Shopify Payments without Social Security Number (SSN)

[Sergio_Bravo]

Hi everybody!

Is it possible to use Shopify Payments without having a Social Security Number (SSN)? I was able to set up Paypal and Amazon Pay express checkout but can't manage to set up Shopify Payments as I'm not a resident neither born in the US...

I've read some articles about creating an LLC and getting a EIN, but I want to make sure this works before going ahead with it.

Appreciate Y'all.

[Victoria]

Hi, @Sergio_Bravo.

Welcome to the Shopify Community and thank you for sharing your question here.

Could you let us know where you're based and what issues you're currently running into while setting up Shopify Payments? Shopify Payments is available only to stores in certain countries. Our Supported Countries for Shopify Payments lists what countries are eligible. If the country you're based in is listed, I recommend clicking on it to see the specific requirements.

In regard to not having an SSN, I encourage you to contact our support team to take a look at your account as specific documents may be requested. Our team will need to review your account and documents for Shopify Payments. To create a support request, head to the Shopify Help Center and follow the prompts to view our available support options. 

I'd also love to hear what else you're working on with your store. Have you already added your products and launched your store? I'll be happy to share applicable resources to assist you depending on what you're working on. 

[Sergio_Bravo]

Hi Victoria!

Thank you for your reply. I'm still a bit confused whether I will be able to connect Shopify Payments or not. If I own an LLC + EIN, will I be able to accept payments through Shopify Payments in my USA store even though I'm not a resident of the United States?

I would like to know in what cases will my application get denied. I'm able to get a LLC with an EIN, however my country of residency is not listed in Shopify Payments compatible countries. 

Best regards, 

Sergio.

[Victoria]

Thanks for your reply, @Sergio_Bravo.

If you're located outside of the USA and you'd like to set up a Shopify Payments account in the USA, you'll need to confirm you have a US tax ID and your business has physical operations on US soil.

In addition to those requirements, you will require all of the following to be considered:

• Government-issued photo ID (driver's licence, passport, etc. A non-US ID may be accepted)
• A Tax ID in the United States: EIN if you own an LLC/Corp.
• Business registration document (Registered in the US with the government)
  
• Proof that your business is actually operating from the US. This can include tracking showing you are shipping from the US or proof of a physical US address (not a forwarding address.)
  
• A USD checking account, opened with a real US banking institution, located on US soil.
• Virtual banks and currency services will not work for this, it has to be a real US bank.
  

Through our community forums, we are not able to determine the status of your Shopify Payments account. However, I encourage you to reach out to our support team via the Shopify Help Center so our team can review once your account has been authenticated.

[Mukuna]

Hello Victoria, 

As NRA, Non Resident Alien we don't fall into this category as long as we don't have a physical presence in the US, like renting a warehouse under our business or personal name. We only operate through Third party companies. In this case we must provide you with the W-8 BEN form especially for us the NRAs, it's 100% legal.

Form W-8BEN

Form W-8BEN ("Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting") must be submitted by foreign persons who receive certain types of income in the United States. The form, sometimes referred to as a "certificate of foreign status," establishes that the individual is both a foreign person and the owner of the business in question.6

******

Can you check please

[Victoria]

Hi, @Mukuna 

Thanks for reaching out to the Shopify Community. 

We noticed that you included personal information in your post so I've gone ahead and removed it for privacy and security reasons. In the future, if you notice you have included personal information in your post, you can click the 3 dots next to your post, and select Edit message to remove this information. Please note that there is a 2-hour window once you've published your post to edit it.

I'll share a screenshot below of how to do this.

For further clarification on what documents are accepted for Shopify Payments, I recommend reaching out to our support team through the Shopify Help Center. This process will ensure your account is authenticated and our support team can safely access any necessary information. When navigating the help center, log into your store, select a topic and on the following page, our support options will be displayed.

[neelprasad2008]

Hello!

I am not a US citizen but currently living under conditions where I cannot make money from one source other than my job. However, I am a citizen of another country. Would it be possible to connect the bank account overseas to Shopify and transfer the money there in USD and not provide the SSN?

[Victoria]

Hi, @neelprasad2008.

Welcome to the Shopify Community and thanks for joining the thread!

I understand you're not a U.S. citizen, are located in a different country/region and looking to use Shopify Payments without obtaining an SSN. US merchants (using US Shopify Payments) are required to provide all 9 digits of their SSN/ITIN as verification, even if they have an EIN for their business. You can find more information on this through the U.S Shopify Payments Terms of Service: Section B-3. 

Shopify Payments accounts are region specific and there are certain conditions that will need to be met for each region. To investigate this further, I would contact our support via the Shopify Help Center so our team can advise accordingly. 

Additionally, you should also consult with a tax advisor or specialist to understand the tax implications of receiving payments in USD from Shopify in your country. Countries have different tax laws and regulations, and you may need to report these payments and pay taxes accordingly.

I hope this helps!

