EIN
FoundationsAn EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a nine-digit number the IRS assigns to your business. Think of it as the business equivalent of a Social Security Number — it identifies your LLC or corporation for federal tax purposes, lets you open a US bank account, and is required to file business tax returns or hire employees.
How it works. You apply online through the IRS website (Form SS-4) in a single session and receive the number immediately. For non-US residents with no SSN or ITIN, you can still apply — you fill out the form using your passport information and, if applying by fax or mail, list a responsible party with a foreign address. The online application requires an SSN/ITIN, but the paper and fax routes do not. Processing by fax takes roughly 4–10 business days.
An EIN is not a personal tax ID — it belongs to the entity, not the individual. If you’re a non-resident forming a US LLC, you will likely need both an EIN (for the company) and an ITIN (for your personal filings).
Example. A Mexican entrepreneur forms a Wyoming LLC online for $200. Before she can open a Mercury or Relay business account, the bank asks for her EIN confirmation letter. She applies by fax using Form SS-4 with her passport copy and receives the EIN in eight days — no SSN, no US visit.
Getting an EIN is typically step two after company formation. See How to form a US LLC as a non-resident for the full incorporation walkthrough, and EIN & ITIN without an SSN for the step-by-step application guide.