How to set up Stripe for a US LLC

Stripe is how many small US businesses take card payments online. Setting it up for an LLC is straightforward if the company's documents are in order first. This guide covers what Stripe asks for, the difference for owners outside the US, and the tax side afterwards.

By Awais Jameel, Chartered Accountant. Reviewed by Muhammad Bilal, Chartered Accountant. Checked against official sources on . 3 minute read.

Short answer

To set up Stripe for a US LLC, apply as the LLC using its exact legal name and EIN, a business bank account for payouts, and details of the business and its website. Stripe also verifies the business representative. A US representative gives their SSN or ITIN; Stripe says a representative who is not a US individual and has neither can provide their local non-US tax ID and documentation instead.

At a glance

Apply as
The LLC, with its exact legal name and EIN
Payouts
To a business bank account in the LLC's name
US representative
SSN or ITIN; last four digits at onboarding, full number later
Non-US representative
Local non-US tax ID and documentation, per Stripe
Full SSN or ITIN request
At $500,000 of lifetime payment volume, for US owners
Tax forms
Form 1099-K when federal thresholds are met
How to set up Stripe for a US LLCSteps: 1. A formed LLC; 2. An EIN; 3. A business bank account; 4. A website or product page.THE PROCESS AT A GLANCEHow to set up Stripe for a US LLC1A formed LLCWith its stamped formationdocument2An EINWith the IRS confirmation ora 147C letter3A business bankaccountIn the LLC's name, forpayouts4A website or productpageShowing what you sell,prices, and your contact,refund and terms informationChecked against official sourcesTax BakersHow to set up Stripe for a US LLCSteps: 1. A formed LLC; 2. An EIN; 3. A business bank account; 4. A website or product page.THE PROCESS AT A GLANCEHow to set up Stripe for a US LLC1A formed LLCWith its stamped formation document2An EINWith the IRS confirmation or a 147C letter3A business bank accountIn the LLC's name, for payouts4A website or product pageShowing what you sell, prices, and yourcontact, refund and terms informationChecked against official sourcesTax Bakers
The process at a glance: 1. A formed LLC; 2. An EIN; 3. A business bank account; 4. A website or product page.

What do you need before applying?

  1. A formed LLC

    With its stamped formation document. See how to start an LLC.

  2. An EIN

    With the IRS confirmation or a 147C letter. See what an EIN is.

  3. A business bank account

    In the LLC's name, for payouts. See how to open a business bank account.

  4. A website or product page

    Showing what you sell, prices, and your contact, refund and terms information.

Apply in that order. A payments application with no bank account or an EIN still pending usually stalls.

What does Stripe ask for?

  • Business details: the LLC's legal name exactly as on the state filing and IRS records, its EIN, address, industry and a description of what it sells.
  • Business representative: the person opening the account, with name, date of birth, address and identity details.
  • Owners: details of owners, which Stripe must collect and verify as required by its regulators and financial partners.
  • Payout account: the business bank account.

Which tax ID does the representative give?

RepresentativeWhat Stripe says
US individual with an SSNProvide the SSN, typically the last four digits at onboarding
US individual without an SSNProvide the ITIN
Not a US individual, with no SSN or ITINProvide a local non-US tax ID and documentation confirming you are not a US taxpayer

Stripe also says that representatives and owners who gave only the last four digits of an SSN or ITIN must provide the full number when the account reaches $500,000 of lifetime payment volume. Stripe's requirements change, so check its current support pages when you apply.

What should owners outside the US expect?

An LLC owned from abroad applies the same way, with the LLC's EIN as its tax ID. Identity checks for the representative use a passport and, per Stripe, a local tax ID. Consistency matters most: the LLC's name, the EIN and the bank account must match exactly. Stripe also has its own rules on supported business types and countries, so check them before applying. See US bank accounts for non-residents.

For other ways to receive money from abroad, see receiving international payments.

What tax forms follow?

  • Form 1099-K. Payment processors report gross payments to the IRS on Form 1099-K when federal thresholds are met, and some states set lower ones. See Form 1099-K.
  • Your own return. Stripe payouts are net of fees and refunds. Record gross sales, fees and refunds separately in the books so they reconcile with any 1099-K.
  • Foreign-owned single-member LLCs still file Form 5472 for transfers between the owner and the LLC.

Why do Stripe applications get held up?

  • A business name that does not match IRS records for the EIN.
  • A website that does not show what is sold, prices or policies.
  • A business type Stripe restricts.
  • A payout account not in the LLC's name.

Many businesses also take payments through PayPal. See PayPal Business for a US LLC.

Getting ready to take payments?

We make sure your LLC, EIN and bank account are in order and consistent before you apply, so verification goes through first time.

Book a call Chat on WhatsApp

Questions people ask

Can a US LLC owned by a non-resident use Stripe?

Generally yes, applying as the LLC with its EIN. Stripe says a representative who is not a US individual and has no SSN or ITIN can provide a local non-US tax ID and documentation.

Do I need an SSN to open a Stripe account for my LLC?

A US representative provides an SSN or ITIN. A representative who is not a US individual can use a local non-US tax ID, according to Stripe.

When does Stripe ask for the full SSN?

Stripe says owners who gave only the last four digits must provide the full number at $500,000 of lifetime payment volume.

Does Stripe send a 1099-K?

When federal or state thresholds are met. The 1099-K shows gross payments, not profit.

Sources

Every fee, date and rule on this page was taken from these official and primary sources.

  1. Stripe Support: Business representative and owner tax ID requirements for US companies
  2. IRS: Understanding your Form 1099-K
  3. IRS: Get an employer identification number

Rules and fees change. If you are reading this long after September 30, 2026, confirm the figures with the source before you rely on them.

Banking and paymentsHow to open a US business bank account for your LLCFederal tax formsForm 1099-K: what it shows and how to report itBanking and paymentsHow to open a US business bank account as a non-resident

More in Banking and payments

Previous in this topicDo you need an SSN or ITIN to open a US business bank accountNext in this topicHow to set up PayPal Business for a US LLCTopicAll 11 guides in Banking and payments

This guide is general information. It is not tax or legal advice for your situation.