IRS Guide
IRS EIN Online Application Guide
The IRS EIN Assistant at irs.gov issues EINs instantly but requires an SSN or ITIN. Non-residents are blocked and must fax Form SS-4. ein.so files it for $49 Standard or $97 Express.
The IRS EIN Assistant at irs.gov issues EINs instantly, but it requires a valid SSN or ITIN. Applicants without an SSN or ITIN are blocked at the identification screen. The tool runs Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time. A session takes 10-15 minutes. Non-residents must instead fax Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627, entering a passport number on Line 7b. ein.so prepares and faxes that SS-4 for $49 Standard (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days).
The IRS operates a free online EIN application called the EIN Assistant. It is the fastest channel for anyone who qualifies, because it issues the nine-digit Employer Identification Number on screen the moment you finish. The catch sits at the identification step: the IRS demands a Social Security Number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number from the responsible party. Most non-US founders hold neither. This guide explains exactly how the online tool works, who it accepts, why it rejects non-residents, and the fax route that replaces it for international applicants.
| Detail | IRS Online EIN Assistant |
|---|---|
| URL | irs.gov (EIN Assistant) |
| Hours | Mon-Fri, 7:00 AM-10:00 PM ET |
| Speed | Instant (10-15 min session) |
| IRS cost | $0 |
| Requires | Valid SSN or ITIN |
| Blocked for | Non-residents without SSN/ITIN |
| Confirmation | CP 575 letter, downloaded immediately |
| Daily limit | 1 EIN per responsible party |
Eligibility
Who Can Use the IRS EIN Online Application?
You can use the IRS EIN online application if you hold a valid SSN or ITIN and your business has a US address or principal place of business. The tool blocks every responsible party who lacks an SSN or ITIN, which excludes most non-US residents.
The IRS built the EIN Assistant for US-based filers. The responsible party screen validates the SSN or ITIN against IRS records before the session continues. No workaround exists inside the tool. If you stop at this screen, the online path has ended for you.
You can use the online tool if:
- You hold a valid SSN or ITIN as the responsible party.
- Your business has a US legal address or principal place of business.
- You can complete the session in one sitting inside US business hours.
- You have not already received an EIN as this responsible party today.
You cannot use the online tool if:
- You have no SSN and no ITIN, which describes most non-US residents.
- Your only ID is a foreign passport number.
- You are filing from outside US business hours and cannot reach the tool.
Non-residents in this situation fax Form SS-4 instead. See EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents for the full path.
Step-by-Step
How Does the IRS Online EIN Application Work?
The IRS online EIN application works in five screens completed in one sitting, then issues your EIN instantly. You select the entity type, enter the responsible party SSN or ITIN, add business details, review, and submit. The IRS returns the CP 575 confirmation for immediate download.
Open the EIN Assistant
Select Your Entity Type
Enter Responsible Party Details
Add Business Information
Review, Submit, and Download CP 575
The full session runs 10-15 minutes. For a deeper walkthrough of every field, see how to get an EIN and the SS-4 form guide.
Online vs Fax
Online Tool vs Fax: Which EIN Method Should You Use?
You should use the online tool if you hold an SSN or ITIN, because it issues your EIN instantly for free. You should use the fax method if you are a non-resident without an SSN, because it accepts a passport number on Line 7b and takes 4-7 business days.
Both channels cost $0 at the IRS. The difference is eligibility and speed. The online tool is faster but gated behind US identification. The fax method is slower but open to anyone with a passport.
| Factor | IRS Online Tool | Fax (Form SS-4) |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Instant | 4-7 business days |
| IRS cost | $0 | $0 |
| Requires SSN/ITIN | Yes | No |
| Accepts passport (Line 7b) | No | Yes |
| Hours | Mon-Fri, 7am-10pm ET | 24/7 fax submission |
| Open to non-residents | No | Yes |
| Fax number | N/A | 855-215-1627 |
| Confirmation | CP 575, instant | CP 575, by return fax/mail |
Non-residents have no instant option. The fastest realistic path is a clean Form SS-4 faxed once. A single field error restarts the 4-7 day clock. See EIN processing time for the full timeline breakdown.
Common Errors
Why Does the IRS Online EIN Tool Reject Applications?
The IRS online EIN tool rejects applications for four reasons: no SSN or ITIN, a name control conflict, exceeding the one-EIN-per-day limit, or a system reference number error such as 101 or 102. Each error ends the session and forces you to start again.
The most common rejection for international founders is the missing SSN or ITIN. The tool simply will not advance past the responsible party screen. The remaining errors affect US filers too.
No SSN or ITIN
Reference Number 101
Daily Limit Exceeded
Session Timeout
Faxing Form SS-4 sidesteps the SSN block and the session timeout entirely. The IRS reviews faxed forms manually and accepts a passport number as foreign identification.
Non-Resident Path
How Do Non-Residents Get an EIN Without the Online Tool?
