Cost Guide
Free EIN Number
The IRS issues EINs at zero cost. Learn how to get your EIN for free directly from the IRS, and when a paid service makes sense for non-residents.
The IRS processes over 5 million EIN applications each year. Every one is free. The IRS charges no filing fee, no processing fee, and no government fee for an Employer Identification Number. This has held since the EIN system started in 1974 and remains true in 2026.
Dozens of websites still charge $50 to $300 for EIN applications. Some are legitimate and handle paperwork for people who cannot use the free online tool. Others mislead applicants by implying a government fee exists. This guide explains every free method, who qualifies for each, and the exact point at which paying a service like ein.so saves you time.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| IRS EIN fee | $0 (all methods) |
| Free methods | Online, fax, phone, mail |
| IRS fax number | 855-215-1627 |
| IRS phone (non-resident) | 267-941-1099 |
| Online tool requirement | Valid SSN |
| Non-resident ID on SS-4 | Passport number (Line 7b) |
| ein.so price | $49 Standard / $97 Express |
Free Methods
What Are the 4 Free Ways to Get an EIN?
The IRS offers 4 free methods to get an EIN: online, fax, phone, and mail. All cost $0. Only the online method gives instant results, and it requires a valid SSN. Non-residents use fax or phone.
Online — IRS EIN Assistant (Instant)
Fax — Form SS-4 (4-7 Business Days)
Phone — IRS Business Line (Same Day)
Mail — Form SS-4 (4-6 Weeks)
Which Free Method Fits Your Situation?
| Situation | Best Free Method | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| US resident with SSN | Online (EIN Assistant) | Instant |
| US resident without SSN | Fax (Form SS-4) | 4-7 business days |
| Non-resident, comfortable with calls | Phone (267-941-1099) | Same day |
| Non-resident, prefers no calls | Fax (Form SS-4) | 4-7 business days |
| Anyone with no deadline | Mail (Form SS-4) | 4-6 weeks |
The fax method is the workhorse for non-residents. It needs no SSN and no US presence. You enter a passport number on Line 7b instead. See how to get an EIN for the full process and EIN processing time for current timelines.
Online Tool
Why Can't Non-Residents Use the Free Online EIN Tool?
The free IRS online EIN Assistant requires a valid SSN to authenticate the responsible party. Non-US residents without an SSN cannot complete the online form. The tool rejects the application before it finishes. This single requirement forces most non-residents to the fax or phone method.
The online tool is the fastest free option for anyone who qualifies. It validates each entry in real time and issues the EIN on screen in 10-15 minutes. The catch is the identity field. The system demands an SSN or, in some flows, an ITIN. A foreign founder who has never held a US tax ID has neither.
The online tool is not optional for non-residents — it is blocked.
- The IRS online EIN Assistant requires a valid SSN to proceed.
- Non-residents without an SSN cannot finish the online application.
- The only free alternatives are fax (855-215-1627) and phone (267-941-1099).
- Both alternatives accept a passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b.
Non-residents who want an EIN without an SSN should read EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents. These pages cover the passport-based fax path step by step.
Why Pay?
When Does Paying for an EIN Make Sense?
Paying for an EIN service makes sense in one scenario: you cannot or do not want to navigate the free methods yourself. The EIN is free, but the labor of a correct, accepted Form SS-4 is not. A rejected form adds weeks of delay.
The free online tool is closed to anyone without an SSN. That locks out most non-residents and pushes them to fax, phone, or mail. Those methods stay free, but they demand a correctly completed Form SS-4, access to international fax or calling, and patience with IRS hold times that run 30-60 minutes.
Who Cannot Use the Free Online Tool
- Non-US residents without an SSN or ITIN
- Foreign nationals forming US LLCs in Wyoming, Delaware, or New Mexico
- International Amazon sellers, Shopify merchants, and freelancers
- Anyone who has never held a US tax identification number
EIN Service Cost Comparison
| Provider | Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| IRS (direct) | $0 | Self-service, all 4 methods |
| ein.so | $49 Standard / $97 Express | SS-4 prep, fax filing, email delivery |
| Other filing services | Higher | Filing plus add-ons and upsells |
ein.so charges $49 for Standard processing (4-7 business days) and $97 for Express (2-3 business days). The fee covers preparing your Form SS-4, faxing it to the IRS at 855-215-1627, and delivering your EIN by email. The EIN itself stays free from the IRS. For a full breakdown, see EIN cost.
Scam Warning
How Do You Avoid EIN Scams?
Avoid EIN scams by remembering one fact: the IRS charges $0 for an EIN. Any site that claims a government filing fee exists is lying. The only legitimate charge is a service fee for paperwork, stated clearly upfront with no hidden costs.
Fake Government Fee
Inflated EIN-Only Prices
Fake IRS Authorization
Lookalike Domains
A legitimate EIN service is transparent about three things: the EIN is free from the IRS, the fee covers form preparation and filing, and the exact price appears upfront. ein.so meets all three. We charge $49 Standard and $97 Express, with no hidden fees and no checkout upsells. Apply now.
Non-Residents
How Do Non-Residents Get a Free EIN?
Non-residents get a free EIN by faxing Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627 or by calling the IRS at 267-941-1099. Both cost $0. You enter a passport number on Line 7b instead of an SSN. The IRS returns the EIN in 4-7 business days by fax.
