What Is an EIN?

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a nine-digit tax ID the IRS issues to a US business, like a Social Security number for your company. It identifies your LLC or corporation for federal taxes, payroll, and banking. Any non-resident can get one with no SSN required.

How an EIN works

The IRS assigns your EIN once, and it stays with the entity for life. You apply on Form SS-4, and US-based applicants can receive the number instantly online.

Founders without an SSN apply by fax or phone instead of the online tool. On line 7b of the SS-4, the IRS instruction is to enter "Foreign" (or "N/A"); in practice some filers leave it blank and the EIN still issues. Fax applications to 855-215-1627 (US) or 304-707-9471 (outside the US) take roughly four business days, and the international phone line is 267-941-1099.

Why it matters for a global or India-based founder

An EIN is required to open a US business bank account, and applications without one are rejected.

It is also how the IRS tracks your filings, including the Form 5472 + pro forma 1120 that a foreign-owned single-member LLC must file every year, even with zero activity. Getting the EIN right is the first compliance step that unlocks banking, USD and USDC payments, and a clean paper trail. See how to get an EIN without an SSN and the Form 5472 filing rules.

Where it fits with StableCorp

StableCorp handles the full path: formation, EIN, US bank account, then USD and USDC/USDT payments on compliant rails. We file your SS-4 so you never touch the IRS fax line, and you can receive USDC from US clients and off-ramp to INR through proper RBI purpose codes, not the grey-area direct-wallet route. See pricing or how to receive USDC payments from US clients.

This is general information, not tax or legal advice.

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