Delaware LLC EIN Number — Step 5 of 8
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit federal tax ID assigned by the IRS. The EIN itself is free. The fastest application route depends on two things: where the LLC's principal place of business is located and whether the responsible party has an SSN or ITIN. This guide uses the IRS's current 2026 rules, including the online application, Form SS-4, international options, and the banking step that commonly follows.
The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. The online tool can issue an EIN immediately when the entity's principal place of business is in the U.S. or a U.S. territory and the responsible party has an SSN or ITIN. Other applicants can use Form SS-4 by fax or mail; applicants whose principal place of business is outside the U.S. may also apply by phone. Apply after the Delaware LLC is legally formed.
- Cost
- Free
- Online eligibility
- U.S. place + SSN/ITIN
- Form SS-4
- Fax / mail
- Issued by
- IRS
- Apply when
- After legal formation
- Foreign-owned U.S. DE
- Check 5472 rules
- Next step
- Step 6 →
What an EIN Is & Why You Need One
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit number the IRS assigns to identify a business tax account. Whether an LLC is legally required to have one depends on its federal tax classification and activities, but many LLCs obtain one because it is needed for payroll, certain federal filings, tax elections, and commonly for business banking.
- Business banking — banks set their own account-opening rules, and many ask an LLC for an EIN along with formation and ownership documents.
- Hiring employees and handling payroll taxes.
- Filing federal taxes and, for many LLCs, electing how you're taxed.
- Business tax identification — an EIN can be used where a business TIN is appropriate, but it does not replace your SSN or ITIN for personal tax purposes.
The EIN itself is free from the IRSThe IRS does not charge an EIN application fee. A third-party service may charge for preparing or submitting the application on your behalf, so distinguish the government fee ($0) from an optional service fee.
EIN Application Method Finder
The right way to apply depends on one thing: whether you have a US Social Security Number or ITIN. Answer below to see your fastest route:
How to Apply, Step by Step
- Wait until the LLC is legally formed. IRS guidance says not to apply before the organization is legally formed. Use the exact legal name from the Delaware formation record.
- Online route: if the principal place of business is in the U.S. or a U.S. territory and the responsible party has an SSN or ITIN, use the IRS online tool. It must be completed in one session and can issue the EIN immediately when approved.
- Fax route: submit Form SS-4 to the fax number that matches the entity's location. The IRS says fax applications are generally returned in about 4 business days when you provide a return fax number.
- Mail route: mail Form SS-4 to the current IRS EIN Operation address. The IRS recommends allowing roughly 4–5 weeks.
- International phone route: when the principal place of business is outside the U.S. or U.S. territories, an authorized caller may apply by phone using the IRS international EIN number.
- Save the EIN assignment notice. Print or save the confirmation available at the end of an approved online session and keep it with the LLC's permanent records.
This is the right point in the LLC journey to compare business-bank options. Account requirements vary, so check the provider's current eligibility, ID, ownership, address, and document rules before applying.
Non-U.S. founders: EIN and ITIN are differentAn EIN identifies a business tax account; an ITIN identifies an individual for federal tax purposes when that person is not eligible for an SSN. Form SS-4 instructions allow an ineligible foreign responsible party to enter “foreign” or N/A on line 7b. A foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity can also have Form 5472 and pro-forma Form 1120 reporting obligations when the §6038A rules apply, so cross-border owners should review those rules separately.
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Disclosure: LLC School may earn a commission through this link, at no extra cost to you. The EIN itself remains free from the IRS; Northwest charges separately if you choose its EIN application service. Verify Northwest’s current EIN-service pricing and formation terms before ordering. See our Advertising & Affiliate Disclosure.
Official IRS Sources
These primary IRS sources were used for the August 2026 verification.
- IRS — Get an Employer Identification Number
- IRS — Form SS-4 and current instructions
- IRS — Current Form SS-4 fax numbers and mailing address
- IRS — Form 5472 instructions for foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entities
IRS procedures checked August 2026The online eligibility rules, $0 government fee, one-session online tool, responsible-party TIN requirement, international phone option, current SS-4 fax numbers, approximately 4-business-day fax processing, approximately 4-week mail timing, and foreign-owned disregarded-entity reporting language were checked against current IRS guidance.
Delaware LLC EIN — FAQ
Ahmad Adil is the founder of LLC School. This Delaware EIN guide was rechecked in August 2026 against the IRS EIN application page, the December 2025 Form SS-4 instructions, the April 2026 SS-4 filing-address/fax guidance, and the IRS Form 5472 instructions for foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entities. This is educational information, not tax or banking advice.
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