IRS Guide
IRS EIN Phone Number Guide
The IRS phone number for EIN inquiries is 800-829-4933 (domestic) and 267-941-1099 (international). Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-7pm ET. Non-residents without an SSN apply by fax instead. ein.so files Form SS-4 for $49.
The IRS phone number for EIN inquiries is 800-829-4933 (domestic) and 267-941-1099 (international), Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Eastern Time. Use these lines to check status, verify an EIN, or request Letter 147C. The IRS no longer issues new EINs by phone to most applicants. Non-US residents without an SSN apply by faxing Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627. ein.so prepares and files your SS-4 for $49 (4-7 business days) or $97 (2-3 business days).
The IRS operates dedicated phone lines for Employer Identification Number questions. The domestic line is 800-829-4933. The international line is 267-941-1099. Both run Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Eastern Time. These lines handle EIN status checks, EIN verification, and Letter 147C requests. They no longer issue new EINs by phone to most applicants. Non-US residents face a second obstacle: the IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN they do not have. This page explains every IRS EIN phone number, what each line does, why non-residents apply by fax, and how to get your EIN without spending an hour on an international call.
| Purpose | Method | Number | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| EIN questions (domestic) | Phone | 800-829-4933 | Toll-free |
| EIN questions (international) | Phone | 267-941-1099 | Not toll-free |
| TTY/TDD | Phone | 800-829-4059 | Varies |
| New EIN (non-resident, no SSN) | Fax SS-4 | 855-215-1627 | IRS fee $0 |
| New EIN (done-for-you) | ein.so | — | $49 / $97 |
Phone Numbers
What Is the IRS EIN Phone Number?
The IRS EIN phone number is 800-829-4933 for domestic callers and 267-941-1099 for international callers. Both lines operate Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Eastern Time. The TTY/TDD line for hearing-impaired callers is 800-829-4059.
Each number serves a specific audience. The 800 number is toll-free inside the United States. The 267 number is the Business and Specialty Tax Line for callers outside the country. International callers pay standard long-distance rates for the full call, including the hold time.
| Line | Number | Who Uses It | Toll-Free |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic EIN line | 800-829-4933 | US-based callers | Yes |
| International EIN line | 267-941-1099 | Callers outside the US | No |
| TTY/TDD line | 800-829-4059 | Hearing-impaired callers | Varies |
What You Can Do on These Lines
- Check your EIN application status
- Verify an existing EIN
- Request Letter 147C to confirm a lost EIN
- Report a lost EIN number
- Update responsible party or address information
The lines do not issue new EINs to most applicants by phone. New applications run through the online tool, by fax, or by mail. See the full how to get an EIN guide for every method.
Non-Residents
Can Non-US Residents Apply for an EIN by Phone?
No. Non-US residents cannot apply for a new EIN by phone, because the IRS no longer issues EINs by phone to most applicants. The international line at 267-941-1099 handles status, verification, and 147C requests, not new filings. Non-residents apply by faxing Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627.
This rule creates a problem for international founders. The IRS online EIN tool requires a valid SSN to authenticate the responsible party. A non-resident without an SSN is blocked at that screen. The phone line will not file a new application. That leaves the fax method as the working path.
The fax method accepts a passport number in place of an SSN. You enter your passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b. No SSN, ITIN, or US visit is required. Read the dedicated EIN without SSN guide and the EIN for non-residents overview for the complete picture.
Three reasons non-residents skip the phone call
- The IRS does not issue new EINs by phone to most applicants, so the call cannot complete your application.
- The 267-941-1099 international line is not toll-free; a 60-minute call costs more than ein.so's $49 Standard service.
- The 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Eastern Time window forces awkward call hours across most international time zones.
Fax Method
How Do Non-Residents Get an EIN Without Calling?
Non-residents get an EIN by faxing a completed Form SS-4 to the IRS at 855-215-1627, using a passport number on Line 7b instead of an SSN. The IRS issues most correctly filed EINs within 4-7 business days. No phone call, US visit, or SSN is required.
Form Your US Entity
Gather Your Documents
Complete Form SS-4
Fax to the IRS and Receive Your EIN
SS-4 Fields That Trip Up Non-Residents
| SS-4 Field | Correct Entry |
|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Your US LLC or corporation name |
| Line 4 (Mailing address) | Your foreign address |
| Line 7a (Responsible party) | Your full name as on your passport |
| Line 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN) | Your passport number |
| Line 10 (Reason for applying) | Started new business |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | E.g., "software," "e-commerce," "consulting" |
The most common rejection cause is malformed Line 7b data and international address formatting. The IRS rejects malformed international addresses without a clear notice. ein.so reformats your address to an IRS-accepted style and verifies Line 7b before faxing. See the full how to get an EIN process.
Phone vs Fax vs Service
Phone, Fax, or ein.so: Which EIN Method Wins?
The fax method wins for non-US residents, because the phone line no longer issues new EINs and the online tool requires an SSN. ein.so handles the fax filing end to end for $49, removing the rejection risk that delays DIY applicants by weeks.
