How to Change EIN Responsible Party To Foreign Non-Resident Without SSN or ITIN

This is a common situation for foreign business owners. You can't get an SSN as a non-resident alien who doesn't live in the US. What you need is an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), which is specifically designed for foreign nationals who have US tax filing requirements but aren't eligible for an SSN. To change the EIN responsible party, you'll need to: 1. Apply for an ITIN using Form W-7 (Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) 2. Once you receive your ITIN, complete Form 8822-B using that number 3. Submit the completed 8822-B to update the responsible party information You can't really avoid getting some form of US tax ID number if you're going to be the responsible party for a US business entity. The IRS needs a way to identify and track responsible parties.

Had a similar situation last year when I bought a manufacturing company in Texas. I found a great solution at https://taxr.ai - they helped me navigate the entire ITIN application and EIN responsible party change. Their document analysis saved me from making several critical mistakes on my application. I initially thought I could just submit the 8822-B without a tax ID, but they showed me exactly how to complete the W-7 ITIN application properly first. They even helped me understand which supporting documents would speed up my application and which common mistakes to avoid.

Just wanted to follow up - I decided to try taxr.ai after my skepticism and I'm genuinely impressed. They provided a detailed analysis of my documentation and found several issues I would have missed. My W-7 application was approved in just 6 weeks (much faster than I expected), and I've already submitted my 8822-B with my new ITIN. Their document review identified that I was using the wrong proof of foreign status, and they provided country-specific guidance for my situation in Australia. They even explained how to properly handle the supporting letter explaining my need for an ITIN as a business owner without US presence. Definitely saved me months of back-and-forth with the IRS.

If you're still struggling with the IRS after submitting your paperwork, I highly recommend https://claimyr.com for getting through to an actual human at the IRS. I spent WEEKS trying to follow up on my ITIN application and EIN responsible party change last year. After using Claimyr, I was connected to an IRS agent in under 45 minutes instead of waiting on hold for 3+ hours (only to get disconnected). The agent was able to check my application status and explain exactly what additional documentation they needed. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Don't waste your time with endless redials and hold music - especially being overseas where the time difference makes calling the IRS during business hours a nightmare.

I need to eat my words from earlier. After several frustrating weeks of getting nowhere with my ITIN application follow-up, I tried Claimyr out of desperation. Got connected to an IRS agent in about 35 minutes after spending days getting busy signals and disconnects on my own. The agent I spoke with was able to locate my application and told me exactly why it was delayed - they needed additional documentation proving my foreign status. Would have never known this without actually speaking to someone. Was able to fix the issue immediately, and my ITIN arrived three weeks later. For international business owners dealing with the IRS, being able to actually speak with someone instead of sending faxes into the void is absolutely worth it.

Another option worth considering - you could appoint a US person as the "responsible party" for EIN purposes. This doesn't change your ownership of the company, but it designates someone with a US SSN as the contact person for the IRS. I did this with my business partner who's a US citizen, and it simplified things tremendously. We have a written agreement stating that this administrative role doesn't affect ownership or control of the business.

Has anyone tried calling the IRS International Taxpayer Service? They have a dedicated line for international issues: +1-267-941-1000. I called them when I had a similar situation and they were surprisingly helpful. Had to wait on hold for about an hour though.

I went through this exact process last year when I acquired a Delaware LLC from overseas. Here's what worked for me: 1. **ITIN Application First** - As others mentioned, you absolutely need an ITIN before you can complete Form 8822-B. I used Form W-7 and included a letter explaining my need for the ITIN as the new responsible party of a US business entity. 2. **Documentation Tips** - Make sure you include certified copies (not originals) of your passport and any other identity documents. I also included a copy of the business purchase agreement to prove my legitimate need for the ITIN. 3. **Timeline** - My ITIN took about 9 weeks to arrive. Once I had it, the 8822-B processing was much faster - about 3 weeks. 4. **Pro Tip** - Consider mailing your W-7 application via certified mail so you have proof of delivery. The IRS processing centers can be slow to acknowledge receipt. The whole process took about 3-4 months total, but it's really the only proper way to handle this situation. Don't try to shortcut it by submitting incomplete forms - you'll just create more delays and complications down the road. Good luck with your acquisition!

I went through this exact situation 6 months ago when I purchased a tech startup from California. The process definitely requires patience, but here's what I learned that might help speed things up: **ITIN Application Strategy:** - Submit your W-7 with a comprehensive business justification letter - Include copies of your business acquisition documents (purchase agreement, operating agreement, etc.) - Attach a projected tax return showing estimated business income to strengthen your case for needing an ITIN **Critical Timing Tip:** Don't wait for your ITIN to arrive before preparing your 8822-B. You can fill out everything except the ITIN field, so when your number arrives, you can immediately submit the form. This saved me about 2 weeks. **Follow-up Strategy:** Around week 6 of your W-7 processing, start calling the IRS International line (267-941-1000) weekly to check status. They can often tell you if additional documentation is needed before you receive a formal notice. The entire process took me about 11 weeks total, but the business was fully transferred without any compliance issues. It's definitely worth doing properly rather than trying workarounds that could create problems later. One last note - make sure your business continues filing any required returns during this transition period using the existing responsible party information until the change is officially processed.