Verification
EIN Verification Guide
Verify an EIN with IRS Letter 147C, CP 575 notice, W-9 form, or state filings. Banks require EIN verification before opening business accounts. ein.so files Form SS-4 for non-residents from $49.
Verify an EIN by requesting IRS Letter 147C (call 800-829-4933), checking your CP 575 assignment notice, or cross-referencing a filed tax return. Banks require EIN verification before opening business accounts. The IRS faxes Letter 147C within 24-48 hours or mails it within 10 business days. Verification costs $0.
EIN verification confirms that a 9-digit Employer Identification Number matches a specific business on IRS records. Banks, payment processors, and platforms run this check before they trust a business account. Non-resident owners verify a US EIN the same way US owners do, with no SSN or ITIN required. This guide explains the four verification documents, how to request each one, how to verify another company's EIN, and what proof banks and platforms accept. If you do not have an EIN yet, ein.so files Form SS-4 and delivers your CP 575 letter by email for $49.
| Verification Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| IRS verification line | 800-829-4933 |
| Letter 147C delivery | 24-48 hrs (fax) / 10 days (mail) |
| CP 575 re-issue | Not possible (use 147C) |
| Verification cost | $0 |
| EIN format | XX-XXXXXXX (9 digits) |
| Non-resident SSN needed | No |
Methods
How Do You Verify an EIN?
You verify an EIN by requesting IRS Letter 147C at 800-829-4933, checking your original CP 575 notice, or reading the EIN off a filed tax return. Each method confirms the same three facts: the EIN, the legal entity name, and the registered address.
The right method depends on whether you are verifying your own EIN or another company's. For your own EIN, the documents you already hold give instant proof. When you lost those documents, Letter 147C is your replacement path.
Verify Your Own EIN
| Method | Timeline | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| CP 575 notice | Instant (if held) | $0 |
| Letter 147C | 24-48 hrs fax / 10 days mail | $0 |
| Filed tax return | Instant | $0 |
| Bank or loan records | Instant | $0 |
Verify Another Company's EIN
| Method | Reliability | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| W-9 form request | High | Vendor and contractor reporting |
| SEC EDGAR search | High | Public companies |
| IRS nonprofit search | High | 501(c) organizations |
| State SOS records | Medium | Entity name and registration |
The IRS does not operate a public EIN lookup for private companies. Privacy rules limit EIN disclosure to the business and its authorized representatives.
147C vs CP 575
What Is the Difference Between Letter 147C and CP 575?
Letter 147C is a replacement EIN verification letter you request any time, while CP 575 is the original assignment notice the IRS mails once when your EIN is first issued. Banks accept both. The IRS cannot re-issue a lost CP 575, so you request 147C instead.
Both documents confirm the same EIN, legal entity name, and address. The difference matters only when you lost the original. Keep your CP 575 in a safe place. If you cannot find it, Letter 147C replaces it for free and without limit.
| CP 575 | Letter 147C | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Original EIN notice | Verification letter |
| When issued | At EIN assignment | On request |
| How to get | Automatic | Call 800-829-4933 |
| Delivery | Fax (24-48 hrs) or mail (10 days) | |
| Cost | $0 | $0 |
| Banks accept | Yes | Yes |
| Re-issue if lost | Not possible | Unlimited |
ein.so delivers your CP 575 EIN assignment letter by email after the IRS issues your number. You hold proof from day one and avoid the 147C request later. See the full EIN confirmation letter guide.
Step-by-Step
How Do You Request Letter 147C From the IRS?
You request Letter 147C by calling the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933, verifying your identity as the responsible party, and choosing fax or mail delivery. Fax arrives in 24-48 hours; mail takes 10 business days. The IRS charges $0.
Call 800-829-4933
Verify Your Identity
Request Letter 147C
Receive and Store the Letter
Non-residents without a US phone line face long international call costs to verify. ein.so avoids this by emailing your CP 575 letter at the time the IRS issues your EIN. See how to get an EIN and the SS-4 form guide.
Banking
Why Do Banks Verify Your EIN?
Banks verify your EIN to confirm your business exists on IRS records before they open a business account, as part of federal Know Your Customer and anti-money-laundering rules. Banks accept Letter 147C, CP 575, or a recent tax return as proof. Mismatched names cause rejection.
The most common rejection cause is a name mismatch between your EIN letter and your LLC formation documents. Your EIN legal name on the CP 575 must match your Articles of Organization exactly. A single different word triggers a hold.
US Business Bank Account
Payment Processors
Marketplaces
Lenders and Vendors
Non-Residents
How Do Non-Residents Verify a US EIN Without an SSN?
Non-residents verify a US EIN the same way US owners do, with no SSN or ITIN required. As the responsible party named on Form SS-4 Line 7a, you call 800-829-4933 for Letter 147C, or you use the CP 575 notice the IRS issues at assignment. Your passport number on Line 7b is enough.
The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN, which blocks most non-residents from self-service. ein.so files Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627 using your passport number on Line 7b. The IRS issues most correctly filed EINs within 4-7 business days, and ein.so emails your CP 575 confirmation as proof.
Verification pitfalls for non-residents
- The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so non-residents cannot verify or apply through it.
- Calling 800-829-4933 from abroad incurs international call charges and long hold times during US business hours.
