Your US Company Needs an EIN — Here's Exactly How It Works

Go Global with a US Company

You've decided to form a US company. Good. But the formation certificate is only half the job — without an EIN, your company can't open a bank account, can't accept payments through Stripe or PayPal, can't file its tax returns, and can't hire anyone.
Here's what an EIN is, why you need it, and how EasyFiling gets you one from outside the United States.

What is an EIN?

An Employer Identification Number is a nine-digit federal tax ID the IRS assigns to your business. Think of it as your company's Social Security Number.
You will be asked for it constantly:

Why non-US residents can't use the IRS online tool

The IRS online EIN application only works for applicants who already hold a US tax ID number. If you don't have one, the system rejects you at the first screen.
That means your application must go to the IRS on a paper Form SS-4, submitted by fax or by mail. This is entirely normal and completely valid — it just takes longer than the instant online route, which is why processing time is the main thing to plan around.

Your EIN confirmation letter: CP 575 and Letter 147C

There is a lot of confusion online about these two documents, so let's be precise.

CP 575 — your original confirmation

When the IRS assigns your EIN, it issues one CP 575 notice. It confirms your EIN, your company's legal name, its address on file, and which federal returns your entity is expected to file.
Two things to know:

• The IRS issues it only once. The notice itself states it will not be reissued.
• It arrives through the same channel you applied through. Apply by fax, and it comes back by fax. Apply by mail, and it comes by post to the address listed on the SS-4.

Because most of our clients don't have a US mailing address, we list your registered agent's address on the application. Your CP 575 is delivered there, and we forward it straight to you.

Letter 147C — your replacement

Letter 147C is not a second letter you receive alongside the CP 575. It's the official substitute you request later if the CP 575 was lost, damaged, or never reached you.
It contains the same core information — your EIN, your legal business name, and your entity classification — and banks, payment processors and state agencies accept it in place of the original.
To obtain one, you call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line. The IRS verifies your identity and then faxes the letter to you.

In short: CP 575 is issued once, automatically. Letter 147C is requested on demand, whenever you need fresh proof. Keep a digital copy of your CP 575 the day it arrives and you may never need a 147C at all.

What we need from you

To start your application, please send us three things:
1. Your Articles of Organization The formation document filed with your state. Also called a Certificate of Formation or Certificate of Organization depending on the state. If EasyFiling formed your company, we already have this.
2. The name of the Responsible Party The IRS requires one named individual who ultimately owns or controls the entity. For a single-member LLC, that's you. For a multi-member LLC, it's the member with the greatest control — typically the managing member. This must be a real person, not another company.
3. Ownership percentage for each member A simple breakdown: who owns what, adding to 100%. For example — Member A: 60%, Member B: 40%.
That's the entire list. Send those three items and we handle the rest.

Processing options

Once we have your documents, choose your speed:

⚡ Expedited — 1 to 2 business days

Additional fee applies. Best if you have a bank account appointment, a payment processor waiting, or a filing deadline approaching.

📋 Standard — 20 to 25 days

Included in your package at no extra cost. Best if you have time and no immediate dependency on the EIN.
Which should you choose? Ask yourself what is waiting on this number. If the answer is a bank, a marketplace account, or a client payment, expedite. If you're building at your own pace, standard is perfectly fine.

After you receive your EIN

Your EIN is permanent. It never expires and never needs renewal. But a few things follow immediately:

• Save the CP 575 as a PDF in at least two places. This saves you a call to the IRS later.
• Open your business bank account. Most banks want the CP 575 or a 147C, your formation documents, and your passport.
• Note your filing obligations. A foreign-owned single-member LLC generally must file Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 every year, even with zero income and zero activity. Penalties for missing this start at $25,000.
• Keep business and personal money separate. Every transfer between you and your LLC is reportable on Form 5472.

Common questions

Do I need to visit the United States? No. The entire process is handled remotely.
Do I need a US address? Not your own. Your registered agent's address serves this purpose.
Can I use my EIN as a personal tax number? No. An EIN belongs to the business. If you personally need a tax number — to file a Form 1040-NR, for example — that's an ITIN, which is a separate application. We handle those too, as an IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent.
What if my company details change later? Your EIN stays the same. Address and responsible-party changes are reported to the IRS separately.
Does an EIN give me a visa or the right to work in the US? No. It is a tax identification number and nothing more.

Ready to start?

Send us your Articles of Organization, your Responsible Party's name, and the ownership split — and let us know whether you'd like expedited or standard processing.

Updated on: 21/08/2026