An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is the IRS's nine-digit number for people who need to file US taxes but aren't eligible for a Social Security number. If you hold an ITIN, you can still start, own, and run a US business — the two numbers serve different purposes, and the ITIN is enough for a great deal of business activity.
ITIN vs. SSN: what the numbers do
| SSN | ITIN | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Social Security Administration | IRS (via Form W-7) |
| For | US citizens, permanent residents, authorized workers | Anyone required to file US taxes who can't get an SSN |
| Used for | Taxes, employment, credit | Taxes and tax-related business filings |
| Shows | Work authorization | Nothing about immigration status |
The crucial fact: the ITIN is a tax number, not a work-authorization document. It lets you file and pay taxes, but it doesn't confer the right to work in the US. That distinction shapes what you can do with a business.
What ITIN holders can do
- Form an LLC — entity formation is open; there's no citizenship or SSN requirement.
- Get an EIN — the IRS issues EINs to ITIN holders for business tax accounts.
- Open a business bank account — many (not all) banks accept an ITIN with other ID; requirements vary.
- Own membership interests and receive distributions.
- File business tax returns — Schedule C, partnership/S-corp returns, and so on.
What requires care
- Getting paid by an employer — the SSN (or work authorization) requirement is about *employment*, which the ITIN doesn't cover. If you work for wages, your employer needs your work authorization status.
- Bank and financial apps — not every institution accepts ITINs the same way; some verification flows assume an SSN. Shop around if a bank won't work with you.
- S-Corp election — ITIN holders are not eligible to hold S-Corp shares (see our S-Corp visa guide). Stick with the LLC or C-Corp.
The EIN you need anyway
Your business runs on an EIN (Employer Identification Number) — its own tax ID — regardless of what personal number you hold:
- Getting one — apply via the IRS with the entity's formation details; your ITIN is the personal identifier on the application.
- Why it matters — you need it to open the business bank account, file business taxes, hire, and (in many cases) pay state taxes.
- It's free — EINs are issued by the IRS at no charge; never pay a third party for one.
Building the business on an ITIN
1. Form the entity. An LLC is the natural structure — open ownership, pass-through taxes, liability protection. See our LLC for visa holders guide.
2. Get the EIN. Use the LLC's formation documents and your ITIN as the responsible party's identifier.
3. Separate your money. A dedicated business account is what makes the LLC's liability protection real. Some banks onboard ITIN holders smoothly; be ready to try a couple.
4. File business taxes. The LLC's income flows to you personally (pass-through), so your ITIN is how the IRS tracks it. A CPA who handles ITIN filers is worth the fee — the first year of forms is easy to botch.
5. Stay in your visa's lanes. The ITIN authorizes tax filing, not employment. The owning-vs-working distinction from our LLC guide applies to you exactly the same.
Common questions
Can I get a credit card or business loan with an ITIN? Some lenders and credit unions serve ITIN filers (several major card issuers do). Approval depends on the lender and your other credit signals — but an ITIN alone doesn't block you everywhere.
Do I need an SSN to file my business tax return? No — the ITIN works for business filings. Just make sure your preparer knows you're an ITIN filer.
Is my ITIN my "EIN"? No — they're separate numbers. Your EIN is the business's tax ID; the ITIN is yours personally. Confusing them is a classic filing error.
Can I form an LLC without ever setting foot in the US? Often yes — see our non-resident ownership guide. Many states allow non-resident formation, and the ITIN is how you stay on the IRS's books.
The bottom line
The ITIN is a tax number, and business formation is a tax-and-state matter — which means it's the rare part of the American system that's fully open to you. Form the LLC, get your EIN, and keep your business accounts separate. The ITIN handles the personal tax layer; the EIN handles the business layer; neither requires an SSN.