The IRS charges $0 for the EIN itself through every channel. The difference is speed, effort, and error risk. Compare the three realistic paths below.
| Method | Files New EIN? | SSN Needed? | Speed | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRS phone (267-941-1099) | No (status only) | No | N/A | International call charges | Status and 147C requests |
| IRS online tool | Yes | Yes | Instant | $0 | US residents with an SSN |
| DIY fax (855-215-1627) | Yes | No | 4-7 business days | $0 | Confident DIY non-residents |
| ein.so Standard | Yes | No | 4-7 business days | $49 | Non-residents who want it done right |
| ein.so Express | Yes | No | 2-3 business days | $97 | Non-residents on a deadline |
The IRS fee is always $0. ein.so's $49 and $97 cover form preparation, error checking, faxing, and email delivery of your EIN letter. For a full price breakdown, see EIN cost, and for timelines see EIN processing time.
Calling Tips
How Do I Reduce IRS EIN Phone Hold Times?
You reduce IRS EIN phone hold times by calling Tuesday through Thursday between 7:00 and 8:00 AM Eastern Time, right when the lines open. Hold times then run shorter than the 30 to 60 minute peak average. Mondays, Fridays, and tax season weeks are the longest.
Call Early in the Week
Avoid Peak Days
Prepare Your Information
Skip the Call Entirely
International callers should weigh the cost. A 60-minute hold on the 267-941-1099 line, billed at international long-distance rates, can exceed the $49 Standard ein.so fee. The call also cannot file a new EIN, so the time and money produce only a status check.
After Approval
What Do I Do After the IRS Issues My EIN?
After the IRS issues your EIN, you open a US business bank account, file your beneficial ownership report, and meet your annual federal filing duties. The EIN is the federal tax ID that connects your foreign-owned entity to the US financial system. Each next step builds on it.
Open a US Bank Account
File Your BOI Report
File Form 5472 Annually
Add an ITIN If Needed
ein.so handles the EIN application and does not provide tax advice. Confirm Form 5472, BOI, and treaty specifics with a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters. Your EIN is the starting point, not the end, of US compliance. See EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents for related guides.
Next Steps
Get Your EIN the Faster Way
- Apply through ein.so — we file Form SS-4 by fax and deliver your EIN by email, $49 Standard or $97 Express
- Check the EIN application process — every method explained, online, fax, and mail
- Get an EIN without an SSN — the passport-on-Line-7b path for non-residents
- 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
- Review BOI filing — required for most LLCs, filed at fincen.gov
Related: EIN cost | EIN processing time | EIN for non-residents | SS-4 form guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IRS phone number for EIN?
The IRS EIN phone numbers are 800-829-4933 for domestic callers and 267-941-1099 for international callers. Both lines operate Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Eastern Time. The 800 number is toll-free. The 267 international line is not toll-free, so international calling charges apply for the full hold time.
Can I apply for an EIN by phone as a non-US resident?
No. The IRS discontinued EIN issuance by phone for most applicants. The 267-941-1099 international line now handles status, verification, and 147C requests, not new applications. Non-residents without an SSN apply by faxing Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627. ein.so prepares and faxes your SS-4 and delivers the EIN by email for $49.
Why can't non-residents use the IRS online EIN tool?
The IRS online EIN tool requires a valid SSN or ITIN to authenticate the responsible party. Non-US residents without an SSN are blocked at this step. The fax method using Form SS-4 Line 7b accepts a passport number instead. See our guide on getting an EIN without an SSN for the full process.
How long is the IRS phone hold time for EIN questions?
IRS phone hold times for EIN questions run 30 to 60 minutes during peak periods. The shortest waits are Tuesday through Thursday, 7:00 to 8:00 AM Eastern Time. Mondays, Fridays, and tax season weeks are the longest. International callers pay long-distance charges for the entire hold, which is why most non-residents skip the call.
Can I check my EIN application status by phone?
Yes. Call 800-829-4933 domestically or 267-941-1099 internationally to check EIN status. Have your entity legal name, mailing address on file, responsible party name, and approximate application date ready. The agent verifies your identity before releasing any EIN details. ein.so customers receive status updates by email and do not need to call.
What is IRS Letter 147C and how do I request it by phone?
Letter 147C is an official IRS letter that confirms an existing EIN, used when you lost the original CP 575 assignment letter. Request it by calling 800-829-4933 or 267-941-1099. The IRS mails or faxes the 147C to the responsible party. Banks accept the 147C as proof of your EIN for account opening.
Is calling the IRS EIN line free?
The domestic 800-829-4933 line is toll-free within the United States. The 267-941-1099 international line is not toll-free, so international calling rates apply for every minute of the call and the 30 to 60 minute hold. A 60-minute international call can cost more than ein.so's entire $49 Standard filing service.
Do I need an SSN to call the IRS about an EIN?
You do not need an SSN to ask EIN status or verification questions by phone, but you must verify your identity as the responsible party. You do need an SSN to apply online. Non-residents applying for a new EIN use the fax method with a passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b, which ein.so handles.
Should I call the IRS or use ein.so to get my EIN?
Non-US residents should use the fax method rather than the phone line, because the IRS no longer issues new EINs by phone to most applicants. ein.so prepares Form SS-4, faxes it to 855-215-1627, and delivers your EIN by email in 4-7 business days for $49, or 2-3 business days for $97.
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