Get Your Own EIN: A Step-by-Step Guide to Filling in Form SS-4

This article is for people who want to fill in and submit Form SS-4 themselves instead of paying for a done-for-you service. If you only need the big picture of what an EIN is and when you need one, read "EIN for Non-US Residents" first — this article goes deeper into each line.

What to prepare before you start

• The Certificate/Articles of Organization issued by the state — the LLC name on the SS-4 must match it exactly.
• The LLC formation date as shown in the state record.
• A US mailing address (your Registered Agent's or a virtual address).
• The full name of the responsible party — usually the LLC's owner.
• A short description of the main business activity (for example online retail, software services).

Where to download Form SS-4

Download the latest version directly from irs.gov (search "Form SS-4"), together with the accompanying "Instructions for Form SS-4" — the IRS occasionally updates the form and instructions, so don't reuse a file downloaded years ago.

Filling in the key lines

1. Line 1 — Legal name: write the LLC name exactly as on the Certificate/Articles of Organization, including capitalization and punctuation.
2. Line 2 — Trade name (if any): leave blank unless you use a different trading name (DBA).
3. Line 3 — Executor, administrator or trustee name (if any): usually blank unless you use a service that receives IRS mail for you.
4. Lines 4a–4b — Mailing address: use a US address (Registered Agent or virtual address), because the EIN confirmation (CP 575) will be mailed there.
5. Lines 7a–7b — Name and SSN/ITIN of the responsible party: if you have no SSN/ITIN, follow the IRS's current instructions for foreign applicants — this is the line where the IRS most often changes the handling, so read the latest "Instructions for Form SS-4" before filling it in.
6. Line 8a — Is this entity an LLC: select Yes.
7. Line 8b — Number of LLC members.
8. Line 8c — Was the LLC organized in the United States: select Yes.
9. Line 9a — Type of entity: a single-member LLC usually selects disregarded entity; a multi-member LLC usually selects partnership — choose according to the instructions for your number of members.
10. Line 10 — Reason for applying: choose "Started new business" and briefly state the type of business.
11. Line 18 — Has this entity applied for an EIN before: select No unless you actually have.

How to submit without an SSN/ITIN

Because you can't apply online, you have three options: fax to the international number the IRS publishes for applicants outside the US (usually the fastest of the three), phone the IRS international line during the hours published on irs.gov, or send it by post (the slowest, so the last resort). Always take the current fax number, phone number and address directly from irs.gov at the time you apply, because these channels can change.

After you submit

If you faxed the form, the IRS usually faxes your EIN back within a few business days provided you included a fax number for the reply. The official confirmation letter (CP 575) is then mailed to the address on lines 4a–4b. Keep the original safe and scan several copies — banks and payment platforms will ask to see it.

Mistakes that get SS-4 returned

• The LLC name on the SS-4 doesn't exactly match the state record — the most common reason for a returned application.
• Line 9a (entity type) doesn't match the actual number of members.
• Listing the Registered Agent as the responsible party instead of the LLC's real owner.
• A missing signature or a blank required line.

This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change by state and over time — check the official state/IRS pages and consult a professional before you decide.