Requesting an EIN Confirmation Letter Online
After your new company has been formed and you have your Federal Tax ID Number (also known as an Employer Identification Number or EIN), your bank may reach out, asking to review your EIN confirmation letter. Banks and vendors request EIN confirmation to verify the legitimacy of a business and ensure the Tax ID matches records with the IRS. This is a relatively routine process that helps prevent fraud, so don’t sweat it. Oftentimes, you can respond with a copy of your EIN letter, called the CP-575.
What is IRS Form CP-575?
After you submit Form SS-4 to apply for an EIN, the IRS issues a letter to confirm that your business entity has been assigned the aforementioned EIN. This confirmation letter is called a CP-575 letter. The CP-575 includes your official EIN, the legal name and address of your business, and the date that the EIN was assigned. The IRS sends one of these letters out for every EIN application it processes. Instead of sending the EIN confirmation letter online or via fax, the IRS will send it via mail within eight to ten weeks of issuing your company a Federal Tax ID Number.
It's important to note that the CP-575 cannot be reissued if lost. If you need official proof of your EIN after the letter has been lost, you must request a 147C letter.
What is a 147C Letter?
Sometimes your bank or a vendor may request to see the official IRS EIN confirmation letter. If you've misplaced your original EIN letter or never received it in the first place, you can contact the IRS directly and request a replacement confirmation letter called an IRS 147C letter. This letter is only issued after the original EIN letter has been lost or never received. Similar to the CP-575, the 147C states your business name, your official EIN, your business address, and a statement confirming your EIN is active.
Requesting a Replacement EIN Letter from The IRS
If you are no longer in possession of the CP-575, you can request the 147C letter by calling the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line toll-free at 1-800-829-4933. If you are calling from outside the United States, instead, you can dial 267-941-1099. These lines are usually available between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM EST.
After dialing, follow the prompts related to EINs or business account questions. When you reach a representative, you can request a 147C letter. Be prepared, as the IRS representative is going to ask you a few questions:
- They may ask some business verification questions
- They may ask if you are authorized to receive this document, such as an owner or a corporate officer
- They will ask if you can receive documents via fax. Say "Yes"
- They may also ask if you are near a fax machine. Say "Yes"
After that, you can provide them with your fax number. If you don’t have access to one, feel free to request that the 147C letter be faxed to us at (302) 645-1280. Once the fax has been received, we will email the IRS EIN letter to you as a courtesy.
What if I Lose My EIN Entirely?
If you lose track of your Tax ID number entirely and have no access to your CP-575 or 147C letter, there are still a few ways to recover it. You can learn how to recover a lost EIN on our website.
While it may be simplest to just keep track of your CP-575, the 147C letter is just as valid for proving your EIN. If you have any questions about obtaining an EIN letter from the IRS, feel free to contact us with your questions at 320-645-7400 x6910 or email us at filings@delawareinc.com.
*Disclaimer*: Harvard Business Services, Inc. is neither a law firm nor an accounting firm and, even in cases where the author is an attorney, or a tax professional, nothing in this article constitutes legal or tax advice. This article provides general commentary on, and analysis of, the subject addressed. We strongly advise that you consult an attorney or tax professional to receive legal or tax guidance tailored to your specific circumstances. Any action taken or not taken based on this article is at your own risk. If an article cites or provides a link to third-party sources or websites, Harvard Business Services, Inc. is not responsible for and makes no representations regarding such source’s content or accuracy. Opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Harvard Business Services, Inc.
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There are 36 comments left for Requesting an EIN Confirmation Letter Online
MELVIN NUELLS said: Wednesday, July 15, 2020Need EIN confrontmation letter
HBS Staff replied: Thursday, July 16, 2020Hi Melvin, can you please clarify what you need? Do you need to apply for an EIN or have you already applied and want to check the status? Please provide as much detail as you can.
Maria E. elena merino said: Monday, July 13, 2020i need the ein
HBS Staff replied: Tuesday, July 14, 2020Hi Maria, can you please clarify what you need? Do you need to apply for an EIN or have you already applied and want to check the status? Please provide as much detail as you can.
Rafael A melara said: Tuesday, June 9, 2020I need confirmation letter ein number
HBS Staff replied: Tuesday, June 9, 2020You can contact the IRS directly at (267) 941-1099 and request that they fax a new confirmation letter to you. If you ordered the EIN number through Harvard Business Services, you can ask the IRS to fax it to us and we will email a scanned copy to you.
sialafaga r taufetee said: Friday, March 27, 2020need a confirmation letter of my ein number
HBS Staff replied: Monday, March 30, 2020If this is for an existing company that already has an EIN, you will need to request a letter 147C from the IRS directly. Unfortunately, they do not allow us to request this letter on your behalf.
Demetrius Harris said: Friday, December 27, 2019I need a confirmation letter of my ein number
HBS Staff replied: Friday, December 27, 2019If this is for an EIN you already have, you can contact the IRS directly at (267) 941-1099 (if you are not in the U.S.) or at 800-829-4933 (if you are in the U.S.) and request a replacement confirmation letter called a 147C letter; the IRS will fax it upon request. If this is for a new order, you can contact our filings team at filings@delawareinc.com for an update on the status of your order.