If you are building a US business from outside the US, three acronyms will chase you through every form, bank application, and seller dashboard: EIN, ITIN, and SSN. The whole EIN vs ITIN vs SSN question comes down to one distinction: does the number identify a company or a person? Get that straight and the rest of the alphabet soup sorts itself out.
Here is the one-line version. An EIN (Employer Identification Number) identifies a business. An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) identifies a person who is not eligible for a Social Security Number. An SSN identifies a US citizen, permanent resident, or someone with US work authorization.
Most non-resident founders need an EIN early, an ITIN eventually or never, and an SSN not at all. This guide walks through what each number does, how to get an EIN with no SSN, and the moment an ITIN actually becomes necessary.
What each number actually identifies
An EIN is a nine-digit number the IRS issues to a business entity. It belongs to your company, not to you. Your LLC uses it to open bank accounts, register on marketplaces, hire employees, and file its US tax paperwork.
An ITIN is a nine-digit number the IRS issues to an individual who needs to appear on a US federal tax filing but is not eligible for an SSN. It exists purely for tax administration. It does not grant work rights, immigration status, or Social Security benefits.
An SSN is issued by the Social Security Administration, not the IRS, and only to US citizens, permanent residents, and people with US work authorization. If you live outside the US and are not in one of those categories, you cannot get one. The good news: for owning and running a US company, you do not need one.
EIN: the number your company cannot live without
In practice, every US LLC needs an EIN, and a foreign-owned one needs it fast. Banks and fintechs ask for it. Amazon and payment processors ask for it. And a single-member foreign-owned LLC must file Form 5472 attached to a pro-forma Form 1120 every year, which requires the LLC to have an EIN. The penalty for missing that filing is $25,000, so this is not optional paperwork.
The order of operations matters: form the company first, then apply for the EIN, because the IRS wants your legal entity name and formation details on the application. Brio forms your LLC for $1 plus the state fee, typically in 3 to 7 business days, and then handles the EIN application for you.
How non-residents get an EIN without an SSN
This is the myth that stops the most founders, so let’s kill it: you do not need an SSN, or an ITIN, to get an EIN. The IRS’s online EIN tool does require one, which is where the confusion comes from. Non-residents simply use the older route: Form SS-4, filed by fax or by phone.
On the SS-4, where the form asks for the responsible party’s SSN or ITIN, a foreign owner without either writes “Foreign” and the IRS processes it anyway. By fax, non-residents typically wait 2 to 4 weeks for the EIN letter. By phone, you call the IRS international applicants line during US business hours and can sometimes get the number on the call itself, though reaching an agent takes patience.
Brio files the SS-4 for you and typically has the EIN back in about 10 days, with no SSN, no ITIN, and no trip to a fax machine on your side.
ITIN: necessary later than you think
Founders often assume the ITIN is step one. It usually is not. You do not need an ITIN to form an LLC, to get an EIN, or in most cases to open a business bank account. An ITIN becomes necessary when you personally must appear on a US federal tax filing. The common triggers:
- You file a personal US return, Form 1040-NR, typically because your LLC earned US-source income effectively connected to a US trade or business.
- You claim tax treaty benefits that require a US taxpayer identification number, for example to reduce withholding on certain US royalties or platform payouts.
- A platform, broker, or credit product asks for a personal US tax ID that an EIN cannot satisfy, since the EIN identifies the company, not you.
The application is Form W-7, and processing typically takes 7 to 14 weeks, so start as soon as a real trigger appears. The classic pain point is that the IRS wants your passport, either mailed to Texas or verified in person. Brio is an IRS Certified Acceptance Agent, which means we verify your passport remotely and you never mail it anywhere. We cover the details in how to get an ITIN without sending your passport.
SSN: the number you can skip
The SSN gets outsized attention because US-centric guides assume every founder has one. If you are a non-resident without US work authorization, you are not eligible for an SSN, and nothing about forming or running a US LLC requires it. States do not ask for one at formation, the IRS does not require one for an EIN, and Mercury and Wise do not require one for a business account.
One caution in the other direction: an ITIN is not an SSN substitute for anything beyond taxes. It will not authorize employment in the US, and it does not change your immigration status in any way.
Decision table: which numbers you actually need
| Your situation | EIN | ITIN | SSN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form a US LLC from abroad | Yes, right after formation | No | No |
| Open a US business account with Mercury or Wise | Yes | Usually no | No |
| Sell on Amazon through your US LLC | Yes | No | No |
| File Form 5472 with the pro-forma 1120 | Yes, the LLC’s EIN | No | No |
| File a personal 1040-NR return | No, that is the company’s number | Yes | Only if you are eligible for one |
| Claim treaty benefits as an individual | No | Usually yes | Only if eligible |
Two patterns jump out. The EIN column is almost all yes, which is why it comes first. The SSN column is almost all no, which is why “you need an SSN to do business in the US” belongs in the myth pile.
Common myths, corrected
“You need an SSN to open a US company.” False. No state asks for an SSN to form an LLC, and non-residents form US companies every day without one.
“You need an ITIN before you can get an EIN.” Backwards. The EIN comes first, via Form SS-4 by fax or phone, with no personal tax ID required. Many founders never end up needing an ITIN at all.
“No SSN means no US bank account.” Outdated. Mercury and Wise open accounts remotely for non-resident-owned US LLCs, though Mercury excludes founders from some countries. Traditional banks like Chase or Bank of America usually do want an in-person branch visit. See our guide to opening a US business bank account from abroad.
“Amazon requires an SSN.” No. Amazon’s seller onboarding asks for business information, ID, a bank statement, and a video verification call. A US LLC with an EIN typically makes the process smoother, but individual foreign sellers can register too.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN?
Yes. File Form SS-4 by fax or phone and write “Foreign” where the form asks for the responsible party’s SSN. Fax processing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks for non-residents; Brio usually has the EIN back in about 10 days.
Do I need an ITIN to start a US LLC?
No. You can form the LLC, get the EIN, and open a Mercury or Wise account without one. An ITIN only becomes necessary when you personally appear on a US tax filing, such as a 1040-NR, or when you claim treaty benefits that require a personal tax ID.
How long does an ITIN take?
Typically 7 to 14 weeks from the IRS once your Form W-7 is filed, so apply as soon as a genuine need appears. Working with a Certified Acceptance Agent like Brio means your passport is verified remotely instead of being mailed to the IRS.
Is an ITIN the same as an SSN?
No. Both are personal nine-digit numbers, but an ITIN exists only for federal tax purposes. It does not authorize you to work in the US, does not affect immigration status, and does not earn Social Security benefits.
Which number goes on my LLC’s tax forms?
Company filings like Form 5472 with the pro-forma 1120 use the LLC’s EIN. Personal filings like the 1040-NR use your ITIN. If you are not sure which returns apply to your setup, book a free tax consultation and get an answer for your specific situation.
