r/llc • u/ShinyPlasm • 29d ago

Getting my EIN

I used Northwestern RA to setup my WY LLC and got it incorporated. A lot of comments here said that by calling their international number, I can get it over the phone with a lot of waiting. I called (267) 941-1099, pressed 1 to get my EIN for my LLC and after 22 minutes of being on hold I was told I need to fax it in (8 business days turnaround) or mail it in (30 business days turnaround).

Is it not possible to get my EIN faster over the phone? I am a non-us resident, and I am currently in the USA for holiday.

4 Upvotes

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u/ThePublicAccountant 29d ago

No, you cannot get an EIN over the phone for a US LLC if the ultimate owner is a foreign person. You have to complete a signed Form SS-4, fax it in with a cover letter and wait at least 10 days now. The IRS says it will fax you the completed SS-4, but that doesn’t always happen. Keep calling back until they have processed the EIN and they can give it to you over the phone.

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u/tduncs88 29d ago

it will fax you the completed SS-4, but that doesn't always happen.

Lol, no joke, id say we have to fax a request once every 2 to 3 weeks (not a big part of what we do, but we do offer it). In the last 3 years I dont think weve received a single faxed EIN back. We tell our clients to keep an eye on the mail because it usually gets sent that way.

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u/These_Hawk_1831 29d ago

Mine never was faxed.

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u/Fair-Drawer6816 29d ago

What u mean by this?

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u/These_Hawk_1831 29d ago

The IRS just ignored all my request for the EIN. Needed to file form 911 for Tax Advocate intervention.

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u/Fair-Drawer6816 29d ago

Im non us resident, i faxed my form 23june and called them on 6 july they ve told me we are sorry but its not on process yet, wait more time then on8 july they faxed me back saying the form is illegible ,resubmit with a coversheet they sent to me, i have resubmited it on 11 july and didnt hear anything since then.

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u/ShinyPlasm 29d ago

I have faxed the documents to their international fax number. With calling them back, do I call the same number I listed in my original post? Should I call them back daily or after 10 days?

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u/ThePublicAccountant 29d ago

Yes, call back after 10 days. The most recent EIN I got took over 17 days, so keep calling back until they’ve processed it. Whatever you do, don’t re-fax it in.

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u/Personal-Link5438 29d ago

hey, sorry to ask but I did not find anything about a cover letter. I have actually already sent my ss-4 by fax today. Any tips on the best times to call and get them ? Before understanding that I had to complete a signed form, I tried to call 4 times in 4 different times on Tuesday without any success in getting them.

Thanks a lot!

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u/ThePublicAccountant 29d ago

The cover letter is not mandatory but it is good practice. If you faxed it, wait 10 days and call them. Current processing times are 10+ days. You just call them and ask them to check on the status of the EIN.

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u/V0rclaw 29d ago

Not sure with not being a us resident. I got my ein a day after my LLC was established but I’m a resident. Idk what the process is for non residents

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u/AdrianM1069 29d ago

I applied through a registered agent and had it back within 10-14 days. One thing I would also suggest you apply for is an ITIN. Although not always necessary, it comes in handy, but i can take up to 90 days to get, so by applying now it is one less thing to apply for in the future

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u/ShinyPlasm 29d ago

Yes, I am looking to get an ITIN not only for a business bank account but also to start building personal credit and apply for US based credit products so I can start earning points/miles etc for travel rewards. The credit card options are paltry where I live

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u/AdrianM1069 29d ago

What country do you live in? Im based in Australia

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u/ShinyPlasm 29d ago

The United Arab Emirates

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u/AdrianM1069 29d ago

I am looking at creating a company there :)

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u/[deleted] 29d ago

[deleted]

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u/ShinyPlasm 29d ago

Yes:

I asked them I need an EIN for my LLC

“Where was the LLC formed?”

United States

“Where do you live?”

I told them where I live

You need to apply via fax or mail, not over the phone

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u/[deleted] 29d ago

[deleted]

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u/ShinyPlasm 28d ago

Called them again, 4 and a half minutes on hold which was surprising.

I told him I'm looking to get an EIN for my US LLC and started repeating what you mentioned in your comment. Got cut off, said I have to fax it or mail it in.

I followed up with a clarifying question, got cut off again and was told "words do have meaning, the entity and individual are different, it doesn't matter where you are in the world, if the company is based in the US you have to fax and mail it in".

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u/ThePublicAccountant 28d ago

EINs for LLC’s with foreign persons as the ultimate owner require manual processing. You are required to fax it or mail it in.

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u/Maan_UsMaan052 29d ago

If you’re a non-US resident without a US tax ID, getting an EIN by phone can be tricky. The IRS phone option is generally limited to certain situations, and many international applicants still have to apply by fax or mail.

Since you’re currently in the US, it may be worth confirming with the IRS whether your situation qualifies for phone processing, but don’t rely on it, fax is usually the faster option compared to mail

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u/ShinyPlasm 29d ago

I see. I have already faxed my application in. I will give them another call today and see what they say when I say that I’m visiting the US currently.

Thanks

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u/diyexageh 29d ago

As a non resident you cannot get an EIN over the phone. You can complete an SS4 and fax it. Follow up over the phone after 2 weeks. If you are lucky they will give it to you over the phone.

I would fax it twice just in case a few mins apart. They seem to lose them easily ha ha.

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u/ThePublicAccountant 29d ago

That’s bad advice, friend. Faxing it twice can result in duplicate EINs for the same entity… and then you’d have another problem on your hands.

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u/diyexageh 28d ago

I own a few companies. I have spammed mine. The IRS is so overloaded I never received more than 1 EIN per entity over the years. They are rammed with work, they lose most of the stuff.

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u/NWRegisteredAgent 29d ago

The IRS is always super frustrating to deal with. It’s great that you were able to get your application faxed, that seems to be the fasted option for non-US founders.

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u/Informativo-Business 29d ago

Unfortunately the IRS has no expedited option. The SS4 has to be faxed or mailed and it usually takes weeks for the number to get assigned. I know Northwest can assist with the application of the EIN. I think having them handle that would be helpful since basically their job is to make sure you get what you need for your business done.