Can I Submit SS-4 Form with Electronic Signature? Need urgent advice!

I work with foreign businesses setting up US operations, and this is a common issue. The IRS has been expanding which forms can use electronic signatures, but SS-4 has some specific requirements. Technically, SS-4 isn't on the official list of forms that can use electronic signatures. However, there's a workaround many businesses use. You can complete Form SS-4, sign it electronically, and then fax it to the IRS at 855-641-6935. Many of my clients have had success with this method, though the IRS doesn't officially endorse it. If you're concerned, you can also mail the form with a wet signature to be absolutely certain. Since your principal business is outside the US, you're right that you can't use the online application. In this case, your options are faxing the form or mailing it. The fax method is much faster - typically 4-6 business days versus several weeks for mail.

I was in this exact situation two months ago with my consulting business that operates between US and Singapore. I wasted so much time trying to figure this out until I found this AI tool called taxr.ai that literally saved me hours of research. I uploaded the SS-4 form and all my documentation, and it analyzed everything and confirmed that yes, I could use an electronic signature and explained exactly how to format it for acceptance. https://taxr.ai even provided a template for the cover letter to accompany the form. The tool analyzes all your specific tax form questions against the latest IRS guidelines and gives you definitive answers. Saved me from making mistakes that would have delayed my EIN by weeks.

Wanted to follow up about that taxr.ai tool mentioned earlier. I was really skeptical at first but decided to try it for my own SS-4 situation (I'm expanding my business to Canada but based in the US). The guidance was surprisingly detailed and up-to-date. It identified that I could use an e-signature when faxing, but I needed to include specific language in a cover letter explaining the international business circumstances. Got my EIN back in 4 days with no issues! The tool even flagged a mistake I almost made on line 7a that would have definitely caused a rejection. Worth checking out if you're dealing with any unusual business registration situations.

I tried for WEEKS to call the IRS about this exact issue and could never get through. Always got disconnected or had to wait 3+ hours. Finally used Claimyr https://claimyr.com and they got me connected to an actual IRS business entity specialist in about 20 minutes. The agent confirmed that while e-signatures aren't officially supported for SS-4, they are accepting them if faxed with proper documentation during this period of increased international applications. You can see how the service works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - they essentially hold your place in line and call you back when an agent is available. Saved me from the endless hold music nightmare!

I need to eat my words about Claimyr. After posting my skeptical comment, I was still stuck trying to get an answer about my own SS-4 situation (different from OP but also couldn't use online app). After trying for TWO DAYS to reach someone at the IRS, I broke down and tried the service. Got connected to an IRS business specialist in about 30 minutes who confirmed that yes, they're currently accepting e-signatures on SS-4 forms as long as they're faxed with a cover letter explaining the circumstances. The agent even gave me the direct fax number to use. I would have spent another week trying to get this information without the service. Sometimes being wrong feels pretty good!

Just a data point - I submitted my SS-4 with DocuSign signature last month for my UK-based business expanding to US. Faxed it in and got my EIN letter 5 business days later with no issues. Make sure you include all the required info about the Responsible Party clearly, as that seems to be what causes most rejections.

Has anyone tried calling the international IRS number instead? +1-267-941-1099 is supposed to be specifically for international EIN requests. I've had much better luck getting through on that line than the domestic numbers.

Based on all the responses here, it sounds like you have several viable options for your SS-4 situation! The consensus seems to be that while electronic signatures aren't officially supported, they are being accepted when faxed with proper documentation. Here's what I'd recommend based on everyone's experiences: 1. **Fax method with e-signature**: Complete your SS-4, sign it electronically (DocuSign works fine), and fax to 855-641-6935 with a cover letter explaining your international business circumstances. 2. **International phone line**: Try calling +1-267-941-1099 - this seems to be the fastest option if you can get through. They can process it over the phone and email confirmation immediately. 3. **Cover letter is key**: Multiple people mentioned including a brief explanation about why you're using an electronic signature due to international logistics. Given your urgency for the banking relationship, I'd try the international phone line first, then fall back to the fax method if you can't get through. The phone processing seems to be the fastest based on Miguel's experience. Good luck with your business setup!

As someone who just went through this exact process last month with my tech startup (US operations but founders based in Europe), I can confirm that electronic signatures are working for SS-4 forms when faxed properly. Here's what worked for me: I used Adobe Sign to electronically sign the SS-4, included a one-page cover letter explaining that I was using an electronic signature due to being overseas, and faxed everything to 855-641-6935. Got my EIN confirmation in 6 business days. The key details that seemed to help: - Made sure all required fields were completely filled out (especially the Responsible Party section) - Used a clear, professional electronic signature - Kept the cover letter brief but explained the international circumstances - Included my passport copy as ID verification One thing I learned from my lawyer: the IRS has been much more flexible about electronic signatures since COVID, especially for international applicants who can't reasonably get wet signatures. While it's not officially documented everywhere, the practical reality is they're accepting them. Since you need this urgently for banking, I'd also suggest trying the international phone line (+1-267-941-1099) as others mentioned - that might be even faster than faxing. Either way, you should have your EIN within a week if everything is filled out correctly.

