ITIN vs EIN. Two different tax IDs.
ITIN is a US individual tax ID for non-US persons. EIN is a US entity tax ID. Foreign founders may need both: EIN for the LLC, ITIN for the founder personally (if the LLC is taxed as disregarded entity with US tax obligations).
Start here.
Employer Identification Number. For US business entities. Issued by IRS to LLCs, corps, partnerships.
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. For non-US individuals with US tax obligations.
Required for any US business entity. Forms SS-4 (paper for non-US founders).
Required for non-US individuals filing US tax returns or claiming treaty benefits.
EIN: Form SS-4 (free). ITIN: Form W-7 + supporting documents + IRS acceptance agent or in-person CAA.
The full picture.
EIN basics
Employer Identification Number, also called Federal Tax Identification Number. Required for any US business entity (LLC, corp, partnership). Used for tax filings, bank accounts, employees, payment processors. Free from IRS. Same-day issuance for US founders with SSN; 1-3 weeks via paper Form SS-4 for foreign founders without SSN.
ITIN basics
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. 9-digit number formatted like an SSN. For non-US individuals with US tax obligations: filing US tax return, claiming treaty benefits, certain dependent claims, US source income reporting. Issued by IRS via Form W-7.
When you need an EIN
You need an EIN whenever you form a US business entity. The EIN applies to the entity, not the owner. Foreign founders of US LLCs and C-Corps must obtain EIN for the business.
When you need an ITIN
You need an ITIN if you have US tax obligations as an individual: (1) US-source income subject to US tax; (2) Filing a US tax return claiming treaty benefits; (3) Certain dependent claims; (4) Some passive income from US sources requiring withholding. ITIN does NOT authorize you to work in the US.
Do I need both?
Many foreign founders need both. The LLC needs EIN. The owner may need ITIN if there are US tax obligations on the individual level (treaty filings, US source income reporting). Many single-member LLC owners only need EIN for the business; ITIN becomes important for specific tax filings.
How to get an EIN as a foreign founder
File paper Form SS-4 with the IRS via fax. Designate a "Responsible Party" (the foreign founder). Wait 1-3 weeks for the EIN letter (CP-575). File.Business handles this filing as part of our formation service.
How to get an ITIN
File Form W-7 with the IRS. Submit either: (a) US tax return showing the need; or (b) supporting documents proving foreign status. Acceptance Agent (CAA) can certify documents in your home country. Application processing: 7-11 weeks typical.
Common confusion
Many resources conflate ITIN and EIN. They are different. Forming an LLC and getting an EIN does NOT give you an ITIN. The ITIN is a separate IRS process for individuals.
What about SSN
SSN is only for US citizens and authorized US workers. Non-US foreign founders without US work authorization cannot obtain an SSN.
Common questions.
What is the difference between an ITIN and an EIN?
Do I need both an ITIN and an EIN?
Can I get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN?
Does an ITIN let me work in the US?
How long does an ITIN take?
Is an ITIN renewable?
What does an ITIN or EIN cost?
Can my LLC use my ITIN instead of an EIN?
When would I file Form W-7?
Form your US LLC.
From abroad. Wyoming or Delaware. EIN, US banking, Stripe, ongoing compliance handled.
This guide is educational. International tax and compliance require specialty CPA and attorney advice.
How we deliver, end-to-end.
Four-step path from request to confirmation. State and IRS turnaround varies; our steps run in parallel where possible to compress the timeline.
Intake + scope
You tell us what you need through a short intake form (or a call for complex matters). We confirm scope, surface any gating issues (deadlines, missing documents, entity status), and quote any state fees that pass through at cost.
Prepare + verify
Our specialists draft the filing, verify entity details against state databases, run internal QA, and route any items needing your sign-off. You see drafts before anything gets submitted.
File with the authority
We submit directly to the state Secretary of State, FinCEN, IRS, USPTO, or whichever authority your filing requires. We pay state fees at cost and track the submission identifier in your account.
Confirmation + vault
Stamped certificate, IRS notice, or filing receipt arrives in your SOC 2 encrypted document vault the moment we receive it. Next filing deadline auto-added to your compliance calendar where applicable.
Built on the same infrastructure used by 220,000+ businesses.
SOC 2 Type II audited
Independent annual security audit covering access control, change management, incident response, and data handling. Current report on request.
All 51 US jurisdictions
Every state plus DC plus Puerto Rico - direct filings, not third-party reseller. We hold registered-agent qualifications in every state we operate.
Deadline guarantee
If we miss a filing deadline on a service you pay us to manage, we pay the state penalty. Specific to each plan and the filings it includes.
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60-day money-back promise
Change your mind in the first 60 days and we refund our service fee in full. State filing fees pass through at cost and are non-refundable once paid to the state.
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