Question 1

Do I need an SSN or ITIN to get an EIN?

Accepted Answer

No. Most foreign LLC owners can apply without a US Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). GatewayBase prepares IRS Form SS-4 for you and writes "Foreign" where a US tax ID would normally go. This is the standard path for non-US residents who own a US LLC.

Question 2

Do I need an LLC before I apply for an EIN?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your LLC should already be formed with the state before you apply for an EIN. You will need the legal company name exactly as it appears on your formation documents, the US state where the LLC was formed, and a US mailing address (many foreign owners use a registered agent address). GatewayBase walks you through each field in plain English.

Question 3

Can I use this for an LLC formed in any US state?

Accepted Answer

Yes. This EIN application service works for US LLCs formed in any state, not only Wyoming. You enter your company details during the application, and GatewayBase prepares Form SS-4 with the correct state and entity information. The service is built for foreign-owned LLCs regardless of which state you chose.

Question 4

How much does GatewayBase charge for an EIN application?

Accepted Answer

GatewayBase charges $19 as a one-time fee. There is no subscription. The IRS does not charge a fee to issue an EIN. Your payment covers document preparation, the guided SS-4 workflow, fax delivery to the IRS, and storage of your EIN confirmation in your GatewayBase account.

Question 5

Is the EIN fee paid to the IRS?

Accepted Answer

No. The IRS issues Employer Identification Numbers free of charge. GatewayBase is separate from the IRS. You pay GatewayBase for preparing your Form SS-4, helping you sign it, sending it to the IRS by fax, and saving your results in your account.

Question 6

Do I need to pay before my EIN application is faxed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. After you answer the questions and add your signature, you pay the one-time GatewayBase fee. Then you review the generated SS-4 packet and send it to the IRS through the fax step in your dashboard. Payment unlocks the final review and fax workflow.

Question 7

How long does it take to get an EIN?

Accepted Answer

Timing depends on the IRS. Fax applications are usually faster than mail. Many foreign-owner fax applications are processed within 14 days, but the IRS can take longer during busy periods. GatewayBase tracks your fax and notifies you when your EIN confirmation is received and saved to your account.

Question 8

Can I apply for an EIN if I do not live in the US?

Accepted Answer

Yes. This service is made for foreign owners of US LLCs who live outside the United States. You do not need a US address of your own, but Form SS-4 does need a US mailing address where the IRS can send your confirmation letter. Many owners use their registered agent address for this.

Question 9

Why can't I use the IRS online EIN tool?

Accepted Answer

The IRS online EIN assistant only works when the responsible party has a valid US tax ID (SSN or ITIN) and certain US-based details are available. If you live outside the US and do not have a US tax ID, the online tool will block you. The correct method is Form SS-4 by fax or mail. GatewayBase prepares the form and sends it by fax for you.

Question 10

What happens after I fax my SS-4 to the IRS?

Accepted Answer

GatewayBase sends your signed Form SS-4 to the IRS by fax and tracks delivery status in your account. When the IRS processes your application, they issue your EIN. We attach the IRS confirmation to your filing, save it in your file vault, update your company profile with the EIN, and email you when it is ready.

Question 11

How do I receive my EIN confirmation letter?

Accepted Answer

You get two paths. First, the IRS mails an official EIN confirmation letter (usually Form CP-575 or letter 147C) to the US mailing address listed on Form SS-4. Second, when GatewayBase receives the IRS response, we save a digital copy in your account and file vault so you can download it anytime. Keep this letter — banks and payment providers often ask for it.

Question 12

What is a foreign-owned US disregarded entity?

Accepted Answer

A single-member US LLC owned by one foreign person is, by default, treated as a "disregarded entity" for US federal tax. That means the LLC is generally not taxed separately at the entity level in most cases, but it still needs its own EIN for banking and IRS filings. GatewayBase fills in the correct SS-4 wording for this entity type so you do not have to learn IRS terminology.

Question 13

Who is the responsible party if I live abroad?

Accepted Answer

For most single-owner foreign LLCs, the responsible party is you — the person who owns or controls the company. Form SS-4 asks for this person by name. GatewayBase helps you identify the right responsible party and enter the details in plain English, even when that person has no US tax ID.

Question 14

Does GatewayBase provide legal or tax advice?

Accepted Answer

No. GatewayBase provides document preparation software only. We are not a law firm, accounting firm, or tax advisor, and we are not affiliated with or endorsed by the IRS. The tool helps you prepare and send Form SS-4, but you remain responsible for the accuracy of your information and for meeting your own tax and legal obligations.

Get an EIN for your foreign-owned US LLC.

Everything you need to apply for your EIN.

Why the IRS online tool does not work for foreign owners.

Built for foreign-owned US disregarded entities.

Four steps, plain and simple.

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Common questions from foreign LLC owners.

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