Updated on: April 18th, 2024

What Is a 147c Letter & How to Get a Copy of My EIN Verification Letter From the IRS?

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If you’ve misplaced your employer identification number, you’ll require a 147C letter (EIN). Find out what it is, when you’ll need one, and how to get one from the IRS.

Most firms that operate in or generate revenue in the United States must get a federal employment identification number (EIN). This is your federal tax identification number. Consider it your company’s version of your social security number. After you submit Form SS-4, the Internal Revenue Service sends you a confirmation letter, known as a “CP 575” notification, in the mail. This letter proves that your company is real and may be used to create corporate bank accounts, apply for business loans, and more.

The only issue? The IRS only sends the CP 575 letter once, and you will not receive a duplicate if you misplace it. You presumably know your EIN by heart or have it written down someplace, but in some circumstances, that’s insufficient. Banks, vendors, and any other institution with whom you work may request formal proof.

There is, however, another possibility. Enter the letter 147C. This IRS-issued document is approved as a substitute for the CP 575 and can come in handy if you ever misplace your EIN notification.

What Does Letter 147C Stand For?

The 147C letter is an IRS-issued document that validates an already-existing EIN, which is why it’s also known as an “EIN verification letter.” It replaces the CP 575 notification. If you lose your CP 575, you should seek a replacement. A sample 147C letter for the University of Iowa may be found here.


Why and When Is It Required To Have a 147C Letter?

It’s not enough to know your company’s EIN off the top of your head. For commercial reasons, you’ll need IRS-issued evidence, and if you’ve misplaced your CP 575, you’ll need to utilize a 147C instead. If that’s the case, here are several reasons to seek a copy from the IRS.


Banking and Financial Services

When opening a new company bank account or applying for corporate credit cards, you’ll need to produce proof of your EIN. If you ever apply for a business loan or seek investment, you’ll need one. If you lose your CP 575, don’t panic; 147C letters are accepted by all banks and lenders in the United States.

To assist avoid fraud, any business banking or corporate financing transaction in the United States will need you to present formal verification of your EIN. Because each firm is granted a unique EIN, banks and financial institutions utilize that proof to double-check your organization’s authenticity.


Submitting Tax Returns

When completing payroll and income tax forms with the IRS, you’ll need to supply your EIN. You do not need a copy of your CP 575; all you need is your EIN. Only in the following circumstances may you consult your CP 575 notice:

You can’t recall your EIN number

Previous copies of your tax returns have been misplaced (as they have your EIN on them)

However, if you’ve also misplaced your CP 575 on top of everything else, you’ll require a letter 147C.


Obtaining Business Permissions and Licenses

Business-Licenses-and-Permits

To lawfully operate in the United States, several enterprises require federal or state-level licenses and permissions. To apply in some states, you will need to get an EIN. If you wish to do business in the state of Arizona, for example, you’ll need to apply for a “Transaction Privilege Tax” (TPT) license. And having an EIN is one of the most important conditions for applying for a TPT license.

Typically, license applications do not ask for copies of EIN confirmation letters. However, if you’ve misplaced your CP 575 and can’t recollect your EIN, a 147C letter will come in helpful.


Medicare Enrollment Application

If you own a hospital, clinic, or another healthcare facility, you can participate in the Medicare program as an “institutional provider.” Enrollment gives you permission to offer healthcare to all Medicare beneficiaries.

Submitting an enrollment application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is one of the first steps in becoming an institutional provider (CMS). Every applicant must submit their application along with official IRS certification of their EIN. If you don’t supply a copy of your CP 575 or 147C letter, the CMS will not process your application.


147C is Needed for Collaboration With Other Businesses

When working with firms or seeking vendor services, you’ll frequently require your 147C letter.

Some suppliers (such as payroll services) and merchants (such as payment processing services) will want formal evidence of your EIN. QuickBooks, for example, requires IRS-issued EIN verification letters in order to execute direct payments to workers.

In the same way, if you desire to join another company, they may request this documentation as a formality.


Some Contents Located on The EIN 147c Letter

  • Date of Notice
  • EIN
  • Type of Form
  • Number of Notice
  • Customer Service Hotlines

“We assigned you an Employer Identification Number!

