Guide

Tax Identification Number

A Tax Identification Number (TIN) is the umbrella term for all US tax IDs: EIN, SSN, ITIN, PTIN, and ATIN. Learn what each type is and when you need it. ein.so files your EIN for $49.

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A Tax Identification Number (TIN) is the umbrella term for every US tax ID the IRS uses to track taxpayers. TIN covers five types: EIN for businesses, SSN for US citizens, ITIN for non-residents, PTIN for tax preparers, and ATIN for adopted children. When a form asks for your TIN, you supply the one that matches your situation.

A Tax Identification Number is not a single number. It is a category. The IRS uses "TIN" on official forms because several different numbers can fill the same field. A US citizen writes an SSN. A business writes an EIN. A non-resident writes an ITIN. Knowing which TIN you need prevents rejected forms, blocked bank applications, and missed tax filings. This guide defines all five TIN types, shows which one applies to your situation, and explains how non-US residents get the most common business TIN, the EIN, without an SSN. ein.so files the EIN for non-residents for $49.

TIN Type	Full Name	Issued To	Format	IRS Form	IRS Cost
EIN	Employer Identification Number	Businesses	XX-XXXXXXX	SS-4	$0
SSN	Social Security Number	US citizens / residents	XXX-XX-XXXX	SS-5	$0
ITIN	Individual Taxpayer ID	Non-residents without SSN	9XX-XX-XXXX	W-7	$0
PTIN	Preparer Tax ID	Paid tax preparers	P + 8 digits	Online	$0
ATIN	Adoption Taxpayer ID	Adopted children pending SSN	9XX-XX-XXXX	W-7A	$0

The Five Types

What Are the Five Types of Tax Identification Number?

The five types of TIN are the EIN, SSN, ITIN, PTIN, and ATIN. Each serves a distinct purpose. The EIN identifies a business. The SSN identifies a US citizen. The ITIN identifies a non-resident person. The PTIN identifies a paid tax preparer. The ATIN covers an adopted child awaiting an SSN.

EIN — Employer Identification Number

The EIN is a 9-digit business TIN formatted XX-XXXXXXX. Every US business entity uses one to open a bank account, hire staff, and file taxes. Non-residents get an EIN by faxing Form SS-4. The IRS charges $0. See how to get an EIN.

SSN — Social Security Number

The SSN is a 9-digit personal TIN formatted XXX-XX-XXXX. The Social Security Administration issues it to US citizens and work-authorized residents using Form SS-5. Non-residents abroad cannot get an SSN, so they use an ITIN or EIN instead.

ITIN — Individual Taxpayer ID

The ITIN is a 9-digit personal TIN that starts with 9. The IRS issues it to non-residents who must file a US tax return but cannot get an SSN. You apply with Form W-7. The ein.so ITIN service costs $197 Standard. See the ITIN guide.

PTIN — Preparer Tax ID

The PTIN is an 8-digit number prefixed with P. Every paid US tax preparer must hold one before signing a return. Preparers register at irs.gov. The PTIN protects the preparer's SSN from appearing on client returns. See preparer tax ID.

The fifth type, the ATIN, is rare. The IRS issues an Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number to families adopting a US child when the child's SSN is not yet available. It lets adoptive parents claim the child on a return. Most readers of this page need the EIN, which is the business TIN.

Which One

Which Tax Identification Number Do You Need?

You need the TIN that matches your role. A US business needs an EIN. A US citizen filing personal taxes uses an SSN. A non-resident person filing US taxes needs an ITIN. A paid tax preparer needs a PTIN. Match your situation in the table below.

Your Situation	TIN You Need	How to Get It
US business entity (LLC, corp)	EIN	File Form SS-4
Foreign-owned US LLC	EIN	Fax SS-4 with passport
US citizen filing personal tax	SSN	File Form SS-5
Non-resident filing US tax return	ITIN	File Form W-7
Paid US tax preparer	PTIN	Register at irs.gov
Adopted child pending SSN	ATIN	File Form W-7A

Most non-resident entrepreneurs need the EIN, not the ITIN. The EIN belongs to the business. The ITIN belongs to a person. A foreign owner of a US LLC gets an EIN for the company and does not need an ITIN unless a US tax return requires a personal number. Confirm your personal filing needs with a US CPA. See EIN without SSN for the non-resident path.