[Mukuna]

Hello,

Could you tell me if I should register my website on Shopify France or the
USA ?

Important : I buy from the US and sell within the US.
I just want to know what works for you, I already have a US company but I
can register a French company if needed so that my US Clients can find me
easily and that I can get paid.

Best regards

[Victoria]

Hi, @Mukuna.

Thanks for joining the thread and sharing your questions.

As mentioned above, Shopify Payments accounts are region specific and there are certain conditions that will need to be met for each region. I would encourage you to reach out to our support team to discuss this further as there may be additional documents/information required. To learn more about the requirements for each country/region check out our help center resource. You can create a support request via the Shopify Help Center so that your account is authenticated and our team can proceed further. 

If you have any non-account-specific questions or would like tailored feedback for your business, feel free to share them here. 

[AC15]

Hi @Victoria  

I have question regarding Shopify payments or payment gateway.

I do reside in the USA but I don't have a SSN, however I do have a ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). 

My question would be, if I could put my Individual ITIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) in the part where it says SSN as a replacement in Shopify payments or do I have to  find another payment gateway? and if that's the case what payment gateway would you recommend?

[Victoria]

Hi, @AC15.

Thanks for sharing your question here.

As per our Shopify Payments Terms of Service - United States, U.S merchants are required to provide all 9 digits of their SSN/ITIN as verification. You should be able to submit your ITIN in place for your SSN. 

[Juan35]

Hi Victoria, I am in the same situation, but I have all the requirements.  Where can we submit our LLC, business registration, EIN, phisical address in the US, etc.?

[Victoria]

Hi, @Juan35.

Welcome to the community and thanks for joining the thread.

As shared above, our Shopify Payments Terms of Service - United States, requires U.S merchants to provide all 9 digits of their SSN/ITIN as verification. If you don't have an SSN, you should be able to submit your ITIN in place for your SSN. 

This information can be submitted when onboarding to Shopify Payments. If you have issues submitting this information, please connect with a member of our internal team via the Shopify Help Center.

[budmann]

Hi Victoria

Proof that your business is actually operating from the US. This can include tracking showing you are shipping from the US or proof of a physical US address (not a forwarding address.)

• I have a physical address of registered agent I used to open LLC and a virtual Address - which one should I use?
  

 A USD checking account, opened with a real US banking institution, located on US soil.

• I have Mercury and WISE, which one do you accept?

Virtual banks and currency services will not work for this, it has to be a real US bank.

• I have Mercury and WISE, which one do you accept?

[SalesTaxSupport]

Sergio, 

Yes, you need to establish an operational presence (plus a real US bank account, which requires travel and both a business and personal utility bill (an expensive process), which means either leasing or owning a warehouse in the name of your US LLC. Shopify Payments needs to verify your presence to reduce its risk. Here is a good article that goes into more detail: https://nvinc.com/shopify-payments-u-s-for-non-resident-sellers-a-step-by-step-guide/ 

[Salman01]

Hi, Victoria, I want to get a USA LLC with EIN and ITIN, I am from Pakistan and I  have opened my Shopify store in US. I needed LLc with EIN ITIN. My question is I want to get a PayPal business account and I want to know  PayPal do they require proof identity too like national id. I have a Pakistani ID. In that case will I be accepted. Based on people opening US LLC from all over the World including from countries where PayPal is not available I don't think it should be a problem? Secondly when we form An LLC do we get a physical address and bank account in a physical bank in USA when we get our LLC from some online popular agents working like tailor brands, doola etc. do PayPal requires ITIN ? Or they require only EIN to open a business PayPal account? And how will I know how much tax I have to collect for each certain product I sell? 

[Victoria]

Hi @Salman01.

Welcome to the Shopify Community, and thanks for joining the thread.

For your first question, regarding a USA LLC with an EIN or ITIN, while it may be possible, it's important to consult with a legal professional or business advisor. You'll want to ensure compliance with all the necessary regulations and to understand any specific requirements.

As far as PayPal requiring proof of identity, their verification process is designed to help safeguard your financial information. They may request for additional identification documents, such as a photo identification and others, in order to validate your identity. This is mentioned in PayPal's Help Center resource.

In regard to obtaining an LLC, you asked if you'll need to get a physical address and bank account. Specific requirements and procedures may vary depending on the state and bank you choose. It's advisable to consult with legal and financial professionals or contact the bank directly to understand the exact process and documentation needed to open a bank account etc.

Based on this PayPal resource, it looks as though a TIN, EIN, or ITIN may be required. This is to ensure payment information is accurately reported. If you have additional questions on this process, I encourage you to contact PayPal Support directly.

Lastly, tax collection on Shopify depends on your location and product type. You're responsible for setting the correct rates. We have some resources to assist you with the setup that I'll share below. 

Tax resources on Shopify:

• Shopify Tax
• General tax set-up steps
• Taxes

I hope this helps!

