How to Get an EIN as a UK Founder Without an SSN (2026 Guide)

Q: How long does it take to receive an EIN by fax?

The IRS typically returns your EIN by fax within 4-5 business days. During peak periods (January-April tax season), it may take up to 7-10 business days. If you have not received a response after 10 business days, you can call the IRS at +1-267-941-1099 to follow up.

Q: Do I need an ITIN in addition to an EIN?

An ITIN is a personal tax ID for you as an individual, while an EIN identifies your company. Initially, you only need the EIN. However, you may eventually need an ITIN if you receive US-source income personally or if you need to file a personal US tax return.

$0

IRS Filing Fee

4-5

Business Days (Fax)

SS-4

IRS Form Required

No SSN

Required for Fax/Phone

What Is an EIN and Why You Need One

Understanding the Employer Identification Number

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An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit number (formatted as XX-XXXXXXX) assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify your business for tax purposes. Think of it as a National Insurance number for your company — except it is issued by the US federal government and is required for virtually every business activity in the United States.

As a UK founder incorporating a Delaware C-Corp, your EIN is the single most important number you will obtain after your Certificate of Incorporation. Without it, you cannot open a bank account, hire contractors, process payments, or file taxes.

You Need an EIN To...

Open a US business bank account
File federal and state tax returns
Hire employees or pay contractors (W-9/1099)
Apply for payment processors (Stripe, PayPal)
Register with state tax authorities
Open a Stripe or Braintree merchant account

Key Facts for UK Founders

EIN is free — the IRS charges nothing
You do NOT need an SSN or ITIN to apply
You can apply from the UK — no US presence needed
One EIN per entity (not per person)
EIN does not expire — it lasts forever
Not the same as a UK UTR or VAT number

Do not pay a third-party service to obtain your EIN. The IRS provides EINs completely free. Services charging $50-$200+ are simply filling out the same SS-4 form you can complete yourself.

Three Methods to Get an EIN Without an SSN

1

Fax Method Recommended

The fax method is the most reliable way for UK founders without an SSN or ITIN to obtain an EIN. You fill out IRS Form SS-4, fax it to the IRS, and receive your EIN by return fax within 4-5 business days.

How It Works

Download Form SS-4 from IRS.gov
Complete all fields (see walkthrough below)
Leave Line 7b (SSN/ITIN) blank
Sign and date the form
Fax to: +1-304-707-9471
Receive EIN by fax in 4-5 business days

What You Need

Completed Form SS-4
Certificate of Incorporation from Delaware
US registered agent address (for Line 3)
UK passport details for responsible party
Access to a fax machine or online fax service
Return fax number where IRS can send your EIN

No physical fax machine? Use an online fax service such as eFax, HelloFax, or FaxBurner. Many offer free trial pages which is all you need for a single-page SS-4.

2

Phone Method Alternative

You can call the IRS directly and obtain your EIN over the phone. This is faster (you get the EIN immediately during the call) but requires navigating hold times and potentially explaining your foreign status.

Phone Details

IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line
Number: +1-267-941-1099
Hours: Mon-Fri, 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM ET
UK time: 11:00 AM - 4:00 AM (GMT)
Best time to call: 6:00-7:00 AM ET (11:00 AM UK)
NOT a toll-free number from outside the US

What to Have Ready

Completed Form SS-4 (for reference)
Certificate of Incorporation
UK passport (for identity verification)
Company name, address, formation date
Registered agent name and address
Pen and paper to write down the EIN

The IRS agent may ask for a "responsible party" SSN or ITIN. Explain clearly: "I am a foreign person without a US tax identification number. I am applying for an EIN for a newly formed Delaware corporation." They are trained to handle this — the EIN system does not require an SSN.

After you receive the EIN verbally over the phone, the IRS will mail a confirmation letter (CP 575) to your US registered agent address. This typically takes 4-6 weeks. Keep the EIN number you wrote down — it is valid immediately.

3

Online Method Limited

The IRS offers an online EIN application at IRS.gov. However, this method has a significant limitation for UK founders.

