Do I need an SSN to get an EIN?
No. Your EIN application is included with or without an SSN. We only ever ask whether someone has an SSN or ITIN and, for a US person, its last four digits. Never the full number.
On this page
No. Every company needs an EIN, the IRS tax ID, and your order includes the EIN application whether or not anyone has an SSN.
Before checkout: a yes or no question
The SSN step asks "Does the main owner have a US Social Security number (SSN)?" The main owner is the person who owns the largest share of the company. Answer Yes, they have an SSN or No, they don't have an SSN. No number is asked here.
If you answer no, your EIN is still included. Without an SSN, the IRS only accepts the application on paper. If no owner has a US SSN, you can add Expedited EIN at checkout. It's refunded automatically if anyone on the order turns out to have an SSN.
After checkout: last four digits only
On the Tax ID step you name the responsible party. Only if that person is a US person, you're asked "Does this person have a US Social Security Number or ITIN?" with the options Yes, an SSN, Yes, an ITIN or No — that's fine.
If they have one, enter only the Last 4 digits. The field takes four digits. If you paste a full number, it keeps only the last four.
If the responsible party isn't a US person, no SSN or ITIN is needed. The application is made without one, and they're asked to sign it.
Terms in this article
- SSN: the personal US tax number the US government issues to citizens, permanent residents and some visa holders.
- ITIN: the IRS number for people who can't get an SSN.
Neither is needed to form the company.