Getting an EIN — your Employer Identification Number — is one of the first things you do after forming your LLC. It’s the tax ID number the IRS uses to identify your business, and you’ll need it to open a business bank account, apply for supplier accounts, file business taxes, and hire employees or contractors. At Ecommerce Paradise, it’s one of the first items on our business formation checklist. Here’s exactly how to apply.
What Is an EIN?
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a nine-digit number assigned by the IRS in the format XX-XXXXXXX. It functions as your business’s Social Security Number — a unique identifier the federal government uses to track your business’s tax obligations. Despite the name, you don’t need employees to get an EIN. Any LLC, sole proprietorship, or corporation should have one. For a high-ticket dropshipping business, you need an EIN to open a business bank account, set up Shopify Payments, apply for supplier accounts, apply for a resale certificate, and file your annual taxes.
How to Apply for an EIN: The Free IRS Method (US Residents)
The fastest and completely free way to get an EIN is to apply directly through the IRS website. This takes about 15 minutes and you receive your EIN immediately upon completion.
Step 1: Go to irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online. The IRS online EIN application is available Monday through Friday, 7am to 10pm Eastern time.
Step 2: Click “Apply Online Now” and begin the application. Select “Limited Liability Company” as your entity type.
Step 3: Select your state of formation and the number of members in your LLC (one member for a single-member LLC). Select the reason for applying — “Started a new business” for a brand new LLC.
Step 4: Enter the responsible party information. For a single-member LLC, this is you — your full legal name and Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The responsible party is the person who controls the business’s funds and assets.
Step 5: Enter your LLC’s legal name exactly as it appears on your Articles of Organization. Enter the LLC’s mailing address.
Step 6: Answer questions about your business activities — select “Retail” or “Other” for ecommerce, and describe what your business does (online retail, dropshipping).
Step 7: Choose whether you want to receive your EIN confirmation letter by mail or download it immediately as a PDF. Always download and save the PDF immediately — this is your official EIN confirmation letter and you’ll need it for banking and supplier applications.
Your EIN is assigned immediately upon completion of the online application. Save the confirmation letter (Form SS-4) in a secure location with your other business formation documents.
How to Apply for an EIN as a Non-US Resident
Non-US residents who have formed a US LLC cannot use the online IRS application, which requires a US Social Security Number. There are two options.
Option 1: Apply by phone. Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at +1 267-941-1099 (not toll-free). Hours are Monday through Friday, 6am to 11pm Eastern time. The IRS agent will ask you questions from the SS-4 form and assign your EIN during the call. Have your LLC name, Articles of Organization, and your passport information ready. This is free and typically takes 30-60 minutes including hold time.
Option 2: Apply by fax or mail. Complete Form SS-4 (downloadable from irs.gov) and fax or mail it to the IRS. Fax processing takes approximately 4 business days. Mail processing takes 4-6 weeks. For most operators, the phone method is far faster.
Option 3: Use a service. Your LLC formation service (Bizee, ZenBusiness, Northwest Registered Agent) often offers EIN obtainment as an add-on service, typically $50-70. They handle the IRS application on your behalf and deliver the EIN to you. This is the simplest option for non-US residents who want to avoid the IRS phone call process.
What to Do With Your EIN After You Get It
Save your EIN confirmation letter (Form SS-4) immediately. Store it digitally in a secure location alongside your Articles of Organization and Operating Agreement. You’ll need the EIN number (XX-XXXXXXX format) for the following: opening your business bank account (Mercury, Chase, or whichever bank you choose requires this), setting up Shopify Payments merchant account, supplier dealer applications (most require your EIN on the application form), applying for your resale certificate (seller’s permit) through your state Department of Revenue, hiring employees or independent contractors (required for W-9 forms), and filing your annual business taxes.
Never share your EIN publicly or unnecessarily. Treat it with the same care as a Social Security Number. Only provide it to financial institutions, government agencies, and legitimate business partners who specifically need it for tax or legal compliance purposes. For the complete sequence of business formation steps including LLC formation, EIN, business bank account, and supplier applications, our full business formation checklist is the definitive resource. And for guidance on choosing the right high-ticket niche to build your business around, the High-Ticket Dropshipping Masterclass covers the complete niche selection and store launch process. Our private coaching program is available for personalized one-on-one guidance, and the done-for-you service handles business setup and store building for you.
Trevor Fenner is an ecommerce entrepreneur and the founder of Ecommerce Paradise, a platform focused on helping entrepreneurs build and scale profitable high-ticket ecommerce and dropshipping businesses. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Trevor specializes in high-ticket dropshipping strategy, niche and product selection, supplier recruiting and onboarding, Google & Bing Shopping ads, ecommerce SEO, and systems-driven automation and scaling. Through Ecommerce Paradise, he provides free education via in-depth guides like How to Start High-Ticket Dropshipping, advanced training through the High-Ticket Dropshipping Masterclass, and fully done-for-you turnkey ecommerce services for entrepreneurs who want a faster, more hands-off path to growth. Trevor is known for emphasizing sustainable, real-world ecommerce models over hype-driven tactics, helping store owners build scalable, sellable, and location-independent brands.
