Does an EIN cost anything?

The IRS issues EINs for free. SingleFax charges separately for its fax and assistance services.

Can I get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN?

Use Form SS-4 by fax or mail. On line 7b, enter “foreign” or N/A if the responsible party has no SSN or ITIN and is ineligible to obtain one. The responsible party must be an individual unless the applicant is a government entity.

How long does an EIN take?

Online EINs are issued immediately to eligible applicants. Fax applications generally receive an EIN within 4 business days. Mail takes approximately 4 weeks; send at least 4 to 5 weeks before it is needed.

Which IRS fax number should I use?

For the 50 states and DC, use 855-641-6935. With no U.S. state or DC presence, use 855-215-1627 when faxing from within the U.S., or 304-707-9471 from outside the U.S. Numbers may change without notice; check the IRS instructions before sending.

What wording applies to a foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity?

For a foreign-owned single-member LLC filing Form 5472, line 9a Other reads “Foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity-Form 5472” and line 10 Other reads “Foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity filing Form 5472”.

Can I apply using several methods?

Use one method only per entity to avoid multiple EINs. The IRS limits issuance to one EIN per responsible party per day across all methods.

Where do I check the status?

The IRS lists 800-829-4933 for status inquiries.

Your business. Your next step.

Get your EIN.
Get going.

Make sense of the IRS application. Prepare a guided SS-4, then fax it to the IRS via SingleFax.

Get your EIN with SingleFax

The EIN is free from the IRS. SingleFax services are paid separately.

Explore the browser-only SS-4 helper

The application

Form SS-4

Application for Employer Identification Number

Your business

Responsible party

Application details

Prepare → review → fax

A guided start, with official IRS sources along the way.

View the official IRS form ↗

Choose your route

How to get an EIN.

Apply online, by fax, by mail, or by phone if you are an international applicant. Choose one method for each entity.

Online

Immediately

For entities in the U.S. or U.S. territories whose responsible party has an SSN or ITIN. Finish in one session; the application expires after 15 minutes of inactivity.

Eastern time: Mon–Fri 6:00 a.m.–1:00 a.m. the next day; Sat 6:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; Sun 6:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m.

Fax

SS-4 route

Generally 4 business days

Complete Form SS-4 and fax it to the IRS. Include your fax number so the IRS can fax the EIN back.

Fax-TIN is available 24/7. Choose the destination that matches your location; numbers may change without notice.

Mail

Approximately 4 weeks

Send the application at least 4 to 5 weeks before you need the EIN.

Domestic: Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999. International: Attn: EIN International Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999.

Phone

International applicants only

Call 267-941-1099 (not toll-free), Mon–Fri, 6 a.m.–11 p.m. Eastern time.

The IRS no longer issues EINs by phone to domestic taxpayers. Contact the IRS for application timing.

Timelines describe IRS processing, not a delivery or approval guarantee. Check the IRS EIN guidance ↗

Prepare with SingleFax

Foreign owners / no SSN

An SSN is not always the starting point.

If the responsible party has no SSN or ITIN and is ineligible to obtain one, enter “foreign” or N/A on line 7b. The responsible party must be an individual unless the applicant is a government entity.

Foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity

For a foreign-owned single-member LLC filing Form 5472, use this SS-4 wording:

Line 9a · Other: Foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity-Form 5472
Line 10 · Other: Foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity filing Form 5472

Fax to the correct IRS destination

50 states / DC: 855-641-6935.
No U.S. state / DC presence: 855-215-1627 from within the U.S., or 304-707-9471 from outside the U.S.
Include your fax number for the IRS reply. Numbers may change without notice.

Read the IRS SS-4 instructions before applying ↗

Start your SS-4 with SingleFax

Before you apply

Common mistakes. Avoidable delays.

Applying before forming the entity

Form the LLC or corporation with the secretary of state first. Otherwise the application may be delayed.

Submitting the same application twice

Choose one method per entity. There is a limit of one EIN per responsible party per day, across all methods.

Missing the return fax number

Include your fax number so the IRS can fax your EIN back. Check the destination against the current IRS instructions.

Using the wrong LLC wording

A disregarded single-member LLC uses line 9a Other “disregarded entity”. A multi-member LLC defaults to partnership. Foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entities filing Form 5472 use the specific Form 5472 wording.

Overlooking authorization or later changes

Third-party designee authorization requires a signature. Report responsible-party changes on Form 8822-B within 60 days.

Source: IRS instructions for Form SS-4 ↗

A little clarity

EIN questions, answered.

IRS guidance as of October 25, 2026. EIN guidance · SS-4 instructions

Your next chapter starts here.

Get help preparing your SS-4 and fax it to the IRS through SingleFax.