How to Call the IRS EIN Line from Outside the U.S. (Best Times by Time Zone)
Need to contact the IRS about an EIN from overseas? Find the international phone number, local calling hours, and information to prepare before calling.
- #Form SS-4
- #International EIN Application
- #IRS EIN Phone Number
If you need to call IRS from outside US EIN support, use the international EIN phone line and check the Eastern Time hours against your local clock before calling. The IRS lists 267-941-1099 for international EIN applicants, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time. The line is not toll-free.
Call IRS from outside US EIN: How to reach the international EIN line
The IRS international EIN phone number for applicants whose principal place of business is outside the United States is +1 267-941-1099. Use this line for EIN applications, not general tax account questions.
If your business's principal place of business is outside the United States and you need to apply for an EIN by phone, the IRS lists this number:
- International EIN phone line: +1 267-941-1099
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- Cost: Not toll-free. Your phone provider may charge international calling rates.
This number is for international EIN applications. For a different international business tax account question, the IRS lists a separate International Taxpayer Service number, 267-941-1000. Make sure you choose the correct line for your reason for calling.
IRS EIN phone line hours converted to your time zone
The IRS EIN office hours for international applicants are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time. Local opening and closing times vary by country and daylight-saving changes.
The IRS publishes the international EIN line hours in Eastern Time, not in UK, UAE, India, or Australian time. The table below converts the 6:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Eastern window for Friday, October 30, 2026, when the U.S. is still on Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), the UK is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), and Sydney is on Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).
| Location | IRS line opens | IRS line closes |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (London) | 10:00 a.m. | 3:00 a.m. next day |
| United Arab Emirates (Dubai) | 2:00 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. next day |
| India (New Delhi) | 3:30 p.m. | 8:30 a.m. next day |
| Australia (Sydney) | 9:00 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. next day |
Important daylight-saving note: These conversions change when the U.S., UK, or Australia changes its clocks. The U.S. changes from EDT to Eastern Standard Time (EST) on November 1, 2026. After that change, the opening and closing times shown above will be one hour later in the UK, UAE, and India, and one hour later in Sydney as well until its daylight-saving status changes. Always check a current time-zone converter before you call, especially around clock-change dates.
The closing time falls on the next local calendar day in all four locations. For example, the IRS line's Friday closing time is early Saturday morning in London, Dubai, and India, and Saturday afternoon in Sydney. The line is still closed on U.S. Saturdays and Sundays; the local Saturday closing time does not mean weekend service is available.
What are the best times to call the IRS EIN line?
If you need to call IRS EIN department from abroad, first check the published weekday hours and convert them to your local time. The line operates on U.S. Eastern Time.
The IRS publishes the hours of operation, but it does not publish a guaranteed low-wait period or official best time to call. The suggestions below are practical time-zone choices, not promises about hold times:
- From the UK: Try late morning or early afternoon local time, when the IRS line is open and it is still a normal working day.
- From the UAE: Try mid-afternoon or early evening local time.
- From India: Try late afternoon or early evening local time. The line opens in the afternoon in India.
- From Australia: The opening time may fall in the evening and the closing time the following afternoon. Plan around the local date change and avoid assuming that Saturday local time means the IRS is open.
If your call does not connect, check the number format, your carrier's international-calling restrictions, and the current IRS operating hours. The number is not toll-free, so check the cost with your provider before making a long call.
What should you have ready before calling the IRS?
Prepare your information before dialing. The IRS representative may need to ask questions about the business and the Form SS-4 application. Having the details in front of you can make the call more efficient.
- Legal name of the entity: Use the exact name shown on the LLC or corporation formation documents and on Form SS-4.
- Trade name, if any: Have the DBA or trade name available if it is different from the legal name.
- Business mailing address: Keep the full address, including postal code and country, exactly as entered on the application.
- Principal business location: Be ready to explain where the business is actually based and where its principal activity is carried out.
- Responsible party details: Have the responsible party's full legal name and the identifying information requested on Form SS-4. Do not guess or provide a number that the responsible party has not been issued.
- Entity details: Know whether the applicant is an LLC, corporation, partnership, or another entity type, and the date it was formed or acquired.
- Reason for applying: Be ready to explain why the business needs an EIN, such as starting a business, hiring employees, opening a bank account, or meeting a tax filing requirement.
- Business activity: Know the principal activity and the main goods or services the business provides.
- Form SS-4 copy: If you already completed or submitted the form, keep a copy beside you. This helps you answer questions consistently.
- Call notes: Keep a pen and paper ready to record the date, the representative's instructions, and any reference details provided.
Only the person authorized to receive the EIN and answer questions about Form SS-4 should make the application call. If a third party is involved, review the third-party designee section of the form and the limits of that authorization.
What should you say when you call?
Start by stating clearly whether you are applying for a new EIN or following up on an existing application. For a new application, you can say:
“I am calling from outside the United States to apply for an EIN for a business whose principal place of business is outside the U.S. I have the completed Form SS-4 details ready. Could you guide me through the application?”
If you already submitted Form SS-4, do not describe the call as a new application. Explain when and how you submitted it, and ask the representative to help you check the existing application. This can help avoid unnecessary duplicate submissions.
What if you cannot reach the IRS by phone?
If you cannot make the call or the phone line is unavailable, the IRS also lists fax and mail options for international EIN applicants:
- Fax from outside the United States: 304-707-9471
- Mail: Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN International Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999
Check the current IRS EIN page and Form SS-4 instructions before sending anything, because mailing and fax instructions can change. Keep a complete copy of the form and proof of transmission or mailing for your records.
If you have already applied and are waiting for a response, read our EIN delay help guide before submitting another application. If you need to send the form from abroad, see our guide on how to fax Form SS-4 from outside the U.S.
Frequently asked questions
What is the IRS phone number for an EIN if I live outside the U.S.?
The IRS lists +1 267-941-1099 for international EIN applicants. The line operates Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time. It is not toll-free.
Can I call the IRS EIN line on Saturday?
No. The published international EIN phone hours are Monday through Friday. If the converted closing time appears on Saturday in your country, that is the end of Friday's U.S. service window, not Saturday service.
Is the international EIN phone line free?
No. The IRS lists 267-941-1099 as a non-toll-free number. Your telephone provider may charge for the international call.
Can I get an EIN by phone if I am not in the United States?
International applicants whose principal place of business is outside the United States can apply by phone using the international EIN line. The person calling must be authorized to receive the EIN and answer questions about Form SS-4.
Is 267-941-1099 the same as 267-941-1000?
No. The IRS lists 267-941-1099 for international EIN applications. It lists 267-941-1000 for international taxpayer account questions. Choose the number that matches your issue.
Final thoughts
When you need to call IRS from outside US EIN support, use the international EIN number, 267-941-1099, and convert the published Eastern Time hours to your local time before dialing. Have your Form SS-4 details ready, confirm whether you are making a new application or following up, and keep a record of the call.
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