Limitation

Requires an SSN or ITIN for the responsible party
Most UK founders do NOT have either
Cannot skip or leave the field blank
The system will reject the application

When Online Works

If you already have an ITIN from prior US activity
If your US co-founder has an SSN
If you have a US-resident responsible party
Instant EIN — issued immediately online

For most UK founders forming their first US company, the online method is NOT available. Use the fax method instead.

Method Comparison at a Glance

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Feature	Fax	Phone	Online
SSN/ITIN Required?	No	No	Yes
Turnaround Time	4-5 business days	Immediate (during call)	Immediate
Available from UK?	Yes	Yes	Requires SSN/ITIN
Cost	Free (+ fax cost)	Free (+ call cost)	Free
Documentation	Fax confirmation + CP 575	Verbal + CP 575 by mail	Immediate letter
Reliability	High	Medium (hold times vary)	N/A for most UK founders
Recommended For	Most UK founders	Founders who need EIN urgently	Founders with existing ITIN

SS-4 Form Line-by-Line Guide for UK Founders

Lines 1-6: Entity Information

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These lines identify your company and its legal structure. Fill them out exactly as they appear on your Delaware Certificate of Incorporation.

Line	Field	What to Enter (UK Founder)
Line 1	Legal name of entity	Your exact company name as filed with Delaware. Example: Acme Technologies Inc.
Line 2	Trade name / DBA	Only if different from Line 1. Most startups leave this blank.
Line 3	Executor, administrator, etc.	Enter your full name as the responsible party. Example: John Smith
Line 4a-b	Mailing address	Use your US registered agent address in Delaware. This is where the IRS will send your CP 575 confirmation letter.
Line 5a-b	Street address	If different from 4a-b, enter the business street address. Otherwise write "Same as above".
Line 6	County and state	County and state of your registered agent. Example: New Castle County, Delaware

Use your US registered agent address for Lines 4a-b, not your UK home address. The IRS needs a US address for correspondence.

Lines 7a-8b: Responsible Party

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The "responsible party" is the individual who controls, manages, or directs the entity. As a UK founder and sole director, this is you.

Line	Field	What to Enter (UK Founder)
Line 7a	Name of responsible party	Your full legal name as it appears on your UK passport. Example: John Alexander Smith
Line 7b	SSN, ITIN, or EIN	Leave BLANK or write "Foreign / None". You are not required to have a US tax ID number to obtain an EIN.
Line 8a	Is LLC?	Check "No" if you formed a C-Corporation (which most UK founders should).
Line 8b	Number of LLC members	Leave blank (only applies to LLCs).

Line 7b is the field that prevents UK founders from using the online application. When faxing, you can simply leave it blank or write "N/A - Foreign Person" and the IRS will still process your application.

Lines 9a-10: Entity Type & Reason

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Line	Field	What to Enter (UK Founder)
Line 9a	Type of entity	Check "Corporation". If your entity is an LLC, check "Other" and write "LLC".
Line 9b	State or foreign country	Enter "Delaware" (or whichever state you incorporated in).
Line 10	Reason for applying	Check "Started new business" and write a brief description: "Software / Technology" or your business type.

For a Delaware C-Corp, always check "Corporation" on Line 9a. Do NOT check "Other" unless you formed an LLC or other entity type.

Lines 11-18: Business Details & Signature

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Line	Field	What to Enter (UK Founder)
Line 11	Date business started	Enter the date on your Certificate of Incorporation. Format: MM/DD/YYYY
Line 12	Closing month of accounting year	Enter "December" (12). Most C-Corps use a calendar year.
Line 13	Highest number of employees expected	Enter "0" if you have no US employees. You can update this later.
Line 14	First date wages paid	Leave blank if you have no employees. Or enter expected date.
Line 15	Principal business activity	Be specific: "Software development", "SaaS technology", "E-commerce", etc.
Line 16	NAICS code	Look up your industry code. Common SaaS/tech codes: 511210 (Software Publishers), 541511 (Custom Computer Programming).
Line 17	Reason for applying (select one)	Check "Banking purpose" if your primary immediate need is opening a bank account. Otherwise check "Other" and specify.
Line 18	Previously applied?	Check "No" for a brand new entity.
Signature	Third party designee / Signature	Sign and date. Enter your UK phone number (with country code +44) and fax number where the IRS should return your EIN.

