SS-4 Application Form: What It Is and How to File It
Form SS-4 is the only IRS-recognized application form for an EIN. 18 numbered lines, 4 filing routes: online (15 min, SSN), fax to 855-215-1627 (4 to 7 days, no SSN), mail (6 to 11 weeks), phone (international only).
einnumber.co prepares and files by fax at $67 Standard within 5 business days, or $97 Fast within 24 hours.
What is the SS-4 application form?
Form SS-4 is the 1 IRS application vehicle for an EIN. 18 numbered lines, 1 signature block, 2 pages. IRS fee: $0. Turnaround: 15 minutes online (SSN required), 4 to 7 business days by fax (no SSN required), 6 to 11 weeks by mail. 1 form covers all 12 entity types.
Is the SS-4 application the same as an EIN application?
Yes. "SS-4 application form", "EIN application", and "EIN form" all refer to the same document. The IRS recognizes no other application for an EIN. The IRS assigns EINs under 26 U.S.C. § 6109 through this form. 1 form, 4 filing routes.
Who fills out the SS-4 application?
The responsible party listed on line 7a. 1 person, not a company. Third Party Designees on line 8 may prepare the form but do not sign in place of the responsible party. einnumber.co prepares the form; the customer signs the electronic authorization for fax submission. 100 percent of filings need the responsible party signature.
How do you file the SS-4 application form?
Online at irs.gov (15 minutes, SSN or ITIN required). Fax to 855-215-1627 (4 to 7 business days, no SSN). Mail to Cincinnati OH 45999 (6 to 11 weeks). Phone at 267-941-1099 (international applicants only). 4 routes; the IRS charges $0 for every one.
| Route | Time | SSN? | IRS fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | 15 minutes | Yes | $0 |
| Fax | 4-7 business days | No | $0 |
| 6-11 weeks | No | $0 | |
| Phone (international) | 1 call | No | $0 |
What information does the SS-4 application require?
Legal name (line 1), trade name (line 2), mailing address (line 4a or 4b), responsible party (line 7a and 7b), LLC classification (line 8), entity type (line 9a), reason for applying (line 10), start date (line 11), employee count (line 13), and business activity (line 15 to 17). 0 identity documents required.
See the field-by-field walkthrough at SS-4 instructions.
How long does the SS-4 application take?
Online: 15 minutes end to end in the 12-screen session. Fax: 4 to 7 business days. Mail: 42 to 77 days processing plus 3 to 14 days postal transit each way. Phone: 1 call, EIN issued on the line. einnumber.co Standard 12 to 14 business days; Fast 6 to 8 business days.
Why do SS-4 applications get rejected?
Top 5 causes: line 1 name mismatch with state record (30-40 percent of rejections), company on line 7a (15-20 percent), blank line 13 boxes (10-15 percent), line 11 start date before state approval (10 percent), no signature (5-10 percent). Rejection notices arrive by mail 6 to 8 weeks in. Correct and refile via fax; the 4 to 7 day window restarts from day 0.
What are the reference numbers for the SS-4 application?
IRS fax 855-215-1627. Mail ZIP 45999. IRS statute 26 U.S.C. § 6109. 60 valid EIN prefixes, 13 unassigned. Corporate rate 21 percent. Self-employment 15.3 percent. Backup withholding 24 percent. S-corp election 75 days. Classification lock 60 months. Form 5472 penalty $25,000.
What else do people ask about the SS-4 application form?
10 more questions about the application. Form SS-4 is the 1 IRS-recognized vehicle. 4 filing routes. IRS fee $0. Non-US applicants enter Foreign on line 7b and fax to 855-215-1627 for a 4 to 7 business day EIN.
What is the SS-4 application form?
Form SS-4 is the 1 IRS application for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). 18 numbered lines, 1 signature block, 2 pages. The IRS charges $0 for the application and $0 for the EIN. Turnaround: 15 minutes online (SSN required), 4 to 7 business days by fax, 6 to 11 weeks by mail.
Is SS-4 the same as an EIN application?
Yes. Form SS-4 is the only IRS-recognized application for an EIN. "SS-4 application form", "EIN application", and "EIN form" all refer to the same document. The IRS assigns EINs under 26 U.S.C. § 6109 through this form; no other application vehicle exists. 1 form covers all entity types.
Who fills out the SS-4 application?
The responsible party listed on line 7a. Not a formation agent, not an accountant, not the parent LLC. The IRS accepts 1 person. Third Party Designees (line 8) may prepare and submit the form but do not sign in place of the responsible party. einnumber.co prepares the form; the customer signs.
How do I file the SS-4 application form?
4 routes: online at irs.gov (15 minutes, SSN required), fax to 855-215-1627 (4 to 7 business days, no SSN required), mail to Cincinnati OH 45999 (6 to 11 weeks), phone at 267-941-1099 (international only). einnumber.co Standard files by fax within 5 business days at 67.
What information does the SS-4 application require?
Legal name (line 1), trade name (line 2), mailing address (line 4), responsible party name and SSN/ITIN/Foreign (line 7a and 7b), LLC classification (line 8), entity type (line 9a), reason for applying (line 10), start date (line 11), employee count (line 13), and business activity (line 15 to 17). 0 identity documents required.
How long does the SS-4 application take to process?
Online: 15 minutes end to end within the 12-screen session. Fax: 4 to 7 business days. Mail: 42 to 77 days processing + 3 to 14 days postal transit. Phone: 1 call, EIN issued on the line. einnumber.co Standard: 12 to 14 business days. Fast: 6 to 8 business days.
What is the SS-4 application fee?
$0 at the IRS through every route. Form SS-4 downloads free from irs.gov. Third-party filers charge for preparation: einnumber.co 67 Standard or 97 Fast; Rocket Lawyer $59.99; ZenBusiness $99; Northwest $200. IRS fee stays $0 in every case. Year 2 cost: $0.
Can I file the SS-4 application without an SSN?
Yes. Line 7b of the SS-4 application accepts the word Foreign when the responsible party holds no SSN and no ITIN. The IRS returns the EIN by fax within 4 to 7 business days at $0. Fax to 855-215-1627. The online IRS assistant blocks non-SSN applicants at line 7b in 100 percent of cases.
What confirms the SS-4 application was received?
Fax delivery confirmation ends at the IRS gateway; 0 IRS-side receipts issue. The CP-575 confirmation letter arrives 4 to 7 business days after fax, or 6 to 11 weeks after mail, or immediately after online session close. The CP-575 prints the 9-digit EIN and the legal name from line 1 of the SS-4 application.
What if my SS-4 application gets rejected?
The IRS mails a rejection notice 6 to 8 weeks in. Top 5 causes: line 1 name mismatch with state record (30-40 percent), company on line 7a (15-20 percent), blank line 13 boxes (10-15 percent), line 11 start date before state approval (10 percent), no signature (5-10 percent). Correct and refile via fax; wait restarts from day 0.