California LLC EIN Number — Step 6 of 8
An EIN is your LLC's federal tax ID — a Social Security number for your business. You'll need one to open a bank account, hire employees, and file taxes. Best of all, it's completely free directly from the IRS, and with an SSN you can get it in minutes. Here's how, including what to do if you're a non-US founder.
Get your EIN free directly from the IRS at IRS.gov — never pay a third party for the number itself. If you have an SSN or ITIN, apply online and receive it instantly. Non-US founders without an SSN apply by fax (~4 days) or mail (~4 weeks) using Form SS-4. Apply after your California LLC is approved. Multi-member LLCs and any LLC with employees must have one.
- Cost
- Free at IRS.gov
- Online (with SSN)
- Instant
- Fax (SS-4)
- ~4 days
- Mail (SS-4)
- ~4 weeks
- Form
- SS-4
- When to apply
- After LLC approved
- Next step
- Step 7 →
What an EIN Is & Who Needs One
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit federal tax ID the IRS issues to your business. It identifies your LLC on tax filings the way a Social Security number identifies a person. For a California LLC, you'll use it to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file federal and state taxes.
- Multi-member LLCs must have one — it's required for partnership tax filing.
- Any LLC with employees must have one — it's needed for payroll taxes.
- Single-member LLCs with no employees can technically use the owner's SSN, but an EIN is strongly recommended — banks require it and it keeps your SSN private.
Never pay for an EINThe EIN itself is 100% free directly from the IRS. Sites that charge $50–$300 for "EIN filing" are just filling out a free form for you. Apply yourself at IRS.gov, or let your formation service include it.
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 your LLC is approved. Apply only after the Secretary of State has accepted your Articles, so your details match.
- Online (with SSN/ITIN): use the IRS EIN Assistant, Monday–Friday, and you'll get your number instantly at the end.
- By fax/mail (Form SS-4): complete Form SS-4 and submit it — about 4 business days by fax, 4 weeks by mail.
- Save the confirmation letter (CP 575). Your bank will ask for it — keep a copy with your records.
Non-US founders can still get an EINYou don't need an SSN or ITIN to get an EIN for your LLC. Complete Form SS-4 — where it asks for the responsible party's SSN/ITIN, foreign applicants without one can write "Foreign" — and submit by fax or mail, or call the IRS international line. A formation service that offers EIN help can also handle this for you.
- ✓Obtains your EIN — including for non-US owners without an SSN
- ✓Forms your California LLC for $39 + the $70 state fee
- ✓Serves as your agent for service of process
- ✓No upsells · No data selling · Privacy by Default
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California LLC EIN — FAQ
Ahmad Adil is the founder and CEO of LLC School. The EIN guidance here — that the number is free at IRS.gov, the instant online route with an SSN/ITIN, the fax and mail timelines for Form SS-4, and the options for non-US founders — reflects current IRS procedures. LLC School updates its guides as IRS processes change.
About Ahmad Adil → California LLC Overview →