Method 1: Fax Form SS-4 (Free)
Download Form SS-4 from irs.gov. Complete every field. Fax it to 855-215-1627. Wait 4-7 business days. The IRS returns your EIN by fax. Total cost: $0, plus a small fax service charge of roughly $1-5.
Method 2: Call the IRS (Free)
Call 267-941-1099 from your country. Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Eastern Time. Have your Form SS-4 information ready. The IRS can issue your EIN during the call. Total cost: $0, plus international calling charges.
Why Many Non-Residents Choose a Service
| Free DIY Challenge | Impact |
|---|---|
| SS-4 formatting rules | Malformed forms get silently rejected |
| Unreliable international fax | Lost or incomplete transmissions |
| IRS phone hold times | 30-60 minutes per call |
| Address mapping | International addresses fail the SS-4 layout |
| Errors on the form | Delays of weeks before reapplying |
ein.so removes these obstacles. We complete your Form SS-4 correctly, fax it to the IRS, and deliver your EIN by email. $49 Standard. $97 Express. Get started or read EIN for non-residents and EIN without SSN.
After Your EIN
What Do You Do After Getting a Free EIN?
After getting a free EIN, you open a US bank account, set up payments, and meet your annual filing duties. A foreign-owned single-member US LLC must file Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for not filing is $25,000.
Open a US Bank Account
File Your BOI Report
File Form 5472 Annually
ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. Work with a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters for your Form 5472, Form 1120, and treaty questions. The EIN is the starting point for US tax compliance. If you also need a personal US tax ID, see our ITIN service ($197 Standard / $297 Express).
Summary
Is the Free EIN the Same as a Paid EIN?
Yes. The free EIN and the paid EIN are the same 9-digit number in the same XX-XXXXXXX format. The IRS issues an identical EIN regardless of who prepares the Form SS-4. The only difference is whether you do the paperwork or pay someone to do it.
| Method | Cost | Speed | SSN Required? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | $0 | Instant | Yes | US residents with an SSN |
| Fax | $0 | 4-7 days | No | DIY non-residents |
| Phone | $0 | Same day | No | Comfortable callers |
| $0 | 4-6 weeks | No | No urgency | |
| ein.so | $49-97 | 2-7 days | No | Non-residents who want it handled |
The EIN is always free from the IRS. For US residents with an SSN, use the free online tool — there is no reason to pay. For non-residents, the free fax and phone methods work but require a correct Form SS-4 and patience. ein.so exists to make the non-resident path simple and fast.
Next Steps
Get Your EIN — Free or Handled For You
- Apply for your EIN — ein.so prepares and faxes Form SS-4 for $49 Standard or $97 Express
- Read the SS-4 form guide — every field explained for the free DIY path
- Check processing time — fax takes 4-7 business days, online is instant
- Open a US bank account — Mercury and Relay accept non-resident owners
- File Form 5472 — annual filing for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty)
More guides: How to get an EIN | EIN without SSN | EIN for non-residents | EIN cost | BOI filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is getting an EIN really free?
Yes. The IRS charges $0 for EIN applications through every method: online, fax, phone, or mail. No government fee, filing fee, or processing fee exists. The 9-digit EIN is free. Third-party services like ein.so charge for form preparation and filing labor, not for the EIN number itself.
Why do some websites charge for EINs?
Third-party services charge for the labor of completing and filing the application. Non-US residents cannot use the free IRS online tool because it requires an SSN. ein.so ($49 Standard, $97 Express) prepares Form SS-4 and faxes it to the IRS at 855-215-1627. The fee covers work, not the EIN.
Can non-residents get a free EIN?
Yes. Non-residents get a free EIN by faxing Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627 or by calling the IRS at 267-941-1099 (Monday-Friday, 7am-7pm ET). Both methods cost $0. Non-residents enter a passport number on Line 7b, not an SSN. ein.so charges $49 to prepare and file the form for you.
How fast is the free IRS online EIN application?
The IRS EIN Assistant issues your EIN immediately on completion. The process takes 10-15 minutes. It runs Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time. You must have a valid SSN to use this method, which blocks most non-US residents from the instant free option.
Is there a difference between a free EIN and a paid EIN?
No. The EIN is identical whether you get it free from the IRS or through a paid service. The 9-digit number, the XX-XXXXXXX format, and its validity match exactly. A paid service only handles the paperwork. The IRS issues the same EIN regardless of who prepares the Form SS-4.
Does the IRS charge a fee to cancel or close an EIN?
No. The IRS charges $0 to close a business account tied to an EIN. The IRS does not delete or reuse EINs. You mail a written request to the IRS to close the account. The EIN stays permanently assigned to your entity even after the account is closed.
Can a foreign-owned LLC get a free EIN by fax?
Yes. A foreign-owned single-member US LLC gets a free EIN by faxing Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627 with a passport number on Line 7b. The IRS returns the EIN in 4-7 business days. Note: this LLC must also file Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year ($25,000 penalty).
What documents do non-residents need for a free EIN?
Non-residents need a valid passport, the US LLC name and state, and a mailing address for Form SS-4. No SSN, ITIN, or US presence is required. The passport number goes on Line 7b. See the [SS-4 form guide](/ss4-form-guide/) for each field, or let ein.so format the application for $49.
Will a free EIN open a US bank account?
Yes. A free EIN from the IRS opens a US business bank account the same as a paid one. Mercury and Relay accept non-resident LLC owners with an EIN letter, formation documents, and a passport. The bank does not care how you obtained the EIN. See [EIN for a bank account](/ein-for-bank-account/).
Need an EIN? We Handle Everything.
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