⚡ QUICK ANSWERITIN (9XX-XX-XXXX) = individual tax ID for non-US persons without a Social Security Number. EIN (XX-XXXXXXX) = business tax ID for a US company. Most foreign entrepreneurs with a US LLC need both. Your LLC uses EIN. You personally use ITIN to sign W-8BEN, claim treaty benefits, and file Form 1040-NR.
ITIN vs EIN — At a Glance
🔵 ITIN
9XX-XX-XXXX
- Identifies an individual person
- For non-US persons without SSN
- Apply via Form W-7
- Gets it: 7–11 weeks (via CAA)
- Used for: W-8BEN, 1040-NR, treaty claims
🟢 EIN
XX-XXXXXXX
- Identifies a business entity
- For US LLCs, corporations, partnerships
- Apply via Form SS-4
- Gets it: 4–8 weeks (by mail for foreign)
- Used for: Bank accounts, tax filings, payroll
What Is an ITIN — Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
An ITIN is a 9-digit number issued by the IRS to individuals who have US tax obligations but are not eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN). Format: 9XX-XX-XXXX — always begins with 9.
You need an ITIN if you:
- Earn royalties from US sources (KDP, YouTube AdSense, licensing) and want to claim a treaty rate
- Own US real estate or sell US property (FIRPTA obligations)
- Own a foreign-owned US LLC and need to file Form 1040-NR
- Freelance on Upwork/Fiverr and need to submit a complete W-8BEN
- Need to claim tax treaty benefits as an individual
💡 Key point: An ITIN does NOT authorize you to work in the USA, does NOT create a Social Security benefit entitlement, and does NOT change your immigration status. It is purely a tax identification number.
What Is an EIN — Employer Identification Number
An EIN is a 9-digit number issued by the IRS to business entities — LLCs, corporations, partnerships, trusts. Format: XX-XXXXXXX. Despite the name "Employer Identification Number," you do not need employees to get an EIN — any US business entity needs one.
Your US LLC needs an EIN to:
- Open a US business bank account (Mercury, Relay, Chase)
- Accept Stripe payments as a business
- File Form 5472 (annual IRS filing for foreign-owned US LLCs)
- File Form 1120 (if a C-Corp) or Form 1065 (if partnership)
- Complete Amazon Seller Central tax interview as a business
When You Need Both ITIN and EIN
Most foreign entrepreneurs who own a US LLC need both:
| Task | ITIN | EIN |
|---|
| Submit W-8BEN (personal) | ✅ Required | ❌ |
| Submit W-8BEN-E (entity) | ❌ | ✅ Required |
| Open US business bank account | Sometimes | ✅ Required |
| File Form 5472 (foreign-owned LLC) | ✅ Owner needs ITIN | ✅ LLC needs EIN |
| Amazon Seller Central (personal) | ✅ Required | Alternative |
| File Form 1040-NR (personal) | ✅ Required | ❌ |
| Claim US tax treaty benefits | ✅ Required | ❌ |
The Stripe Atlas Gap — EIN Without ITIN
Stripe Atlas helps foreign entrepreneurs form a US Delaware LLC and get an EIN. Many founders assume that EIN = all the tax IDs they need. It doesn't.
⚠️ Critical gap: Stripe Atlas provides your LLC's EIN (business ID). It does NOT provide your personal ITIN. Many Stripe Atlas founders miss their Form 5472 filing ($25,000 IRS penalty per year per form) because they don't realize they need an ITIN to properly manage their personal US tax obligations as a foreign owner.
After forming your LLC via Stripe Atlas: get your ITIN from ITIN Plus to handle personal W-8BEN submissions, Form 5472 compliance as an individual, and any 1040-NR filings if you sell US-connected property or earn US passive income.
Get Your ITIN — Complete Your US Tax ID Setup
IRS Certified Acceptance Agent. No passport mailing. 7–11 weeks. $99.
Apply Now — $99 →✅ IRS CAA — Certifies Passports Remotely✅ No Document Mailing✅ 7–11 Weeks
How to Get Your ITIN — 3 Steps
- Apply at itinplus.com — complete our online form with your personal details and US tax situation (royalties, LLC ownership, real estate, platform income).
- Passport certification — our IRS CAA certifies your original passport remotely via video call. No mailing of original documents required.
- IRS processing — we file Form W-7 with the IRS. Your ITIN arrives in 7–11 weeks. Use it on W-8BEN, 1040-NR, and all personal IRS forms immediately.
FAQs — ITIN vs EIN
Can I use EIN instead of ITIN on my W-8BEN?
No. W-8BEN is a personal form — it requires an individual TIN (ITIN or SSN). An EIN is a business identifier and cannot substitute for ITIN on personal forms. If you have a US LLC, you use W-8BEN-E (entity version) with your EIN — but for personal income streams (KDP royalties earned in your own name, freelancing) you need W-8BEN with ITIN.
Can I use ITIN instead of EIN for my US LLC?
No. An LLC is a legal entity separate from you. The LLC needs its own EIN. You personally need an ITIN. They serve different purposes and neither substitutes for the other at the entity level.
Does Amazon accept EIN instead of ITIN?
Yes — on Amazon's tax interview, if you sell as a business entity (US LLC) you can enter your EIN instead of ITIN. But if you sell as an individual or if your LLC is treated as a disregarded entity for US tax purposes, you may still need your ITIN for the personal W-8BEN that controls withholding on royalty-type payments like KDP royalties.
How long does it take to get an EIN vs an ITIN?
EIN for a foreign-owned entity: 4–8 weeks by fax/mail to the IRS (online application is not available for non-US applicants without a US SSN). ITIN via a CAA like ITIN Plus: 7–11 weeks after submission of Form W-7.
Do I need to renew ITIN and EIN?
EIN never expires — once assigned, your business EIN is permanent. ITIN can expire if unused for 3 consecutive tax filing years. Submit a tax return or contact ITIN Plus before expiry to renew.
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Written by ITIN Plus — IRS Certified Acceptance AgentGeneral information only, not tax advice. Verify requirements at IRS.gov or consult a licensed tax professional.