How to Get an EIN for a Foreign-Owned LLC Without an SSN

A foreign owner can apply for an EIN for a US LLC without having a Social Security number. The important part is using the correct Form SS-4 process and describing the new entity accurately.

This is different from forming the LLC. Create the company with the state first, then request its federal tax ID.

Why the online EIN application may not work

The IRS online EIN assistant generally requires the principal business to be in the United States or a US territory and the responsible party to have a valid taxpayer identification number. A foreign owner without an SSN or ITIN may therefore need to apply by fax, mail, or phone.

Do not borrow someone else’s SSN to get through the online form. The responsible party should be the individual who ultimately owns or controls the entity.

Completing the key SS-4 fields

Use the exact legal LLC name approved by the state. Enter the US mailing address where the IRS letter can be received, if the company has one. Choose the entity type and reason for applying carefully.

For line 7b, the IRS SS-4 instructions say an eligible foreign responsible party without an SSN or ITIN may enter “foreign” or “N/A.” Sign and date the application. An unsigned SS-4 is not complete.

Fax and phone options for international applicants

For an entity with no principal business, office, or legal residence in the United States, the IRS currently lists:

• Fax from within the United States: 855-215-1627.
• Fax from outside the United States: 304-707-9471.
• International applicant phone line: 267-941-1099. This is not toll-free.

The current numbers and hours appear on the IRS EIN information page and SS-4 filing page. Check both before applying.

A short checklist before sending

• The LLC has already been formed.
• The legal name matches the state record.
• The responsible party is a person, not another entity.
• Line 7b follows the current IRS instructions.
• The classification and reason for applying are correct.
• The form is signed and includes a return fax number.

Save the sent PDF and transmission confirmation. If the IRS asks a question, you will want to see exactly what it received.

An EIN does not by itself settle the LLC’s tax classification, reporting obligations, banking requirements, or the owner’s immigration status. For a foreign-owned single-member LLC, professional tax advice can be especially valuable because additional federal filings may apply.

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