EIN vs Other TINs

How Does an EIN Differ From Other Tax Identification Numbers?

An EIN differs from other TINs because it identifies a business, not a person. The SSN and ITIN identify individuals. The PTIN identifies a tax preparer. The EIN is the only TIN that attaches to a company, which is why every US LLC and corporation needs one.

The distinction matters when forms ask for a TIN. A bank opening a business account wants the EIN. A US client sending you a W-9 wants the EIN of your LLC. A payment processor like Stripe or PayPal collects the EIN during its tax interview. You never enter a personal SSN or ITIN where a business TIN belongs.

Question	EIN	SSN	ITIN
Identifies a...	Business	Person	Person
Available to non-residents	Yes	No	Yes
Requires SSN to apply	No	N/A	No
Used on W-9 / bank forms	Yes	Personal only	Personal only
IRS fee	$0	$0	$0
ein.so price	$49	N/A	$197

The biggest practical difference for non-residents is access. The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN. Non-residents cannot use it. Instead, they fax Form SS-4 and enter a passport number on Line 7b. This is why the fax method, which ein.so handles, is the standard route for foreign founders. See EIN for non-residents.

Step-by-Step

How Do Non-Residents Get a Business TIN (EIN)?

Non-residents get a business TIN by faxing IRS Form SS-4 to 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. The online tool is blocked without an SSN, so fax is the path.

Form Your US LLC

Register an LLC in a state like Wyoming, Delaware, or New Mexico through a registered agent. This creates the legal entity that the EIN attaches to. You can form the LLC entirely online from abroad.

Gather Your Documents

You need your valid passport, your LLC name and formation state, and your home-country address. No SSN, ITIN, or US residency is required to get the EIN.

Complete Form SS-4

Enter your LLC name on Line 1, your address on Line 4, your full name as responsible party on Line 7a, and your passport number on Line 7b. ein.so completes this to prevent errors. See the SS-4 form guide.

Submit by Fax and Receive Your EIN

The SS-4 is faxed to the IRS at 855-215-1627. Standard delivery is 4-7 business days; Express is 2-3 business days. The IRS returns your EIN assignment letter, the CP 575.

SS-4 Field Guide for the Business TIN

SS-4 Field	Non-Resident Entry
Line 1 (Legal name)	Your US LLC name
Line 4 (Address)	Your home-country address
Line 7a (Responsible party)	Your full name as on passport
Line 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN)	Your passport number
Line 10 (Reason)	Started new business
Line 16 (Principal activity)	E.g., "software," "e-commerce," "consulting"

The most common rejection cause is a malformed international address. The IRS silently drops applications with addresses that do not fit the SS-4 layout. ein.so reformats your address to an IRS-accepted style. See the full EIN application process and EIN processing time.

Cost

How Much Does Each Tax Identification Number Cost?

Every TIN costs $0 directly from the IRS or Social Security Administration. The IRS charges nothing for an EIN, an ITIN, or a PTIN. The fee you pay covers service: correct form preparation, fax submission to the IRS, and delivery of your number by email.

TIN	IRS / SSA Fee	DIY Time	ein.so Standard	ein.so Express
EIN	$0	4-7 business days	$49 (4-7 days)	$97 (2-3 days)
ITIN	$0	Weeks by mail	$197	$297
SSN	$0	Varies	Not offered	Not offered
PTIN	$0	Online	Not offered	Not offered

The IRS charges $0 for the EIN itself. ein.so charges $49 to prepare and fax Form SS-4 so a non-resident avoids rejected applications and costly international calls to the IRS. The ein.so ITIN service costs $197 Standard or $297 Express and covers Form W-7. See the EIN cost breakdown for a full comparison. ein.so does not provide tax advice; confirm tax positions with a CPA.

Using Your TIN

Where Do You Use Your Business Tax Identification Number?

You use your business TIN, the EIN, anywhere a US form asks for a company tax ID. This includes bank applications, the W-9, the W-8BEN-E, payment-processor tax interviews, and your annual IRS filings. The EIN is the single number that links your US LLC to every US financial and tax system.

US Bank Account

Mercury, Relay, and Wise require your EIN and passport to open a US business account. The EIN appears on the application as your business TIN. See EIN for a bank account.

