS does not request or verify foreign tax IDs. Your passport is sufficient identification on Line 7b. For the full walkthrough, see how to get an EIN and the Form SS-4 guide. For the no-SSN method, see EIN for non-residents.
When You Need Each
Do You Need Both Numbers?
You need an EIN when you operate a US entity and a GST number when you operate in a GST country. You need both when you run businesses in both jurisdictions. The two numbers coexist and never conflict.
You Need a US EIN If
You Need a GST Number If
You Need Both If
The Order Does Not Matter
Most founders expanding to the US already hold a GST number at home. They add a US EIN when they form their US entity. The EIN unlocks US banking, US payment processors, and US tax filing, none of which the GST number can do.
Cost and Timeline
What Do an EIN and a GST Number Cost?
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN, and ein.so charges $49 (Standard) or $97 (Express) to file Form SS-4 for non-residents. GST registration costs are set by each country's tax authority and vary widely. Confirm GST fees with a local accountant.
| Item | EIN via ein.so | EIN direct from IRS |
|---|---|---|
| Government fee | $0 | $0 |
| Service fee | $49 (Standard) / $97 (Express) | $0 |
| Processing time | 4-7 days / 2-3 days | 4-7 days if error-free |
| Filing method | ein.so faxes Form SS-4 | You fax Form SS-4 yourself |
| SSN required | No | No (fax method) |
| Delivery | EIN emailed to you | IRS faxes CP 575 back |
The DIY fax route costs $0 but exposes you to silent IRS rejections from address-formatting errors. International addresses do not always map cleanly to the SS-4 fields. ein.so reformats the address and checks every line before filing. See EIN cost and EIN processing time for the full breakdown.
ein.so also files ITINs for $197 (Standard) or $297 (Express) when an individual taxpayer ID is needed. An ITIN is for a person; an EIN is for a business. They are different numbers for different purposes.
US Tax Compliance
What US Tax Filings Follow a US EIN?
A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year after receiving its EIN. The penalty for not filing Form 5472 is $25,000. The EIN is the start of US compliance, not the end.
Annual Filing for Foreign-Owned US LLCs
- File Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year.
- The penalty for failure to file Form 5472 is $25,000.
- Form 5472 is an information return, not always a tax bill.
- Most US LLCs also file a BOI report with FinCEN.
- Confirm your full filing duties with a US CPA familiar with non-resident cases.
The US has no GST or VAT, so there is no US GST return to file. State sales tax is the closest US equivalent, and it registers separately from your EIN, state by state. Your home-country GST obligations continue under your home rules regardless of your US EIN. ein.so files the EIN and does not provide tax advice. Work with a local accountant and a US CPA. See EIN for non-residents and EIN without SSN.
Next Steps
Get Your US EIN Today
A US EIN identifies your business to the IRS, unlocks US banking and payments, and supports your annual US filings. A GST number stays with your home-country business. Holding both is normal for cross-border founders.
- Apply for your EIN — ein.so files Form SS-4 for $49 (Standard) or $97 (Express)
- Open a US bank account — non-resident LLC owners qualify with an EIN and passport
- File your BOI report — required for most US LLCs, free at fincen.gov/boi
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Learn the process — see how to get an EIN and the SS-4 form guide
More comparisons: EIN vs ITIN | EIN vs SSN | EIN vs VAT | EIN vs ABN | EIN vs Tax ID. Country guides: EIN for India and EIN for non-residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an EIN the same as a GST number?
No. An EIN is a 9-digit US federal tax ID issued by the IRS. A GST number is a consumption-tax registration issued by national tax authorities in India, Australia, Canada, and other countries. They come from different governments and serve different purposes. An EIN identifies a business; a GST number tracks consumption tax collection.
Do I need both an EIN and a GST number?
You need both only if you operate businesses in both the United States and a GST country. Your EIN identifies your US entity for IRS purposes. Your GST number registers your home-country business for consumption tax. A French, Indian, or Australian founder with a US LLC commonly holds both numbers at once.
Can I use my GST number instead of an EIN in the US?
No. The IRS does not accept foreign tax IDs for US tax reporting. If you form a US LLC or corporation, you must obtain a separate EIN from the IRS, regardless of any GST number you hold abroad. A GST number has no legal standing inside the US tax system.
How do non-residents from GST countries get a US EIN?
Non-residents submit IRS Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so the fax method is the path for applicants without one. Enter your passport number on Line 7b. No SSN or ITIN is needed. ein.so files it for $49 (Standard) or $97 (Express).
What format is a GST number?
The GST number format varies by country. India uses a 15-character GSTIN built from the state code and PAN. Australia ties GST to an 11-digit ABN. Canada uses a 9-digit Business Number plus an RT suffix. An EIN uses the XX-XXXXXXX format: 9 digits with a hyphen after the second digit.
Is an EIN valid in India, Australia, or Canada?
No. An EIN is valid only for US federal tax purposes. It has no standing in India, Australia, Canada, or any other country. A GST number likewise has no standing in the United States. Each jurisdiction issues and recognizes only its own tax identification numbers within its own borders.
Does the US have a GST or VAT system?
No. The US has no federal GST or VAT. Instead, individual US states impose sales tax at varying rates, collected at the point of sale. State sales tax registration is separate from the EIN. Your EIN identifies your business federally; state sales tax permits are handled state by state.
How much does a US EIN cost for a non-resident?
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. ein.so charges $49 for Standard service (4-7 business days) and $97 for Express (2-3 business days), covering Form SS-4 preparation, the IRS fax filing, and delivery of your EIN by email. GST registration costs depend on each country's tax authority.
Which number should I get first, the EIN or the GST number?
Get the number for the country where you start your business. If you form a US LLC first, apply for an EIN through Form SS-4. If you register a business in a GST country first, obtain the GST number there. The two numbers coexist and never replace each other.
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