EIN and ITIN. The two numbers you cannot do without.

The EIN is the tax number of your US company, the ITIN your personal US tax number. Without an EIN there is no business account and no US filing; without an ITIN, generally no personal credit history in the US. We prepare both applications and file them.

In brief

Your company receives the EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the US tax authority, the IRS — free of charge and without a US Social Security number. You personally receive the ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) if there is a tax reason; it is applied for with Form W-7 and a verified passport. FIAON prepares both applications and files them; the IRS makes the decision.

EIN and ITIN compared

Processing times according to the IRS (as of 2026): EIN by fax about four working days, by post about four weeks; ITIN about seven weeks, and between mid-January and the end of April as well as for applications from abroad nine to eleven weeks.

For whom · EIN: your US company · ITIN: you as an individual
Purpose · EIN: account, filings, invoices, contracts · ITIN: personal tax obligations and credit history in the US
Form · EIN: SS-4 · ITIN: W-7
Requirement · EIN: a company that has been formed · ITIN: a tax reason that the IRS recognises
IRS fee · EIN: none · ITIN: none
IRS processing time · EIN: fax about four working days, post about four weeks · ITIN: about seven weeks, from abroad nine to eleven

The EIN — the number of your company

Every US company needs an EIN: for the business account, for invoices to US customers, for the annual filing with the IRS and for every contract in which a US partner asks for a tax number. The IRS online procedure requires a US tax number for the responsible party. Shareholders without such a number apply for the EIN in writing with Form SS-4 — we take care of that: we complete the form, have you sign it, file it and place the IRS confirmation in your document room.

The ITIN — your personal US tax number

The ITIN is intended for people who have to be registered for tax in the US but cannot obtain a Social Security number. It is not a work permit and not a residence permit, but solely a tax number. It matters for US business credit cards because, where the owner gives a personal guarantee, an issuer assesses the person — and needs a US tax number to do so. The IRS, however, only issues the ITIN where there is a tax reason: as a rule it is applied for together with a US tax return, or under one of the exceptions the IRS allows. Before applying, we clarify with our US CPA whether a reason applies in your case, and which one; we do not file an application without a sound reason. You do not have to send your passport to the US: a Certifying Acceptance Agent verifies it at an appointment and files the application — the original stays with you.

How the applications work

1. Company formed: The EIN can only be applied for once the company is registered with the state.
2. SS-4 prepared and filed: We complete the form, you sign, we file. The IRS confirmation is then placed in your document room.
3. Reason for the ITIN checked: Our US CPA checks which tax reason applies. Without a sound reason we do not file an application at all, rather than let it fail.
4. W-7 with a verified passport: The Certifying Acceptance Agent verifies your passport at the appointment; the application goes to the IRS with the required attachments, and we follow it through to the decision.

What you need to know

Both numbers are issued by the IRS alone, on its own timeline. FIAON prepares and files — the decision is not FIAON’s to make.
The ITIN requires a tax reason. Wanting an account or a card is not in itself a reason that the IRS recognises.
An ITIN is neither a credit card nor a credit limit. It is a prerequisite for an issuer to be able to assess you at all.

The right package

EIN and ITIN are included in every package — from Global Structure.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a US Social Security number to get an EIN?

No. Shareholders without a US tax number apply for the EIN in writing with Form SS-4. The IRS online procedure is only open to applicants with a US tax number.

How much does the IRS charge for an EIN?

Nothing. The IRS charges no fee for the EIN. At FIAON Global, preparation and filing are included in the fixed price of every package.

What do I need an ITIN for?

For personal tax obligations in the US — and so that a US issuer can assess you as a person if you give a personal guarantee for a business credit card. The IRS only issues the ITIN where there is a tax reason.

Will I automatically get a credit card with an ITIN?

No. The ITIN is a tax number. Whether an issuer issues a card, and with what limit, is decided by the issuer itself under its own rules.

Do I have to send my passport to the US?

No. A Certifying Acceptance Agent verifies your passport at an appointment and files the application. The original stays with you.

How long does it take to get an ITIN?

According to the IRS, about seven weeks; between mid-January and the end of April and for applications from abroad, nine to eleven weeks. FIAON cannot speed this up — we make sure the application is complete, because incomplete applications are the most common reason for delays.

Read on

Apply for your EIN. Without a Social Security number. – Apply for an EIN for your LLC without an SSN: Form SS-4 line by line, fax, post or phone, timing and the typical mistakes — as of September 2026.
Apply for your ITIN. Only with a tax reason. – Apply for an ITIN with Form W-7: who needs one, which tax reason qualifies, passport and acceptance agent, timing and expiry — as of September 2026.
US company formation. With a team on the ground, at a fixed price. – Your US company from Germany or Switzerland: LLC or corporation, EIN, ITIN, registered agent and address. Fixed price, all fees included.
Your US compliance duties. In the calendar, not at the back of your mind. – Form 5472 with Form 1120, annual report, registered agent: we keep your US company’s compliance calendar; our US CPA prepares the first filing.