One of the first things we hear from founders: "I don't have a US Social Security Number — can I even get an EIN?"
The answer is yes. And it's one of the biggest misconceptions we see.
What most people get wrong
Myth: You need an SSN or ITIN to get an EIN.
Reality: The IRS allows non-US residents to obtain an EIN using their personal tax ID from their home country instead.
Here's how it actually works
That's the EIN application. It's a standard form, and there's a specific line for non-US taxpayers.
Instead of an SSN, you provide your tax identification number from your home country (passport number, national ID, or tax ID depending on where you're from).
You can apply by phone (fastest, usually same-day), or by mail (2-4 weeks). Some services will handle this for you.
The IRS reviews and approves. You get your EIN, and you can start opening a US bank account, hiring employees, and running your company.
Why this matters
A real US company needs an EIN. It's not optional. Without it, your company is half-formed: incorporated on paper, but no bank account, no tax ID, no real existence in the US financial system.
This is the step that separates services that actually deliver from ones that leave you stranded. Most cheap filing services won't touch it — they'll file your incorporation paperwork and tell you to "figure out the EIN yourself." You're left on hold with the IRS, confused about forms, no closer to having a working company.
What we do differently
At Foundly US, we handle the entire EIN process for you — gathering your documents, filing Form SS-4, calling the IRS if needed, and getting your EIN in hand. Then you get everything: incorporation documents, EIN letter, full governance package, all ready to open a US bank account.
It's the part that actually matters.