If you have lost your federal employer identification number, you can contact the IRS to request a copy of the EIN confirmation letter.

To request a copy of the EIN Verification Letter (147C), complete the following steps:

• Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line toll-free at 1-800-829-4933 between the hours of 7 am and 7 pm in your local time zone.
• When the call is answered, press 1 for English
• Next, you will be asked to press 1 for information related to your FEIN or EIN
• Next, select option 3 – You have a FEIN or EIN but need a confirmation number
• You will need to have the FEIN or EIN number, name, and address you have been using on your 941 forms, W‐2 forms, and or 1099 forms.
• Once your information has been verified, the IRS agent will offer to fax the letter to you immediately or snail mail you a copy of the letter.

Only an owner or a Power of Attorney (POA) can request a 147C Letter. If you would like a POA to request your EIN Verification Letter (147C), both you and your POA will need to complete the IRS Form 2848 and have it ready to send to the IRS via fax during the phone call with the IRS.

For more information on how to retrieve your EIN Verification Letter, visit this IRS resource.

What exactly is the EIN Verification Letter 147C?

When you originally received your Employer Identification Number (EIN), the IRS sent you a CP-575 confirmation letter. The CP-575 is sent only once — there are no replacements. If you’ve lost it, the 147C letter is the official re-issuance from the IRS confirming the same EIN.

You’ll typically need a 147C when:

• Opening a business bank account and your bank requires proof of your EIN
• Applying for a business loan, line of credit, or merchant account
• Setting up payroll services like Gusto or ADP
• Verifying your business identity with a vendor or state agency
• Updating your business records with the Secretary of State
• Filing an S-Corp election (Form 2553) when you’ve lost the original CP-575

How to request your EIN Verification Letter 147C

The 147C is only available by calling the IRS directly. The form is NOT available on the IRS website, by mail, or via your IRS online account.

1. Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933. Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. local time.
2. Identify yourself as the Responsible Party for the business (the person listed on the original SS-4 application). Only the Responsible Party — or someone with a Power of Attorney filed via Form 2848 — can request the 147C.
3. Be prepared to confirm: your name, the business legal name, the business address on file, your SSN or ITIN, and the EIN itself if you remember it.
4. Choose your delivery method:
   • Fax (fastest): The IRS will fax the 147C while you’re on the line — usually within 5 minutes. Have a fax number ready (most secure online fax services work).
   • Mail: 4-6 weeks. Sent to the business address on file. You cannot have it mailed to a different address than what the IRS already has on record.

What if you can’t reach the responsible party?

If the responsible party listed on the EIN application is no longer with the company (deceased, retired, sold their stake), you have to update the IRS first before requesting a 147C. File Form 8822-B (Change of Address or Responsible Party — Business) and wait 60 days before requesting the 147C.

How long does the 147C process take?

• Phone call hold time: 30-90 minutes during tax season, 10-30 minutes off-season
• Fax delivery: Within 5 minutes of authorization
• Mail delivery: 4-6 weeks, occasionally longer

If you absolutely need proof of your EIN faster than the IRS can deliver a 147C, many banks will accept your most recent business tax return (Form 1120, 1120S, or 1065) as alternate proof, since the EIN is printed on the top of every return. Some banks also accept a screenshot from your IRS Business Tax Account showing the EIN.

FAQs about the EIN Verification Letter 147C

Can I get a 147C letter online?

No. The IRS does not issue 147C letters through any online portal. The only way to obtain one is by calling the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933.

Is there a fee to request a 147C?

No. The IRS does not charge for an EIN verification letter. Any third-party service charging you a fee to “obtain” your 147C is simply calling the IRS on your behalf — you can do it yourself for free.

What’s the difference between a CP-575 and a 147C?

The CP-575 is the original confirmation letter the IRS sends one time when your EIN is first issued. The 147C is a re-issuance verification letter you can request later. Functionally they prove the same thing (your business name + EIN), and banks accept either.

Can my accountant or CPA request a 147C for me?

Only if you’ve filed Form 2848 (Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative) with the IRS authorizing them to act on your behalf for business matters. Without a POA on file, the IRS will only speak to the Responsible Party listed on the SS-4.