EIN · Form SS-4 · retrieved 23 September 2026
LLC EIN: free from the IRS — mailing is not street
An Employer Identification Number is free at IRS.gov. Form SS-4 asks for a mailing address and, if different, a street address — and the street line bans a P.O. box. Your registered agent is a state service-of-process role; it is not the same job as your EIN mailing path or a virtual mailbox. Vendors who file for you publish service fees: Northwest $50 / $200, Bizee $70 (re-checked 23 September 2026 CT).
What “EIN for an LLC” actually means
| Job | Where it lives | What “done” looks like |
|---|---|---|
| State registered agent | SOS / DOS / ACC public record | Continuous agent with a qualifying in-state street for service of process — not a PO box / mailbox substitute |
| SS-4 mailing (4a–4b) | IRS tax account | Address for IRS correspondence; generally used on tax returns; PO box allowed |
| SS-4 street (5a–5b) | IRS tax account (if different) | Physical address of the entity; instructions: don’t enter a P.O. box |
| Virtual mailbox | Private mail / scan product | Forwarding and scans for bank or IRS letters — still not the registered agent |
Form SS-4 address lines (what the IRS publishes)
Instructions for Form SS-4 (Rev. December 2025), retrieved 23 September 2026 CT:
- Lines 4a–4b — mailing address. Enter the mailing address for the entity’s correspondence. If line 3 (care-of / executor / trustee) is completed, use that person’s address. Generally this address is used on all tax returns. File Form 8822-B later if the mailing address changes.
- Lines 5a–5b — street address. Provide the entity’s physical address only if different from mailing. Don’t enter a P.O. box number here.
- Lines 7a–7b — responsible party. Full name plus SSN, ITIN, or EIN of the person who ultimately owns or controls the entity. Unless the applicant is a government entity, that party must be an individual (a natural person), not an entity.
- Lines 8a–8c — LLC. Say whether the applicant is an LLC, how many members, and whether it was organized in the United States. Classification defaults and elections (partnership, disregarded entity, corporation) follow the instructions — this desk does not give tax advice.
What vendors charge to file for you
| Path | Published fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IRS online / fax / mail | $0 | Official issuer; “never have to pay a fee for an EIN” |
| Northwest EIN (with SSN) | $50 | Service fee to prepare/file; IRS itself still free |
| Northwest EIN (no SSN) | $200 | Foreign / no-SSN path they publish as $200 |
| Bizee standalone EIN | $70 | Standalone $70; included at no extra charge in Standard / Premium formation |
Those dollars are for paperwork help, not for the number. If you already know your formation and agent stack, compare the broader vendor bill on 3-year cost and Northwest vs ZenBusiness vs Bizee.
How this sits next to RA and mailbox
Founders often ask whether the registered agent’s street can “be” the EIN address so a home stays off forms. Split the jobs:
- State RA / registered office: must satisfy that state’s continuous agent rules (street, consent, in-state). Mailboxes and many virtual addresses fail that test — see agent vs mailbox.
- IRS mailing: can be a PO box or another deliverable mail path where you actually want IRS letters.
- IRS street (when required): physical location of the entity; no P.O. box on 5a–5b.
A virtual business address can still be useful for scanning bank and IRS mail. Budget it as mail rent, then keep the registered-agent line separate.
Questions
Is an EIN free for an LLC?
Yes from the IRS. Their Get an EIN page (retrieved 23 September 2026 CT) says you can apply online for free and “You never have to pay a fee for an EIN.” Vendors charge a service fee to file Form SS-4 for you — Northwest publishes $50 with an SSN and $200 without; Bizee publishes $70 standalone (included in Standard/Premium formation). Filing Address does not file EINs.
Can I use my registered agent address on Form SS-4?
Mailing address (lines 4a–4b) is where the IRS should send correspondence — a deliverable mailing address, including a PO box when that is your mail path. Street address (lines 5a–5b) is the entity’s physical address only if different from mailing, and the instructions say don’t enter a P.O. box there. A commercial registered agent’s office is for state service of process; it is not automatically your principal place of business on SS-4 unless that is honestly where the business is located. Keep IRS, bank, and state records consistent.
Can I use a virtual mailbox or PO box for my EIN?
On lines 4a–4b (mailing), a PO box is allowed. On lines 5a–5b (street), the IRS instructions say don’t enter a P.O. box. A scan-and-forward virtual mailbox is still a mail product — useful for IRS letters, not a substitute for a registered agent. See our virtual address and agent-vs-mailbox notes.
Do I form the LLC before I apply for an EIN?
Yes for corporations and LLCs. The IRS Get an EIN page says form the entity with the secretary of state before you apply; otherwise the EIN application may be delayed. Online applicants need a domestic principal place of business and the responsible party’s SSN or ITIN.
Who is the responsible party on Form SS-4?
The IRS defines the responsible party as the individual who ultimately owns or controls the entity — a natural person, not another entity (except some government cases). That person generally provides an SSN or ITIN. Your registered agent company is not the responsible party. Changes to address or responsible party after issuance go on Form 8822-B (responsible-party changes within 60 days).
Related: physical vs mailing address · LLC annual report · virtual address · agent vs mailbox · 3-year cost · change of agent · vendor compare.
Sources
Official vendor, secretary of state, or statute pages. Third-party “best of” lists were not used. Retrieval dates are on each row.
- IRS — Get an employer identification number (free; never pay a fee; form LLC before applying; 1 EIN/day) Retrieved 2026-09-23.
- IRS — Instructions for Form SS-4 (Rev. December 2025): lines 4a–4b mailing; 5a–5b street no P.O. box; responsible party Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- IRS — Form SS-4 (Rev. December 2025) Retrieved 2026-09-23.
- Northwest — EIN / tax ID ($50 with SSN; $200 without) Retrieved 2026-09-23.
- Bizee — EIN / tax ID landing Retrieved 2026-09-23.
- Bizee — How to Obtain an EIN (standalone $70; included in Standard/Premium; IRS free) Retrieved 2026-09-23.
- Traveling Mailbox help center (08.07.2026): virtual mailbox cannot serve as RA address Retrieved 2026-08-07.
- Wyoming SOS FAQ — can I be my own registered agent (yes: 18+, reside in WY, physical WY address); registered office may not be a PO box, drop box, virtual address, mail forwarding, UPS, or FedEx (change $5) Retrieved 2026-10-12.
- Texas SOS — registered agents landing (page moved; see BOC §5.201) Retrieved 2026-10-01.