Why the IRS online EIN application does not work for non-residents
The IRS online EIN application at irs.gov requires the "responsible party" to enter a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) in the appropriate field. Without either, the application errors out with an unhelpful generic message. This is the single biggest blocker for non-residents trying to DIY.
The IRS does not advertise the alternative. The workaround is Form SS-4 by fax, which is officially supported under IRS Publication 1635 and does not require SSN or ITIN for foreign responsible parties. There is no online or e-file path for foreign-owned single-member LLCs as of 2026.
WyomingLLC routes every non-resident EIN application through fax by default. We have no failed fax-based filings in our internal data when the form is completed correctly.
The fax-based EIN process (what works)
- Form your Wyoming LLC first. The IRS requires the LLC's exact legal name from the Articles of Organization. We file your LLC within 24 hours, then submit SS-4 immediately after.
- Complete Form SS-4 with your LLC name, Wyoming registered agent address, responsible party (you), and the correct entity type checkbox (LLC, single-member or multi-member).
- Sign as the responsible party. Non-US persons sign in their own name without SSN.
- Fax to the IRS international EIN unit. The fax number is 855-641-6935 for most cases (it changes occasionally; WyomingLLC tracks the current number).
- Wait 8 to 10 business days. The IRS faxes back your CP575 EIN letter.
- Save the CP575 permanently. You will need it for banking, Amazon, Stripe, and every IRS filing for the lifetime of your LLC.
Form SS-4: field-by-field for non-residents
| Field | What to enter | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 (Legal name) | Exact LLC name from Articles of Organization | Using DBA or trade name |
| Line 2 (Trade name) | DBA only if you have one | Leaving blank when you do have a DBA |
| Line 3 (Executor / care of) | Leave blank | Filling in own name |
| Line 4a/b (Mailing address) | Wyoming registered agent address | Home country address (IRS prefers US address) |
| Line 5a/b (Physical address) | Same as mailing or your country | Inconsistent across fields |
| Line 6 (County and state) | Laramie County, Wyoming (or your RA county) | Wrong county |
| Line 7a (Responsible party) | Your full legal name as on passport | Initials or nickname |
| Line 7b (SSN/ITIN/EIN) | Leave BLANK, write FOREIGN, with country code | Writing '0000-00-0000' or 'N/A' (auto-rejects) |
| Line 8a (LLC?) | Yes | Missing this checkbox |
| Line 8b (Members) | 1 (single-member) or actual count | Wrong count for multi-member |
| Line 8c (State of organization) | Wyoming | Leaving blank |
| Line 9a (Type of entity) | Other - check, write 'Disregarded entity' or 'Foreign-owned single-member LLC' | Picking C-Corp (different tax treatment) |
| Line 10 (Reason for applying) | Started a new business | Banking purposes (technically allowed but slower) |
| Line 11 (Date business started) | Wyoming SoS formation date | Today's date |
| Line 12 (Closing month of accounting year) | December (calendar year default) | Picking off-calendar year without reason |
| Line 13 (Highest number of employees) | 0 (most non-residents) | Inflating expectations |
| Line 14 (Employment tax) | Leave blank if no US employees | Checking when not applicable |
| Line 16 (Principal activity) | Brief description of business | Vague or generic terms |
| Line 17 (Principal line of merchandise) | Brief specific product/service description | Repeating Line 16 |
| Line 18 (Has the applicant ever applied for an EIN?) | No (for new LLC) | Yes when actually new |
Common rejection reasons and how to avoid them
- SSN field filled with "0000-00-0000" or "N/A". Auto-rejects. Leave blank or write FOREIGN with country code specified.
- LLC name on SS-4 does not match Articles of Organization exactly. Even "LLC" vs "L.L.C." matters. Use the exact spelling from your filing receipt.
- Wrong IRS fax number. The IRS occasionally changes it. WyomingLLC tracks the current number.
- Missing signature. Sign in your own name as "Responsible Party" or "Sole Member".
- Form SS-4 dated before LLC formation. Cannot file SS-4 before the LLC exists. We sequence the filings correctly.
- Wrong entity type checked. Pick LLC, not Corporation or Partnership.
- Reason for applying inconsistent. Pick "Started a new business" not "Banking purposes" (the latter triggers extra review).
- Vague principal activity. "Online business" is too vague. "Shopify-based e-commerce selling yoga mats" is specific.
- Fax cut off. Use a clean fax service. WyomingLLC uses HelloFax with confirmation receipt.
What you get back: the CP575 letter
The CP575 is a one-page letter from the IRS confirming your EIN. It shows:
- Your 9-digit EIN (format: XX-XXXXXXX)
- LLC legal name and address
- Date the EIN was assigned
- Forms you are required to file (usually 5472 + 1120 for foreign-owned single-member LLCs)
- IRS contact information for inquiries
Save the CP575 as PDF and back it up in multiple places (cloud storage, local drive, encrypted backup). The IRS does not reissue the CP575; if you lose it, you can request a 147C confirmation letter from the IRS, which takes 2 to 4 weeks. Mercury, Relay, Wise, Stripe, and Amazon Seller Central all request the CP575 during onboarding.
Telephone EIN: why we do not rely on it
The IRS has a phone line (267-941-1099, international EIN unit) where foreign responsible parties can sometimes obtain an EIN over a 30 to 90 minute call. It is not officially documented for non-residents and the line is often busy, the operators are not always trained on foreign entity rules, and there is no paper trail confirming the assignment until the CP575 arrives weeks later. Fax is more reliable, more predictable (8 to 10 business days), and produces a paper trail.WyomingLLC uses fax by default for every customer.
What to do with your EIN once you have it
- Apply to Mercury, Relay, or Wise Business. The CP575 is required at application.
- Open Stripe US. Stripe asks for the EIN during onboarding.
- Apply to Amazon Seller Central using LLC + EIN as the seller of record.
- File Form W-8BEN-E with US payers. The EIN is the tax ID used on the form to claim treaty rates.
- Provide EIN to vendors and customers who need it for 1099 filings or other US tax forms.
- Calendar Form 5472 + pro forma 1120. Due April 15 (or October 15 with Form 7004 extension).
- Keep CP575 backed up. Multiple locations, encrypted, accessible.
If the IRS does not respond in 10 days
- Confirm the fax went through. WyomingLLC uses HelloFax which provides delivery confirmation.
- Wait 14 business days total before resubmitting. The IRS sometimes batches international applications.
- If still no response after 14 business days, refax. The IRS occasionally loses fax submissions. Resubmission is standard.
- If still no response after a second attempt, call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 to inquire status. (US callers; international callers use 267-941-1099.)
- WyomingLLC handles all of the above for customers. You do not need to call the IRS yourself.
EIN vs ITIN: which do you need?
| EIN | ITIN | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is it for? | The LLC | You personally |
| Required for banking? | Yes | No |
| Required for Stripe? | Yes | No |
| Required for Amazon Seller Central? | Yes | No |
| Required for PayPal personal verification? | No | Yes (in some cases) |
| Required for US personal tax filing (1040-NR)? | No | Yes |
| How obtained? | Form SS-4 by fax | Form W-7 with passport or notarized ID |
| Timeline | 8 to 10 business days | 8 to 12 weeks |
| Cost via WyomingLLC | Included in $297 | $297 add-on |
| Most non-resident LLC owners need this | Yes | No |