hello, I am a crocheter based in the US. I’m wondering If I’m just starting out. I have no EIN number and my business isn’t registered. How do I set up a Shopify payment for customers to pay?
I’ll wait for an actual staff to answer thanks.
Hello @Muse333
You don’t need an EIN or a registered LLC to start taking payments on Shopify—you can use your personal Social Security Number (SSN) as a sole proprietor. Shopify Payments will accept that and deposit directly into your bank account. Here’s what to do next:
1. Enable Shopify Payments
- In your Shopify Admin, go to Settings → Payments.
- Under Shopify Payments, click Complete account setup.
2. Enter your personal details
- Business type: select “Sole proprietor” (that means it’s you, personally).
- Tax ID: enter your SSN (Shopify only needs the last four digits for verification).
- Address & contact: fill in your U.S. mailing address and phone number—this must match your bank records.
3. Link your bank account
- Provide your routing and account numbers so Shopify can deposit your payouts.
- Double-check these numbers to avoid payout delays.
4. Finish KYC verification
- Shopify will run a quick identity check (“Know Your Customer”) using your SSN and address.
- Once approved (usually within minutes to a few hours), you’re ready to accept credit cards.
5. Test your checkout
- Place a “bogus” order with a $1 test payment (you can then refund it).
- Confirm the transaction appears under Orders, and watch for your first payout in Settings → Payments → Payouts.