EIN Application Step-by-Step
Easybrise Team
Tax Specialist
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your business's tax ID, similar to a Social Security Number for individuals. This guide explains the complete EIN application process for non-US founders, including requirements, timelines, and common issues.
What is an EIN?
An EIN (Employer Identification Number), also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, is a nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify your business for tax purposes. It's required for opening bank accounts, hiring employees, filing tax returns, and working with payment processors.
Why You Need an EIN
- Required to open a US business bank account (Mercury, Relay, etc.)
- Required to activate payment processors like Stripe
- Used by the IRS to identify your business for tax reporting
- Needed for compliance filings and maintaining good standing
- Helps establish legitimacy during banking and KYC review
Why EIN Timing Matters for Banking & Stripe Approval
International founders should obtain their EIN before applying for a US bank account or activating Stripe. Banks and payment processors use the EIN to verify the legal existence of your company with IRS records.
- Delays in application review
- Requests for resubmission
- KYC verification failures
Applying for a bank account or Stripe without an EIN may lead to the issues listed above.
EIN Application Process for Non-US Residents
Note: The IRS online EIN application is only available to individuals with SSN or ITIN. Non-US residents without these must apply by mail or fax using Form SS-4.
Complete Form SS-4
Fill out IRS Form SS-4 (Application for Employer Identification Number) with your LLC information and responsible party details.
Submit to IRS
Submit the completed SS-4 form to the IRS via fax or mail. Fax is faster and provides confirmation of receipt.
Wait for Processing
The IRS reviews your application to validate the responsible party and entity details.
Receive EIN Confirmation
You will receive an EIN Confirmation Letter (CP-575), which banks and Stripe may request during onboarding.
Information Required for EIN Application
- Legal LLC name exactly as registered with the state
- Formation state and approval date
- US business mailing address (virtual address permitted)
- Responsible party name (must match passport exactly)
- Passport details for identity validation
- Business activity description (must match what you will tell bank/Stripe)
Consistency Requirement for Banking & Stripe: The business description, address, and ownership information provided in your EIN application should match what you later submit to your bank and Stripe account. Mismatched data is one of the most common causes of verification delays.
EIN Processing Timeline
| Submission Method | Processing Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online (with SSN/ITIN) | Immediate | Only for US persons with SSN/ITIN |
| Fax (Form SS-4) | 4-6 weeks | Recommended for non-US residents |
| Mail (Form SS-4) | 6-8 weeks | Slowest option, not recommended |
| Phone (with SSN) | Same day | Only available for US persons |
Many international founders submit EIN applications via fax to receive an official IRS confirmation suitable for banking and Stripe verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying for a bank account before EIN is issued
- Using different business descriptions across EIN, bank, and Stripe
- Name mismatch between IRS filing and formation documents
- Submitting incomplete responsible party information
- Using personal address instead of declared business address
EIN Preparation Checklist
Everything you need before applying for your EIN
Checklist Preview:
- Confirm LLC is officially formed
- Have Certificate of Formation ready
- Verify LLC name exactly as registered
- Confirm formation date
- Prepare responsible party passport
- +3 more items...
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