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Ask HN: How does a foreign company get a Federal Tax ID?
I am trying to setup a bank account and such, in the US, but my company is registered in Jamaica. How do I get a federal tax ID, EIN or SSN (or any combination of the above) ? Do I have to register the company in the US to be able to get those or can I do it some other way?
- cperciva 17y agoAre you sure you need a US tax ID? When I set up a bank account with Harris Bank, they sent me a US tax form and I just crossed out the relevant sections and wrote "Canadian resident", and they were satisfied with that. Of course, many banks, like many Americans, are probably not aware that there is a world outside of the US -- but the solution there is to find a better bank. :-)
- marcamillion 17y agoIt's not so much just the banks. So far SVB sounds promising...am also investigating other banks. But I just reached out to Braintree and they plainly told me I had to have a US Bank account + Federal Tax ID. So I am trying to do a little research. Plus...businesses in general tend to ask for that...so I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
- jacquesm 17y agoBeware that you don't get classed as having a US business presence, that could cost you dearly.
- marcamillion 17y agoI was thinking about that. If I file a W-9, I will have to pay taxes in the US...won't I? I want to pay taxes in Jamaica, not the US. How do I achieve that?
- pseingatl 17y agoFile an IRS W-9 form, you can do it over the phone by calling the 800 number. Tell them you expect to have a U.S. tax liability and that's why you need the number.
- marcamillion 17y agoLooking at the W-9 form now, it says that I need a TIN (or SSN). Won't they ask me for a SSN over the phone? I don't have one that allows me to work in the US.