Thank you for applying for an EIN. This EIN will identify you, your business accounts, tax returns, and documents, even if you have no employees. Please keep this notice in your permanent records.

When filing tax documents, payments, and related correspondence, it is very that you use your EIN and complete and address exactly as shown above. Any variation may cause a delay in processing, result in incorrect information in your account, or even cause you to be assigned more than one EIN. If the information is not correct as shown above, please make the correction using the attached tear-off stub and return it to us.

An LLC may file Form 8832, Entity Classification Election,. and elect to be as an association taxable as a corporation. If the LLC is eligible €0 be treated as a corporation that certain tests and be electing S corporation status, must file Form 2553, Election by a Business Corporation. LLC will treat as a corporation as of the effective date Of the S corporation election and does not need to file Form 8832.

To obtain tax forms and publications, including those referenced in this notice, visit our site at www.irs.gov. If you do not have access to the Internet, call  1-800-829-3676 (TTY/TDD 1-800-829-4059) or visit your local IRS office.

Important Reminders:

Keep a copy of this notice in your permanent records. This notice is issued only one time and the IRS will not be able to generate a duplicate copy for you. You may give a copy of this document to anyone asking for proof of your EIN.

Use this EIN and your name exactly as they appear at the top of this notice on all your federal tax reforms.

Refer to this EIN on your tax-related correspondence and documents.

If you have questions about your EIN, you can call us at the phone number or write to us at the address shown at the top of this notice. If you write, please tear off the stub at the notice and send it along with your letter. If you do not need to write us, do not complete and return the stub.

Your name control associated with this EIN is (given). You will need to provide this information, along with your EIN, if you file your returns electronically.

Thank you for your cooperation. “


Requesting a 147C Letter – The Process

According to IRS standards, you may only seek a 147C letter if you are the legal owner of a business or have Power of Attorney (POA) over one. If you checked one of those boxes, take the following steps:

  • Call +1-800-829-4933. The IRS Business & Specialty Tax line is open from 7:00 a.m. to midnight. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, in the taxpayer’s local time (or Pacific time if you’re from Hawaii or Alaska).
  • Choose a language that you like (press 1 for English).
  • “Employer Identification Numbers” is accessed by pressing 1.
  • After that, press 3, which is the option for having an EIN but forgetting it. An IRS agent will be assigned to you. Depending on the day and hour, this might take some time.
  • Explain to the agent that you’ll need an EIN verification letter because you misplaced your CP 575 notification.
  • The agent will next ask you a series of security questions to make sure you’re the authorized business owner or have a POA.

If you correctly answer all of the security questions, the IRS representative will ask if you prefer to receive your 147C notice by mail or fax. If you choose the latter, the agent will fax your 147C to you right away. If you don’t have a fax number or machine, you’ll have no choice but to use regular mail. Your verification letter will arrive in four to six weeks if you choose this option. For security concerns, the IRS does not send 147C notices through email.


Is EIN Verification Required For Foreign-Owned Businesses?

Even if you are not a US citizen or resident, you can form a corporate organization on US soil. Your foreign-owned firm, like all other US-based partnerships, LLCs, and corporations, will require an EIN to do normal business. The EIN application process for a foreign-owned firm, however, is slightly different. International applicants must apply by phone, fax, or mail rather than applying online by filling IRS Form SS-4. Only from 6:00 a.m. onwards is the telephone option accessible. until 11:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (Eastern time).

Depending on the option you choose, you’ll receive your EIN via a CP 575 notification in four weeks. The CP 575 can then be used to file taxes, create commercial bank accounts, and for other business purposes. If you lose your CP 575, you may always get a 147C letter from the IRS. Non-US persons with entities in the US go through the same procedure.


How Long Does It Take To Receive The Letter of Confirmation?

By Online Application

When you apply for an employer identification number on the IRS website, you will instantly receive a confirmation letter. As a result, you may quickly save a digital copy and print the document. The online application procedure, which comprises interview-style processing, is the simplest and fastest choice.

