What Is an EIN and Why Does Every US LLC Need One?
An EIN, or Employer Identification Number, is a nine digit tax ID issued by the IRS to identify your US business. You need it to open a US bank account, sign up for Stripe, and sell on Amazon USA. Indian founders can get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN, and we file it for you as part of every formation package.
An EIN is your US tax identification number. Without it, you cannot open a US bank account, file taxes, or get approved for Stripe. If you have a US LLC, your EIN is non-negotiable.
What Is an EIN
An EIN is a nine-digit number issued by the IRS to identify a business entity in the United States. It works like a PAN card for a US business. Despite the word Employer in the name, you do not need employees to get one. Any US LLC with a single non-resident owner needs an EIN to operate properly.
Why Your LLC Cannot Function Without an EIN
Almost every US bank requires your EIN to open a business account. No EIN means no bank account.
Both require an EIN for US business account verification. It is one of the first things they ask for.
Filing any US federal or state tax return requires your EIN on every form submitted to the IRS.
Amazon US requires an EIN to verify your identity as a US business seller for FBA or direct sales.
US clients often ask for a W-9 form requiring your EIN before paying you or entering agreements.
To pay US-based contractors, you need an EIN to issue proper 1099 tax forms.
How to Get an EIN as a Non-US Resident
For US residents, getting an EIN is a quick online process. For Indian founders, the IRS online application requires a US Social Security Number which you do not have. You must apply by phone or fax using Form SS-4.
The IRS phone line for international callers has long wait times and specific hour windows. Preparing Form SS-4 correctly requires specific knowledge. Incorp Genius files your EIN on your behalf as part of our standard US setup, typically confirmed same-day, delivered to you on WhatsApp.
Does an EIN Expire
No. Your EIN is permanent. Once the IRS assigns it to your LLC, it stays with that entity for as long as the LLC exists. You do not need to renew it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an EIN without a Social Security Number?
Yes. Non US residents apply by filing Form SS-4 with the IRS by fax or mail, with no SSN or ITIN required. The online application is only for people with a US taxpayer ID, which is why Indian founders use the SS-4 route.
How long does an EIN take for someone in India?
Filed by fax, the IRS typically issues an EIN in one to three weeks. Mail filings can take six weeks or more. We fax file and chase the IRS on your behalf, so you do not spend hours on hold. Ask us about current IRS processing times.
Is an EIN the same as a TIN or ITIN?
They are related but different. TIN is the umbrella term for US taxpayer IDs. An EIN identifies a business entity. An ITIN identifies an individual who has no SSN. For a US LLC owned from India, the company needs an EIN, and in most cases you personally do not need an ITIN at all.
Do I need an EIN for a single member LLC?
Practically, yes. Even though the IRS treats a single member LLC as a disregarded entity, banks, Stripe, and Amazon all require an EIN, and the mandatory annual Form 5472 filing references it. Every IncorpGenius formation package includes the EIN for this reason.
How much does an EIN cost?
The IRS itself charges nothing. What you pay for is correct preparation of Form SS-4 for a foreign owned LLC, the fax filing, and follow up until the number is issued. Mistakes on SS-4 are the most common reason EINs get delayed by months.
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