All businesses operating in the United States must fulfill IRS tax obligations, which usually means filling out an EIN number application. Here are some circumstances when an employer identification number (EIN) is required:
• You have a partnership
• You establish a corporation
• You want to import goods into the country
• Your business has employees
Even if your company, partnership, corporation or LLC was established outside the U.S., you still need an EIN to do business there. This also applies to U.S. citizens and residents who live outside the United States but operate a company within its borders.
If you have a SSN or ITIN, you can apply for EIN using the IRS online tax ID application or a trustworthy third-party site. If you don’t have either of these identification numbers, you will need to follow these steps instead:
1. Obtain a U.S. mailing address. This must be an actual street address, not a P.O. box.
2. Download a copy of the SS-4 form from the IRS website.
3. Use the form to gather your information, but do not mail it.
4. Appoint a trusted third-party designee if you want to receive your EIN by email
5. Call the IRS at (267) 941-1099 and apply for an international EIN.
6. By the end of the call – which lasts about an hour – you should have your EIN.
In additional to being a legal requirement in most cases, a different business EIN number provides international and U.S.-based businesses great benefits:
• Easier business management
• The ability to import goods
• Effective limited liability for LLCs
• The ability to open a U.S. business bank account
• Access to online marketplaces based in the U.S.
Help your business grow within the U.S. by taking advantage of all available channels, including online transactions. You don’t have to live physically within the U.S. to operate a productive business there. With virtual office services, you can establish a U.S. street address, take care of mailing and even provide excellent support with a live receptionist.