You supply:

  • A company address
  • The legal name of your business
  • Type of business structure
  • The benefits of acquiring an EIN
  • Primary commercial activity

The IRS demands that you complete the application in one sitting. As a result, acquire all necessary information prior to beginning the application process. During the week, the service is available on the IRS website.

By Mail

If you apply for the CP-575 letter by mail, you should expect to get it in four to eight weeks. If you apply by fax using Form SS-4, on the other hand, your confirmation letter will be ready in four weeks.


What Are the Alternatives to a 147c Letter Request?

There are a few locations you may search for your EIN number before phoning the IRS to seek a 147c letter.

  • Find the IRS confirmation letter you received when you applied for your EIN.
  • If you used your EIN to create an account or request for a loan, contact the financial institution.
  • Contact the state or municipal licensing agency where you applied for a license.
  • Find the tax returns you submitted using your EIN.

What Should You Do If You Need the Letter Right Away?

Your bank or a vendor may ask to see the official IRS EIN confirmation letter on occasion. Unfortunately, it is not unusual for people to forget the letter; also, many overseas business owners do not appear to receive the EIN confirmation letter—it appears to be lost in transit.

If you don’t have your IRS EIN letter, don’t panic. You can contact the IRS directly and request a 147C letter as a replacement confirmation letter.

Between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM EST, call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line toll free at 1-800-829-4933 (or 267-941-1099 if calling from outside the United States). Press 1, then 1 again, then 3. Request a 147C letter when you contact them. You will be asked the following questions by an IRS representative:

  • Identity verification Questions
  • They’ll inquire about receiving documents through fax. You must respond affirmatively.
  • “Yes” (don’t say you’re using an e-fax) if you’re near the fax machine.

Your fax number should be provided. If you don’t have one and Harvard Business Services, Inc. secured one on your behalf, fax the 147C letter to us at (302) 645-1280. We will email you the IRS EIN letter as soon as the fax has been received.

Your fax number should be provided. If you don’t have one and Harvard Business Services, Inc. secured one on your behalf, fax the 147C letter to us at (302) 645-1280. We will email you the IRS EIN letter as soon as the fax has been received.


What Should You Do After You Receive the Letter?

Nothing! The aim is to receive the letter. If you received a 147c letter because you misplaced your EIN, we recommend filing it away safely. If you’re sending the letter to a third party to prove your EIN, make sure to include it.

The nicest thing about the 147c letter is that acquiring it is the most difficult part. You don’t have to do anything after you have one… except maybe relax after spending an inordinate amount of time on wait with the IRS, if that’s the road you had to go.


Misplaced or Lost EIN 147C Letter?

Many business owners misplace or lose their confirmation letters, forcing them to contact the Internal Revenue Service for a replacement. Although Form CP 575 is only issued once, the tax authorities provide a replacement in the form of a verification letter or a 147C letter.

You need to validate your company’s tax identification number to vendors and banking institutions, therefore losing the letter is an issue. You can replace the original Form CP 575 with the verification letter or 147C letter.

If you applied for and obtained an EIN for your firm but have subsequently lost it, attempt any or all the following steps to find it:

  • Locate the IRS computer-generated notification you received when you applied for your EIN. This notification serves as proof that you applied for and received an EIN.
  • If you used your EIN to establish a bank account or apply for a state or municipal license, you should contact the bank or agency to ensure that your EIN is secure.
  • Call the Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 to have the IRS look for your EIN. The opening hours are 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, local time. As long as you are a person who is permitted to get it, an assistor will ask you for identifying information and give you the number over the phone. A single owner, a partner in a partnership, a corporate official, a trustee of a trust, or an executor of an estate are all examples of authorized persons.

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In Conclusion

Even if you recall your EIN or have previous copies of bank and tax records on hand, you should seek a 147C letter. For the instances mentioned above, an official IRS declaration proving that you are a tax-paying firm is required. Request one now to avoid avoidable delays in your company activities in the future, such as opening a new bank account on a short notice. We also recommend making numerous physical and digital copies of your 147C letter once you receive it. The IRS, on the other hand, does not have a limit on how many times you can obtain one.

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