How to Get a US EIN: Step-by-Step Guide for French Entrepreneurs and Expats (Without SSN)

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) — also called a Federal Tax Identification Number (FEIN) — is the IRS identifier for business entities. It is a 9-digit number in the format XX-XXXXXXX. Despite the name, you do not need employees to need an EIN: it is required for any U.S. LLC, corporation, partnership, or trust for tax filing, banking, and most business compliance purposes.

For French entrepreneurs, international investors, and foreign companies with U.S. operations, an EIN is frequently the first operational step after forming a U.S. entity.

Key Use Case: U.S. LLC Formation#

The most common reason French entrepreneurs obtain an EIN is forming a U.S. Limited Liability Company (LLC) — typically in Delaware, Wyoming, or Florida. Once the state formation is complete, the EIN is the prerequisite for:

• Opening a U.S. business bank account (Mercury, Relay, Brex, or traditional banks)
• Accepting U.S. payments via Stripe, ACH, or Wire
• Filing Form 5472 (mandatory for foreign-owned single-member LLCs since 2017)
• Filing the annual partnership return (Form 1065) for multi-member LLCs

Key Use Case: Form 5472 Compliance#

Since 2017, foreign-owned single-member U.S. LLCs must file Form 5472 annually — even with zero U.S. taxable income. The EIN is required to file Form 5472. The penalty for non-filing: a minimum $25,000 per form. This is one of the most frequently overlooked U.S. compliance requirements for French LLC owners.

A French founder creating a U.S. LLC needs an EIN for the entity — but may also separately need an ITIN for their own personal U.S. tax obligations (e.g., Schedule K-1 from the LLC). A foreign entrepreneur can get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN.

Method 1: Online Application — SSN or ITIN Required#

The IRS online EIN tool delivers an EIN instantly. However, the Responsible Party must have a U.S. SSN or ITIN. Without one, the online application is blocked. This method is generally unavailable to first-time French applicants.

Method 2: IRS International Phone Line — Recommended for Non-Residents#

Phone: +1 (267) 941-1099 (IRS International EIN line) Hours: Monday–Friday, 6:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Eastern Time Requirement: Form SS-4 must be fully completed before calling Result: EIN assigned verbally on the call + Notice CP575 mailed in 4–6 weeks

Practical tips:

• Call early morning Eastern Time (noon–1pm Paris time) to minimize hold time
• Confirm you are applying for "a domestic U.S. entity with a foreign Responsible Party"
• Write down the EIN immediately — the CP575 confirmation comes weeks later
• Typical call duration: 20 minutes to 90 minutes including hold

Method 3: Fax Submission#

Fax completed Form SS-4 to +1 (304) 707-9471 (international) or +1 (855) 215-1627 (U.S. address entities).

Processing time: approximately 4 business days. Follow up by phone if not received within 7 days.

Method 4: Mail Submission#

Mail to: Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999, USA

Processing time: 4–6 weeks. Not recommended unless there is no time pressure.

Line 1 — Legal name: Exactly as registered in the state of formation (e.g., "Dupont Consulting LLC").

Line 4 — Mailing address: Your French personal or business address. All IRS correspondence goes here.

Line 7a — Responsible Party name: The individual who owns or controls the entity. For a sole French owner, this is you personally.

Line 7b — SSN/ITIN/EIN: If you have an ITIN, enter it. If not, write "N/A" and note your foreign status. The IRS processes the EIN by phone or fax regardless.

Line 8a — Type of entity: LLC / Corporation / Partnership, plus state of formation and number of members.

Line 9a — Reason for applying: "Started new business," "Banking purposes," or "Compliance with IRS withholding regulations."

Line 10 — Date business started: The date the state articles of organization were filed.

Line 16 — Principal activity: Brief description (e.g., "Software development," "E-commerce retail," "Real estate investment").

A foreign-owned single-member U.S. LLC is a disregarded entity for federal tax. Since 2017, these entities must:

1. Obtain an EIN for the LLC itself
2. File Form 5472 annually (even with zero income transactions)
3. Attach a pro-forma Form 1120 as a skeleton corporate return

Penalty for missing Form 5472: $25,000 minimum per form. Every French-owned single-member LLC must file this, starting from Year 1.

Case Study 1: French Developer — Delaware LLC for USD Billing#

Situation: Thomas (Paris), a freelance developer, wants to invoice U.S. tech clients in USD via a U.S. entity.

1. Single-member Delaware LLC formed via registered agent (~$150/year)
2. Form SS-4 completed; IRS international phone call — EIN received in 45 minutes
3. Mercury Bank account opened online using EIN
4. Stripe integrated for USD client payments
5. Annual Form 5472 filed — no U.S. income tax (disregarded entity; income declared in France)

Case Study 2: French Investment Group — Multi-Member Wyoming LLC#

Situation: Three French co-investors want to acquire U.S. commercial real estate via a LLC.

1. Multi-member Wyoming LLC formed (low maintenance, strong privacy)
2. EIN obtained via fax
3. Annual Form 1065 (partnership return) + Schedule K-1 for each French member
4. Each French member needs a personal ITIN to file their Form 1040-NR on the K-1 income

1. Trying to apply online without an SSN or ITIN: The portal blocks you. Use the phone or fax route.

2. Not having Form SS-4 ready before calling: The IRS agent asks for specific fields. Unprepared callers waste hold time.

3. Failing to write down the EIN during the call: The number is given verbally. The CP575 arrives weeks later. Write it down immediately.

4. Confusing the entity EIN with a personal ITIN: The EIN belongs to the LLC; the ITIN is yours personally. Used on different IRS forms.

5. Ignoring Form 5472 for a foreign-owned LLC: The $25,000 automatic penalty surprises many first-time owners. File from Year 1.