Double-check all information matches your Certificate of Incorporation exactly. Mismatches between the company name or formation date will delay processing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Top EIN Application Errors by UK Founders

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Entity Type Errors

Checking "Sole proprietor" instead of "Corporation"
Selecting "Partnership" for a single-founder C-Corp
Choosing "LLC" when you formed a C-Corporation
Forgetting to specify the state of incorporation

Address Errors

Using UK home address instead of US registered agent
Inconsistent addresses between SS-4 and incorporation docs
Forgetting to include a return fax number
Using a PO Box without a street address

Responsible Party Errors

Listing the company name instead of an individual
Misspelling your name vs. your passport spelling
Trying to enter a UK NI number in the SSN field
Leaving the responsible party line completely blank

Timing & Process Errors

Applying before incorporation is complete
Submitting multiple applications (causes duplicates)
Not keeping a copy of the faxed SS-4
Panicking and calling after only 3 days (allow 5)

Submitting multiple SS-4 forms for the same entity can result in duplicate EINs, which creates serious tax filing complications. Submit once and wait the full 4-5 business days before following up.

What to Do With Your EIN — Next Steps

Your Post-EIN Action Plan

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Once you have your EIN, you are ready to move forward with the critical next steps in setting up your Delaware C-Corp. Here is the recommended order of operations:

✓

Open a US Business Bank Account — Mercury, Relay, and Brex are popular with UK-founded startups and accept applications from non-US residents. You will need your EIN, Certificate of Incorporation, and passport. See our US Bank Account Guide.

✓

Complete Corporate Documents — Adopt bylaws, issue initial board consent, and appoint officers. Use our Corporate Bylaws Generator and Board Resolution Generator. See our Corporate Documents Guide.

✓

Issue Founder Stock — Execute a Stock Purchase Agreement and, critically, file your 83(b) election within 30 days. See our Equity & Vesting Guide and the Founder Stock Purchase Generator.

✓

Register with Payment Processors — Apply for Stripe (using your EIN, not Stripe Atlas), PayPal Business, or Braintree to accept US payments. Your EIN is required for tax reporting.

✓

Register for State Taxes — If you have employees, customers, or nexus in states outside Delaware, you may need to register for state income tax, sales tax, or franchise tax. Delaware itself has no sales tax.

✓

Begin Compliance Calendar — Mark key dates: Delaware franchise tax (March 1), federal tax return (April 15 or extension), annual report (March 1 in Delaware). See our Compliance Checklist.

Your EIN is valid immediately upon receipt. You do not need to wait for the CP 575 confirmation letter to open a bank account or register with payment processors. The nine-digit number itself is what matters.

Additional Resources

Related Guides & Tools

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For a broader perspective on EIN applications for all foreign nationals (not just UK founders), see our comprehensive guide:

EIN Without SSN Guide

Complete EIN Guide for Foreign Nationals
Covers all foreign applicants, not just UK
Additional IRS contact information
ITIN application process overview

Formation & Setup

IRS Links

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an EIN before incorporating in Delaware?

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No. You must first file your Certificate of Incorporation with the Delaware Division of Corporations and receive your filed certificate back. The SS-4 form requires your incorporation date and your legal entity name exactly as filed. Apply for the EIN only after your incorporation is confirmed.

How long does it take to receive an EIN by fax?

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The IRS typically returns your EIN by fax within 4-5 business days. During peak periods (January-April tax season), it may take up to 7-10 business days. If you have not received a response after 10 business days, you can call the IRS at +1-267-941-1099 to follow up on the status of your faxed application.

Do I need an ITIN in addition to an EIN?

▼

An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is a personal tax ID for you as an individual, while an EIN identifies your company. Initially, you only need the EIN. However, you may eventually need an ITIN if you receive US-source income personally (such as salary from your C-Corp) or if you need to file a personal US tax return. Many UK founders operate for months or even years with just the EIN before needing an ITIN.

What if I lose my EIN or the CP 575 letter?

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Your EIN is permanently assigned and does not change. If you lose the number, you can call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at +1-267-941-1099 and request a verification letter (147C letter). You will need to verify your identity as an authorized person for the entity. The IRS can also fax you a new confirmation. Store your EIN in multiple secure locations from the day you receive it.