ITIN vs EIN: What You Actually Need for Your US LLC

EIN is for your LLC. ITIN is for you personally, and only sometimes.

EIN in plain English

EIN stands for Employer Identification Number. It is a nine digit number the IRS assigns to a business. Think of it as the social security number of your LLC.

You need an EIN to:

• Open a US business bank account (Mercury, Relay, Wise Business)
• Apply to Stripe, PayPal, Shopify Payments
• Hire US contractors and issue 1099s
• File Form 5472 and Form 1120 every April

EIN is free. Anyone "guaranteeing an EIN in 24 hours" for $300 is faxing Form SS-4 on your behalf.

ITIN in plain English

ITIN is for non-residents who have a US tax filing obligation but cannot get a Social Security Number.

You need an ITIN if:

• You earn US-source income personally (royalties, US real estate rent)
• You are a partner in a US partnership filing Form 1040-NR
• You want to claim treaty benefits to reduce US withholding from 30%

You probably do NOT need an ITIN if:

• You own a single-member LLC with no US employees or office
• All your revenue comes from clients outside the US
• Your bank accepts EIN-only KYC (Mercury, Wise, Relay all do)

The misconception that costs people money

Founders think they need an ITIN to open a bank or apply to Stripe. They do not. Mercury, Wise, Relay, Stripe and PayPal accept your EIN plus your passport.

When ITIN actually pays for itself

If you sell on Amazon FBA or earn YouTube AdSense from US viewers. Both withhold 30% by default. Submit Form W-8BEN with your ITIN to claim treaty rate. Brazil drops to 0% on royalties. Mexico to 10%. India to 15%.

How to apply

EIN (non-resident): Form SS-4. Line 7b: "N/A — Foreign". Fax to +1-855-215-1627. Wait 4-8 weeks for CP 575. Our Pro plan does this for you.

ITIN: Form W-7. Attach passport and a tax return or treaty claim. Mail to IRS Austin. Wait 9-14 weeks. Or use a Certifying Acceptance Agent in your country.

Quick decision tree

• Single-member LLC, clients outside US, want Mercury and Stripe → EIN yes, ITIN no.
• Sell on Amazon FBA / earn YouTube US ad revenue → EIN yes, ITIN yes.
• Partner in a multi-member LLC → EIN for LLC, ITIN for each partner.
• Buying US real estate → EIN yes, ITIN yes (FIRPTA).

Get started with LLCora

Pro covers your EIN, no ITIN, no nonsense. If you need an ITIN, Premium ($499) includes ITIN application support via Certifying Acceptance Agent so you keep your passport. See pricing.