Payment Processors

Stripe, PayPal, and Payoneer collect your EIN during their tax interview. Without a valid business TIN, payouts are held or capped. The EIN unlocks full USD processing for your LLC.

Annual IRS Filing

A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The EIN identifies the filer. The penalty for not filing is $25,000. Confirm your duties with a US CPA.

Marketplace Selling

Amazon, Shopify, and Etsy require a US TIN for their seller tax interview. Sellers enter the EIN of their US LLC to complete onboarding and receive payouts in dollars.

Beyond these, most US LLCs must file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with FinCEN, which is free. Review the BOI filing rules after you receive your EIN. Keep your CP 575 assignment letter safe, because banks and platforms ask for it as proof of your business TIN.

Next Steps

What Are Your Next Steps After Getting a TIN?

Apply for your EIN — ein.so files Form SS-4 for $49 Standard or $97 Express
Get an EIN without an SSN — the non-resident fax path with a passport number
Open a US bank account — Mercury, Relay, and Wise accept non-resident LLC owners
File your BOI report — required for most LLCs, free at fincen.gov/boi
File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)

Apply for your EIN — $49

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Tax Identification Number (TIN)?

A Tax Identification Number (TIN) is the umbrella term for every US tax ID the IRS uses to track taxpayers. It covers five types: EIN for businesses, SSN for US citizens, ITIN for non-residents without an SSN, PTIN for paid tax preparers, and ATIN for adopted children. When a form asks for your TIN, you supply whichever number matches your situation.

Is a TIN the same as an EIN?

No. A TIN is the broad category, and an EIN is one type of TIN. An EIN is a 9-digit Employer Identification Number formatted XX-XXXXXXX that identifies a business. When a US form asks for your business TIN, you enter your EIN. When it asks for a personal TIN, you enter your SSN or ITIN instead.

Is a TIN the same as an SSN?

No. An SSN is one type of TIN. The Social Security Administration issues SSNs to US citizens and authorized residents using Form SS-5. TIN is the umbrella term that also includes the EIN, ITIN, PTIN, and ATIN. A non-resident without an SSN still has a valid TIN through an EIN or ITIN.

Which TIN do non-US residents need?

Non-US residents need an EIN for a US business and an ITIN for personal US tax filing. A foreign owner of a US LLC gets an EIN by faxing Form SS-4 to the IRS using a passport number on Line 7b. No SSN or ITIN is required for the EIN. ein.so files the EIN for $49.

How do non-residents get an EIN without an SSN?

Non-residents get an EIN without an SSN by faxing Form SS-4 to the IRS at 855-215-1627. You enter your passport number on Line 7b instead of an SSN or ITIN. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so it is blocked for non-residents. ein.so prepares and faxes the SS-4 for you and delivers the EIN by email.

How much does each type of TIN cost?

The IRS charges $0 for an EIN, an ITIN, and a PTIN renewal. The SSN is free from the Social Security Administration. ein.so files your EIN for $49 Standard (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days). The ein.so ITIN service costs $197 Standard or $297 Express, covering Form W-7 preparation.

How long does it take to get an EIN as a non-resident?

An EIN by fax takes 4-7 business days when Form SS-4 is error-free. ein.so Standard processing matches this at $49, and Express delivers in 2-3 business days for $97. An ITIN by mail takes longer because the IRS reviews original identity documents. Confirm current IRS timelines on the EIN processing time page.

What is the difference between a TIN and an ITIN?

A TIN is the umbrella category, and an ITIN is one specific type within it. The IRS issues an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) to non-residents who must file a US tax return but cannot get an SSN. An ITIN starts with the digit 9 and uses Form W-7. An EIN, also a TIN, identifies a business, not a person.

Does a foreign-owned US LLC need a TIN to file taxes?

Yes. A foreign-owned single-member US LLC needs an EIN to file Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for not filing is $25,000. The EIN is the business TIN that connects the LLC to the IRS. ein.so files the EIN for $49. Confirm your full filing duties with a US CPA.

Where do I enter my TIN on US business forms?

You enter your business TIN, which is your EIN, on W-9, W-8BEN-E, and bank application forms. Payment processors like Stripe, PayPal, and Amazon collect your EIN during their tax interview. A personal TIN field takes your SSN or ITIN. Keep your EIN assignment letter (CP 575) as proof of the number.

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