I went through this exact same process three weeks ago for my German consulting firm's US expansion. After reading all the helpful responses here, I can add one more data point that might be useful. I initially tried the international phone line (+1-267-941-1099) but couldn't get through after multiple attempts over two days. So I went with the fax method using DocuSign for the electronic signature. However, I made one crucial addition that I think helped speed things up - I included a brief business plan summary (just one page) explaining our US operations and why we needed the EIN urgently. The IRS not only accepted the electronically signed SS-4 but actually processed it faster than expected - I got my EIN letter in just 4 business days. My theory is that providing context about the legitimate business need helped them prioritize the application. For anyone in a similar situation, I'd recommend trying the phone line first (as others suggested), but if that doesn't work, the fax method with electronic signature is definitely reliable. Just make sure to include that cover letter explaining your international circumstances - it seems to make a real difference in processing time. Good luck with your banking setup! The EIN process was honestly the easiest part of establishing our US operations.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation for my Canadian manufacturing business expanding to the US, and I was completely lost on the SS-4 electronic signature question. Based on all the experiences shared here, it sounds like the fax method with electronic signature is pretty reliable. I'm particularly interested in what Drew mentioned about including a business plan summary - that seems like a smart way to provide context and potentially speed up processing. One question I have that I don't think was fully addressed: has anyone had experience with the IRS asking for additional documentation after submitting with an electronic signature? I want to make sure I include everything upfront to avoid delays. Also, for those who successfully used the international phone line (+1-267-941-1099), what time of day did you have the best luck getting through? I'm wondering if there are certain hours when it's less busy. Thanks to everyone for sharing their real experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical information that's impossible to find in official IRS documentation!

I just went through this exact same process for my Singapore-based fintech company's US expansion, and I can confirm that the electronic signature approach absolutely works for SS-4 forms when done correctly. Here's what I learned from my successful experience last month: **What worked for me:** - Used HelloSign to create a clear electronic signature on the SS-4 - Included a professional cover letter explaining that I was overseas and needed to use an electronic signature for logistical reasons - Faxed everything to 855-641-6935 in one transmission - Got my EIN confirmation in exactly 5 business days **Key details that seemed important:** - Made sure the Responsible Party section was completely accurate (this seems to be where most rejections happen) - Included a copy of my passport for identity verification - Added a brief paragraph about our US business activities and why we needed the EIN urgently - Used clear, legible fonts and made sure the signature looked professional **Pro tip:** The IRS business entity specialists I spoke to informally mentioned that they're being much more flexible with electronic signatures for international applicants, especially post-COVID. While it's not officially documented everywhere, the practical reality is that they're accepting them consistently. Since you mentioned needing this for banking relationships, I'd suggest trying both approaches simultaneously if you're really pressed for time - attempt the international phone line (+1-267-941-1099) in the morning EST, but also prepare and fax your SS-4 as backup. That way you're covered either way. The banking setup process after getting your EIN is actually more involved than the EIN application itself, so getting this sorted quickly will definitely help your timeline. Good luck!

I'm dealing with the exact same situation right now for my UK-based consulting firm! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful. It's reassuring to see so many successful experiences with electronic signatures on SS-4 forms. Based on everyone's feedback, I'm planning to try the international phone line first (+1-267-941-1099) early morning EST, and if that doesn't work, I'll go with the fax method using DocuSign. The consensus seems clear that electronic signatures are being accepted consistently when properly documented. One thing that stood out to me from all these responses is how important the cover letter seems to be. I'm going to follow Riya's example with the professional wording about the electronic signature having the same legal effect. Also planning to include my passport copy and a brief business overview like several others mentioned. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - this is exactly what I needed to move forward confidently. It's frustrating that the IRS website doesn't make this clearer, but at least we have this community knowledge to rely on! I'll report back on how it goes for anyone else in a similar situation.

I just successfully completed this exact process two weeks ago for my Irish software company's US expansion! After reading through all these helpful experiences, I wanted to add my own data point since it aligns perfectly with what everyone else is saying. I ended up using the fax method with DocuSign after trying the international phone line for three days without success (though I may have been calling at suboptimal times). Here's what worked for me: **My approach:** - Electronically signed the SS-4 using DocuSign with a handwritten-style signature - Included a brief, professional cover letter explaining the electronic signature due to international logistics - Added my passport copy (just a regular scan, no notarization) - Faxed everything to 855-641-6935 in one transmission **Results:** - Received my EIN letter in exactly 6 business days - No additional documentation requests from the IRS - No issues when setting up our US business bank account The cover letter language that worked for me was similar to what Riya suggested - I stated that the electronic signature was due to being overseas and had the same legal intent as a handwritten signature. What really struck me reading through this thread is how consistent everyone's positive experiences have been with the electronic signature approach. It seems like the IRS has adapted well to international business needs, even if their official documentation hasn't caught up yet. For anyone still hesitating - based on all the experiences shared here, you can move forward confidently with the electronic signature method. The key seems to be proper documentation and a professional presentation of your circumstances.

Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly reassuring! I'm in a very similar situation with my Netherlands-based consulting business expanding to the US, and I was really stressed about the signature requirements. Based on everyone's success stories, I'm going to go with the electronic signature fax method. The consistency of positive results across so many different international situations gives me confidence this is the right approach. One quick question for those who've been through this - did anyone include any specific business registration documents from their home country (like chamber of commerce certificates) or did you stick to just the passport copy for identity verification? I have my Dutch KvK registration readily available but don't want to overcomplicate things if it's not necessary. Also, @480c2ca235f2 (Mei Liu) - since you're the original poster, I'm curious if you've decided which approach to take based on all this feedback? The international phone line early morning EST seems like it might be worth trying first given your urgency. Thanks everyone for sharing such detailed real-world experiences. This community knowledge is invaluable!

I just want to thank everyone who contributed to this thread - as someone who's been lurking here trying to figure out the same SS-4 electronic signature question for my Canadian e-commerce business, this has been incredibly valuable! The consistency of successful experiences across so many different countries (UK, Ireland, Australia, Singapore, Netherlands, Germany) really demonstrates that the IRS is practically accepting electronic signatures for international SS-4 applications, even if it's not clearly stated in their official documentation. What I found most helpful was seeing the specific approaches that worked: - DocuSign/HelloSign with handwritten-style signatures - Professional cover letters explaining international logistics - Passport copies for ID verification - Faxing to 855-641-6935 - International phone line (+1-267-941-1099) as first option The processing times of 4-6 business days that most people reported are also really encouraging for those of us with tight deadlines. For anyone else reading this thread in the future - it seems like the electronic signature fax method is a reliable backup plan, but definitely try the international phone line first during early morning EST hours if you need faster results. This kind of real-world community knowledge sharing is exactly why forums like this are so valuable when official government guidance falls short!

This has been an incredibly thorough and helpful discussion! As someone who's worked in international business compliance for several years, I wanted to add a few additional considerations that might help @480c2ca235f2 and others in similar situations. The electronic signature acceptance for SS-4 forms that everyone has documented here aligns with what I've seen in practice. The IRS has been quietly more flexible with international applications since COVID, though they haven't updated all their official guidance to reflect this reality. A couple of additional tips based on my experience helping clients with similar situations: **Timing strategy**: If you're trying the international phone line (+1-267-941-1099), Tuesday-Thursday mornings 8-10 AM EST typically have the shortest wait times. Avoid Mondays and Fridays if possible. **Documentation backup**: Keep a detailed record of your submission (fax confirmation, dates, reference numbers) in case you need to follow up. The IRS occasionally loses paperwork, and having documentation helps expedite reprocessing. **Banking preparation**: While waiting for your EIN, start gathering other documents your bank will need (business formation documents, beneficial ownership information, etc.). The EIN is often just one piece of a longer account opening process. The success rate everyone has reported here with the electronic signature method is really encouraging. It shows that while the official process might seem unclear, the practical implementation is working well for international applicants who document their circumstances properly. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - this kind of community knowledge is invaluable for navigating these bureaucratic processes!

This thread has been absolutely incredible - thank you to everyone who shared their detailed experiences! As someone currently going through this exact situation with my French tech startup's US expansion, reading all these success stories has given me the confidence to move forward. What really stands out to me is how consistent the results have been across so many different countries and business types. The fact that everyone who used the electronic signature fax method got their EIN approved (with processing times of 4-6 business days) shows this is clearly a reliable approach, even if the IRS website doesn't explicitly state it. I'm planning to follow the proven formula that's emerged from this discussion: 1. Try the international phone line (+1-267-941-1099) first, calling Tuesday-Thursday 8-10 AM EST 2. If that doesn't work, fax electronically signed SS-4 to 855-641-6935 with professional cover letter explaining international circumstances 3. Include passport copy and keep detailed records of submission The banking preparation advice from LunarLegend is also really valuable - I'll start gathering those additional documents while waiting for the EIN to avoid further delays in account opening. For @480c2ca235f2 (Mei Liu) - based on all this feedback, it seems like you have multiple proven paths forward for your urgent situation. The international phone line might be your fastest option given the banking deadline, with the fax method as a reliable backup. This community knowledge sharing is exactly what makes these forums so valuable when official guidance falls short!