Non-residents get an EIN by faxing Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627 with a passport number on Line 7b. The IRS accepts foreign identification by fax even though it blocks the online tool. The IRS issues most correctly filed EINs within 4-7 business days at no government cost.
ein.so was built for this exact case. We prepare Form SS-4 for non-US founders, fax it to the IRS, and email the EIN assignment letter. Standard processing costs $49 and delivers in 4-7 business days. Express costs $97 and delivers in 2-3 business days.
| SS-4 Field | Non-Resident Entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your US LLC or entity name |
| Line 4 (Address) | Your foreign mailing address |
| Line 7a (Responsible party) | Your full name as on your passport |
| Line 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN) | Your foreign passport number |
| Line 10 (Reason) | Started new business |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | E.g., software, e-commerce, consulting |
A foreign-owned single-member US LLC must also file Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for not filing is $25,000. Most US LLCs additionally file a BOI report with FinCEN. Confirm tax specifics with a CPA, because ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. Start your filing on the apply page.
After Approval
What Can You Do With Your EIN After the IRS Issues It?
After the IRS issues your EIN, you can open a US business bank account, register on US selling platforms, accept payments, and file federal tax forms. The EIN is the federal tax ID that connects your entity to the entire US financial system.
Open a US Bank Account
Register on Selling Platforms
File Federal Tax Forms
Report Beneficial Ownership
Your EIN is permanent. It does not expire and the IRS does not reassign it. Keep the CP 575 confirmation letter, because banks and platforms ask for it during verification.
Next Steps
After Getting Your EIN From the IRS
- Open a US bank account — Mercury and Relay accept non-resident LLC owners with an EIN and passport
- File your BOI report — required for most LLCs, free at fincen.gov
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs, $25,000 penalty for non-filing
- Confirm your costs — the IRS EIN is $0; see the EIN cost breakdown and processing time
- Learn the full process — read how to get an EIN and the SS-4 form guide
Non-resident without an SSN? The online tool is blocked for you. See EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents. ein.so files Form SS-4 by fax and emails your EIN in 4-7 business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for an EIN online with the IRS?
Yes, if you hold a valid SSN or ITIN. The IRS EIN Assistant at irs.gov issues your EIN instantly after a 10-15 minute session. The tool runs Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time. Applicants without an SSN or ITIN cannot use the online tool and must fax Form SS-4 instead.
Is the IRS EIN online application free?
Yes. The IRS charges $0 for an EIN through every channel, including the online EIN Assistant, fax, and mail. No IRS fee exists. Any service that charges you, including ein.so at $49 Standard, charges for preparing and submitting the paperwork, not for the EIN number itself. See our [EIN cost breakdown](/ein-cost/).
Can non-residents use the IRS EIN online tool?
No. The IRS online EIN Assistant requires a valid SSN or ITIN for the responsible party. Non-US residents without an SSN or ITIN are blocked at the identification step. They must submit Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627, entering a passport number on Line 7b. ein.so handles this fax filing for $49.
How long does the IRS online EIN application take?
The IRS online EIN application issues your number instantly. The session itself takes 10-15 minutes to complete. You download your CP 575 confirmation immediately. By contrast, the fax method used by non-residents takes 4-7 business days for an error-free Form SS-4. See [EIN processing time](/ein-processing-time/).
What do I need for the IRS online EIN application?
You need a valid SSN or ITIN, the legal entity name, the entity type, a US address, the reason for applying, and responsible party details. The session does not save, so prepare everything first. You must finish in one sitting before the IRS times out the session after 15 minutes of inactivity.
Why does the IRS online EIN tool reject my application?
The IRS online tool rejects applications when the responsible party lacks an SSN or ITIN, when a name control conflict occurs, or when the daily EIN limit of one per responsible party is exceeded. Reference number errors such as 101 and 102 also stop the session. Non-residents avoid all of these by faxing Form SS-4.
Can I get an EIN online without an SSN?
No. The IRS online EIN Assistant requires an SSN or ITIN at the responsible party screen. There is no online path for applicants without one. You must use the fax method with Form SS-4 and a passport number on Line 7b. See our [EIN without SSN guide](/ein-without-ssn/) for the full process.
What is the difference between the online tool and faxing Form SS-4?
The online tool issues an EIN instantly but requires an SSN or ITIN. The fax method accepts a passport number on Line 7b and works for non-residents, taking 4-7 business days. Both channels cost $0 at the IRS. ein.so prepares and faxes the SS-4 so the paperwork is correct on the first attempt.
Does ein.so use the IRS online tool or fax?
ein.so files by fax to 855-215-1627 because our clients are non-US residents without an SSN or ITIN. The IRS online tool is blocked for them. We prepare Form SS-4 with your passport number on Line 7b, fax it, and email your EIN. Standard delivery is 4-7 business days for $49; Express is 2-3 business days for $97.
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