When a Canadian needs a U.S. EIN
An EIN is a U.S. federal tax ID for a business entity. Canadians usually need one when they set up something that exists under U.S. law, such as a U.S. LLC, or when a U.S. bank or payer asks for it.
The IRS says you generally need an EIN to hire employees, operate a partnership or corporation, pay certain taxes, change a business structure or administer certain trusts and estates.IRS A Canadian company filling in Form W-8BEN-E also gives a U.S. EIN on line 8 if it claims treaty benefits and has no foreign tax ID on line 9b.IRS Our W-8BEN-E guide shows where.
Business Number vs EIN vs SIN
| Number | Issued by | Identifies | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIN | The Government of Canada | A person | Working in Canada and accessing government programs and benefits.Canada.ca |
| Business Number (BN) | The Canada Revenue Agency | A Canadian business | Dealing with CRA, provincial and other federal programs.CRA |
| EIN | The IRS | A U.S. business entity, trust or estate | U.S. federal tax filings, hiring, banking.IRS |
| ITIN | The IRS | An individual who cannot get an SSN | U.S. federal tax filings and treaty claims. See our ITIN for Canadians guide.IRS |
Your BN does not substitute for an EIN, and a SIN is not a U.S. number. Neither goes on line 7b of Form SS-4.
How a Canadian applies for an EIN
- 1
Form your U.S. entity first, if you need one
If you are creating a U.S. corporation or LLC, form it with the state before you apply. The IRS warns the EIN request can be delayed if you do not.IRS
State formation - 2
Skip the IRS online tool
It cannot be used if your principal place of business is outside the U.S., and it asks for the responsible party's SSN or ITIN.IRS
Not online - 3
Prepare Form SS-4
Name the responsible party. On line 7b write "foreign" or N/A if that person has no SSN or ITIN and cannot get one. An entry is required.IRS
Line 7b - 4
Call, fax or mail
Call 267-941-1099 (not toll-free), Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern, or send the form by fax or mail. If the IRS agent asks, send the signed form within 24 hours.IRS
Phone, fax or mail - 5
Keep the confirmation
The IRS sends your EIN and you use it on U.S. filings. Fax applications generally come back by fax within four business days.IRS
EIN confirmation
Our EIN service prepares and files this for you. Nolly.com charges US$75, one time, to prepare and file your EIN request. The IRS itself charges nothing for an EIN.
Get your EIN with Nolly.com from Canada
Nolly.com is a Toronto company. We prepare Form SS-4 from your answers and file it with the IRS the way that fits a non-U.S. applicant. You do not need an SSN or ITIN. If you also need a personal U.S. tax ID, see our ITIN for Canadians page. Nolly.com is a private company, not the IRS.
Your questions answered
Yes. Apply by phone, fax or mail with Form SS-4, and write "foreign" or N/A on line 7b if the responsible party has no SSN or ITIN.IRS
No. The IRS online tool needs a principal place of business in the U.S. or its territories and the responsible party's SSN or ITIN. Use phone, fax or mail.IRS
267-941-1099 (not toll-free), Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern.IRS
Nolly.com charges US$75, one time, to prepare and file your EIN request. The IRS itself charges nothing for an EIN.
More questions? See the full Nolly.com FAQ.
How we checked this
Every IRS fact on this page comes from IRS.gov or the other official pages listed below and was checked on October 2, 2026. Nolly.com's own prices are the only exception. Nolly.com is a private company and is not part of the IRS.
Nolly Services Inc, d/b/a Nolly.com, appears on the IRS page Acceptance agents – Canada. Nolly.com is a private company and isn't part of the IRS.
- Instructions for Form W-8BEN-Ehttps://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw8bene
- Instructions for Form SS-4 (12/2025)https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iss4
- Get an employer identification numberhttps://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/get-an-employer-identification-number
- Taxpayer identification numbers (TIN)https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/taxpayer-identification-numbers-tin
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin.html
- Business number and CRA program accountshttps://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/business-registration/business-number-program-account.html
Checked against IRS.gov on October 2, 2026. General information, not tax advice.
