Country Guide

EIN for Costa Rican Entrepreneurs

Apply for your US EIN from Costa Rica without an SSN or ITIN. ein.so handles the IRS fax filing process for Costa Rican freelancers, Amazon sellers, and business owners. $49 Standard. $97 Express.

Costa Rican entrepreneurs can get a US EIN by submitting IRS Form SS-4 by fax. Your Costa Rica passport number replaces the SSN requirement. The IRS online tool is blocked for applicants without an SSN, so the fax method is your path. ein.so prepares your SS-4, faxes it to the IRS, and delivers your EIN. Standard $49. Express $97.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica's US Business Footprint

Costa Rica has a population of 5,000,000 and a GDP of $68B. Popular for digital nomads. Costa Rican entrepreneurs expanding into the US market need an EIN to operate their US business entity legally.

| Factor | Costa Rica | United States | |--------|--------|---------------| | Business Entity | Local structures | LLC / Corporation | | Tax ID | Cedula Juridica (10 digits) | EIN (XX-XXXXXXX) | | Tax Authority | DGT | IRS | | Currency | Costa Rican Colon (CRC, ~0.0019 USD) | USD | | Population | 5,000,000 | 330M+ |

Why Costa Rican Entrepreneurs Need a US EIN

US LLC ownership — Every US LLC needs an EIN for tax filing
US bank account — Banks require EIN to open business accounts
Amazon/Shopify — Sell on US marketplaces with proper tax ID
Payment processing — PayPal, Stripe, and Payoneer require tax ID
Tax compliance — File US tax returns and Form 5472
BOI filing — Mandatory beneficial ownership report

How to Apply

How to Get an EIN From Costa Rica

Form Your US Entity

Register an LLC with a US state (Wyoming and Delaware are popular for non-residents). This gives you a US business entity that needs an EIN.

Complete Form SS-4

Fill out IRS Form SS-4 with your LLC information. Use your Costa Rica passport number on Line 7b (where it asks for SSN). Use your Costa Rica address on Line 4.

Submit by Fax or ein.so

Fax Form SS-4 to the IRS at 855-215-1627. Or use ein.so ($49) — we prepare your SS-4, fax it, and deliver your EIN by email.

Receive Your EIN

The IRS issues your EIN within 4-7 business days. Use it to open a US bank account, set up payment processing, and file taxes.

Costa Rica-Specific SS-4 Tips

| SS-4 Field | Costa Rican Entry | |-----------|-----------------| | Line 1 (Legal name) | Your US LLC name | | Line 4 (Address) | Your Costa Rica address | | Line 7a (Responsible party) | Your full name | | Line 7b (SSN/ITIN) | Your Costa Rica passport number | | Line 10 (Reason) | Started new business | | Line 16 (Country) | Costa Rica |

After EIN

After Getting Your EIN

Next Steps for Costa Rican Entrepreneurs

Open a US bank account — Mercury, Relay, and Wise accept non-resident LLC owners
File BOI report — Required for all LLCs (free at fincen.gov/boi)
Set up payment processing — Connect EIN to PayPal, Stripe, or Payoneer
File Form 5472 — Required annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
Sell on US platforms — Amazon, Shopify, Etsy

Tax Considerations

Your US LLC income may be subject to both US and Costa Rica taxes
Check if a US-Costa Rica tax treaty exists for reduced withholding
Consult a CPA experienced with Costa Rican entrepreneurs in the US
File Form 5472 annually (due April 15, extension available)

Other Country Guides

Browse all: EIN for non-residents

Apply for your EIN from Costa Rica — $49

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Costa Rican citizens get a US EIN?

Yes. Costa Rican citizens can apply for a US EIN by faxing Form SS-4 to the IRS. No SSN required. Use your Costa Rica passport number. ein.so handles the process for $49.

Do I need an SSN to get an EIN from Costa Rica?

No. Costa Rican applicants use their passport number instead of an SSN on Form SS-4 Line 7b. The IRS online tool requires SSN, so you must use the fax method.

How long does it take from Costa Rica?

Through ein.so: 4-7 business days (Standard $49) or 2-3 business days (Express $97). DIY fax: 4-7 business days. DIY phone (267-941-1099): same day but with hold times.

Can I open a US bank account from Costa Rica?

Yes. With your EIN and LLC documents, you can open accounts at Mercury, Relay, and Wise remotely. Some banks require in-person visits. Your EIN is the first requirement.

What is the EIN equivalent in Costa Rica?

The Costa Rica equivalent of a US EIN is the Cedula Juridica (10 digits), issued by DGT. Your Cedula Juridica has no standing in the US — you need a separate EIN for US business.

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