[Zubairshah]

Hi Victoria,

I hope you’re doing well. I have recently filed for an LLC in the USA and successfully obtained both an EIN and an ITIN. However, I don't reside in the US. I have met all the necessary requirements, such as securing a US Business address and opening bank accounts. I am using a registry agent's virtual address, and any mail I receive will be faxed to me at my location.

Given these circumstances, I have a few questions:

1. Since I will not be available at the business address provided and will be operating from Pakistan, will there be any verification requirements at my business address? I will only have a unique business address in the US for my LLC.

2. If I don't live in the USA, will I also be required to provide proof of residential address, or will the registry agent address work? Are there any other proofs or documents you might need?

3. Regarding Shopify Payments, will my payments be processed smoothly, or is there a risk that my payments might get held due to my non-resident status?

Any insights or advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[Victoria]

Hi there, @Zubairshah.

Welcome to the Shopify Community, and thank you for joining the thread.

In response to regulations in different countries, you're required to provide information about you and your business. The information is collected to help identify merchants using Shopify Payments, including the beneficial owners of a particular corporate entity. As local rules and regulations evolve, our team might contact you to collect additional information about you and your business. These standard reviews can occur at any time during the lifespan of your Shopify Payments account. You can find more context on the specific requirements in our Help Center resource.

In regard to your last question, our Community team is unable to determine if there will be any risks or holds on your Shopify Payments account. For account-specific queries, your best option is to contact our authenticated Support team via the Shopify Help Center. 

[Jhenn]

Hello Victoria, I can see you work for Shopify, and understand about ITIn number, I have been trying to add my itin number at my Shopify store and it do not allow me, I am on it 3 days and none of the Shopify professionals understand how can help me, let me see if you see my comment and maybe you who understand about itin number, can help to setup my store. 
Please Victoria! 

[Juan35]

It's July 1st 2023 and I cannot set up the payments without a SSN. I do not have a SSN but I have a EIN. Can someone start a Shopify account with a SSN?

[yow_altuf_offic]

I'm non-USA residents, haven't SSN number, but I'am startup Retailer career in Shopify and via the connect to Facebook and Instagram, Shopify payment is must have SSN number

Please Solve the problem 

[Victoria]

Hi, @yow_altuf_offic.

Welcome to the Shopify Community.

I would like to advise that Shopify Payments account requirements are region specific. In order to be eligible, you will need to provide valid personal and business registration information for the region you sign up for. You can find what information is required for Shopify Payments here.

[Aqibhussain]

Can You Tell Me How Can I Add My Shopify Payment Gateway without SSN And I have A EIN But I Don't Have a SSN So Please Tell How can Solve This Issues 

[Victoria]

Hi, @Aqibhussain.

Welcome to the Shopify Community, and thanks for joining the thread.

Could you confirm where you're based?

If you're based in the U.S. and using Shopify Payments, you're required to provide all 9 digits of your ITIN as verification, even if you have an EIN for your business. You can refer to the US Shopify Payment Terms of Service: Section B-3 for any legal related inquiries surrounding this topic.

[muhammadameen]

Hello Victoria,

I am from Central Asia, but I have a virtual US address in Texas, also getting US phone number but to activate my Shopify Payments as an individual type of business I need the SSN after all but I don’t know how to get it or can I go ahead without it as a non US resident?

I would like to sell in the US from the US but can’t go beyond Shopify Payments which, by the way, I need in the US especially.

I hope you can assist me with my matter.

Thank you beforehand.

[Victoria]

Hi, @muhammadameen.

Welcome to the Shopify Community, and thanks for being part of the thread.

As per our Shopify Payments Terms of Service, an individual person's details are required for every Shopify Payments account. US merchants (using US Shopify Payments) are required to provide all 9 digits of their SSN/ITIN as verification. There is no way to bypass this step on sign up.

If you're not a U.S. citizen or do not have the required information, a manual review will need to be conducted by our team. You can contact our support team through the Shopify Help Center.

Let us know if you have any questions! 

[david123123123]

Shopify Payments typically requires a Social Security Number (SSN) for identity verification, which can be a barrier for some users. However, alternatives exist for those who prefer not to provide their SSN. You can explore using a business entity like an LLC or corporation, which may allow you to use an Employer Identification Number (EIN) instead. Additionally, some third-party payment processors can be integrated with Shopify, offering more flexible options. If you need to apply for an SSN or get information, you can visit www.sss.gov online. Always ensure you're compliant with local regulations and Shopify's policies when choosing your payment method.

[KalibriseAgency]

So, as a conclusion, for non-US residents, it is possible to provide EIN instead of SSN/ITIN if you dont have it currently.

And i want to say that many merchants from Turkey are doing it like this, and they can recieve payments. 

@Victoria pls correct me if that's wrong,

It is not a complete solution. But while waiting for the ITIN, you can immedeiately start selling in the U.S. becasue ataining ITIN can take 5-6 months. 

AGAIN Pls correct me if i am wrong...