Context

Some businesses may want to open an account before receiving their official EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS, or they may have applied for an EIN but haven't received the official confirmation letter yet. This commonly happens with new businesses or those referred from services like Stripe Atlas.

Answer

Yes, you can proceed with opening a business account even if you don't have your official EIN letter yet. Here's how to handle different EIN situations:

If you have applied for an EIN but haven't received the official letter:

1. Upload your SS-4 confirmation letter (the EIN application confirmation from the IRS) as a placeholder

2. You can use the EIN number from your SS-4 application in the tax ID field during signup

3. Provide the official EIN letter within 60 days of opening the account

If you don't have an EIN at all:

As an LLC or corporation, you'll need an EIN to open a business account, even if you don't have employees. This is required for verification and tax reporting purposes.

1. Apply for an EIN through the IRS website (it's free and quick)

2. Upload the SS-4 confirmation letter you receive after applying

3. Use the EIN number from your application in the tax ID field

4. Provide the official EIN letter once you receive it from the IRS

If you can't proceed with the application form:

If the application form requires a tax ID and you're having trouble entering your information, you can upload a placeholder file (like a blank document) in the EIN letter section to complete that step, then provide the actual documentation later.

Note: You must provide the official EIN documentation within 60 days of account opening to maintain compliance.