- A name mismatch between your CP 575 and your LLC formation papers causes bank rejection.
- The IRS cannot re-issue a lost CP 575; you must request Letter 147C instead.
Holding your CP 575 from the start removes the need to call the IRS later. See EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents for the full non-resident path.
Other Companies
How Do You Verify Another Company's EIN?
You verify another company's EIN by requesting a Form W-9 from the business, searching SEC EDGAR for public companies, or using the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for nonprofits. The IRS does not run a public EIN lookup for private companies because of taxpayer privacy rules.
Each method fits a different entity type. Choose the one that matches who you are verifying. A W-9 is the standard request when you must report payments to a vendor or contractor.
| Source | Best For | What It Confirms |
|---|---|---|
| Form W-9 | Vendors, contractors | Legal name and EIN for 1099 reporting |
| SEC EDGAR | Public companies | EIN, filings, entity details |
| IRS TEOS | 501(c) nonprofits | EIN, exempt status, name |
| State SOS records | Registered entities | Legal name, status, registered agent |
| Commercial data services | Large enterprises | Cross-referenced business data |
For your own records, your EIN lookup options and lost EIN recovery steps cover every path to find a number you cannot locate.
Compliance
What Compliance Follows EIN Verification?
After you verify your EIN, a foreign-owned single-member US LLC must file Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year, and most US LLCs must report beneficial ownership to FinCEN. The Form 5472 penalty for non-filing is $25,000. The EIN is the tax ID these filings reference.
Form 5472 + 1120
BOI Report to FinCEN
Keep Records Consistent
Confirm Tax Specifics
A verified EIN is the starting point for US tax compliance, not the end. Pair it with accurate annual filings to keep your LLC in good standing.
Next Steps
After You Verify Your EIN
- Open a US bank account — Mercury, Relay, and Wise verify your EIN and approve non-resident owners remotely
- File your BOI report — required for most LLCs, free at fincen.gov/boi
- Request Letter 147C — replace a lost CP 575 by calling 800-829-4933, $0
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Need an EIN first? — ein.so files Form SS-4 and delivers your CP 575 confirmation by email
Related guides: EIN lookup | Lost EIN number | EIN confirmation letter | EIN without SSN | EIN for non-residents | How to get an EIN
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify an EIN with the IRS?
Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 and request Letter 147C. The IRS faxes Letter 147C within 24-48 hours or mails it within 10 business days. You can also verify your EIN instantly using your original CP 575 notice or any filed tax return. The IRS confirms the EIN to authorized callers only.
What is IRS Letter 147C?
Letter 147C is the official EIN verification letter the IRS issues on request. It confirms your EIN, legal entity name, and address on record. Use 147C when you lost your CP 575 notice, because the IRS will not re-issue the original CP 575. The IRS faxes 147C in 24-48 hours. There is no fee for Letter 147C.
What is the difference between CP 575 and Letter 147C?
CP 575 is the original EIN assignment notice mailed once when your EIN is first issued. Letter 147C is a replacement verification letter issued any time you request one. Banks accept both documents. The IRS cannot re-issue a lost CP 575, so request Letter 147C instead. Both confirm the same EIN, entity name, and address.
Do banks verify EINs before opening a business account?
Yes. US banks verify your EIN against IRS records during business account onboarding. Banks accept Letter 147C, CP 575, or a recently filed tax return as proof. Mercury, Relay, and Wise verify EINs for non-resident LLC owners during their remote application. Provide your EIN confirmation document together with your LLC formation papers and passport.
How long does EIN verification take?
EIN verification by phone takes 10-30 minutes once you reach an IRS agent at 800-829-4933. Letter 147C arrives by fax in 24-48 hours or by mail in 10 business days. If you still hold your CP 575 notice or a filed tax return, verification is instant. International callers face long hold times during US business hours.
Can non-residents verify a US EIN without an SSN?
Yes. Non-residents verify a US EIN the same way US owners do, with no SSN required. As the responsible party on Form SS-4, you call 800-829-4933 and request Letter 147C, or you use your CP 575 notice. ein.so delivers your CP 575 EIN letter by email after filing, so you hold proof from day one. See [EIN without SSN](/ein-without-ssn/).
How do I verify another company's EIN?
Request a Form W-9 from the company, which lists their legal name and EIN for tax reporting. For public companies, search the SEC EDGAR database. For nonprofits, use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. State Secretary of State business records confirm the entity name and registration. The IRS does not run a public EIN lookup for private companies.
What documents prove my EIN to a bank or platform?
The IRS CP 575 notice and Letter 147C are the two primary documents that prove your EIN. Banks, Stripe, PayPal, and Amazon accept either one. A filed federal tax return showing the EIN also works in many cases. ein.so emails your CP 575 EIN assignment letter after the IRS issues your EIN, giving you instant proof for banking and payments.
How much does EIN verification cost?
EIN verification costs $0. The IRS charges no fee for Letter 147C, CP 575, or phone verification at 800-829-4933. Getting an EIN in the first place also costs $0 from the IRS. ein.so charges $49 (Standard, 4-7 business days) or $97 (Express, 2-3 business days) to prepare and fax Form SS-4 for non-residents who cannot use the IRS online tool.
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