IRS Guide
IRS Letter 147C Guide
Letter 147C is an EIN verification letter from the IRS. Request it free by calling 800-829-4933. Faxed in 24-48 hours. Banks accept it as proof of your EIN when you lost the CP 575.
IRS Letter 147C solves one problem: you have an EIN but lost the paper that proves it. The IRS issues your EIN assignment notice (CP 575) exactly once, when the number is first assigned. The IRS never reissues CP 575. When a bank, a payment processor, or a vendor asks for proof of your EIN and you cannot find the CP 575, Letter 147C is the official replacement. This guide explains what Letter 147C contains, how to request it, who qualifies, and how non-US residents handle EIN verification without an SSN.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Document type | EIN verification letter |
| Contains | EIN, legal entity name, address |
| Request method | Call 800-829-4933 |
| International line | 267-941-1099 |
| Fax delivery | 24-48 hours |
| Mail delivery | 10 business days |
| Cost | $0 (free) |
| Who can request | Responsible party or Form 2848 POA |
| Accepted by banks | Yes |
What It Is
What Is IRS Letter 147C?
IRS Letter 147C is the official EIN verification letter the IRS sends to confirm an EIN you already hold. It lists your EIN, your legal entity name, and the mailing address on the IRS record. Banks and vendors accept it in place of a lost CP 575 notice.
The "147C" is the IRS internal form number for an EIN confirmation request. The letter exists for one reason: businesses lose their original CP 575. The CP 575 is a one-time notice. Once you lose it, the only way to get IRS paper that proves your EIN is to request Letter 147C. The two documents prove the same number and carry the same weight with banks.
| Document | When You Get It | Reissued? | Proves EIN? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CP 575 | When EIN is first assigned | No | Yes |
| Letter 147C | On request, anytime after | Yes, unlimited times | Yes |
Both documents are equally valid. A bank that asks for your "EIN letter" accepts either the CP 575 or Letter 147C. If you still have your CP 575, you do not need Letter 147C at all. See the EIN confirmation letter overview for how both documents fit together.
How to Request
How Do You Request Letter 147C?
You request Letter 147C by calling the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933, or 267-941-1099 from outside the United States. Verify your identity as the responsible party, then ask for fax or mail delivery. The call is the only way to request the letter.
Call the Correct IRS Line
Reach EIN Verification
Verify Your Identity
Choose Fax or Mail Delivery
Always request fax delivery. Fax reaches you in 24-48 hours, while mail takes 10 business days and goes only to the address the IRS has on file. If your address has changed, file Form 8822-B before requesting 147C by mail, or your letter goes to the old address. See the full EIN application process if you have not yet obtained an EIN.
When You Need It
When Do You Need Letter 147C?
You need Letter 147C when a bank, payment processor, lender, or government agency asks for written proof of your EIN and you cannot find your original CP 575 notice. The letter satisfies any institution that requires an official IRS EIN document.
Opening a US Bank Account
Replacing a Lost CP 575
Vendor and Payroll Setup
Licenses and Insurance
If you only need to confirm the EIN number itself for your own records, check past tax returns, bank documents, or prior IRS notices first. You request Letter 147C when an outside party needs official IRS paper, not when you just need to look up the digits.
Non-Residents
How Do Non-US Residents Get Letter 147C?
Non-US residents request Letter 147C by calling the IRS international line at 267-941-1099 and verifying identity as the responsible party from the original Form SS-4. The same fax (24-48 hours) or mail (10 business days) delivery applies. The letter remains free.
The hard part for non-residents is the phone call. The IRS international line operates during US business hours, which falls overnight in much of Asia, Europe, and Australia. Calls can run long, and the agent must confirm details from the Form SS-4 you filed with a passport number on Line 7b instead of an SSN.
| Step | US Resident | Non-US Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Phone line | 800-829-4933 | 267-941-1099 |
| ID on EIN record | SSN or ITIN | Passport number (Line 7b) |
| Verify as | Responsible party | Responsible party |
| Delivery | Fax 24-48h / mail 10 days | Fax 24-48h / mail 10 days |
| Cost | $0 | $0 |
The simplest way to avoid the 147C call entirely is to keep your original CP 575. When ein.so files your Form SS-4, we deliver your EIN assignment letter by email, so you hold a digital copy from day one. Save that PDF, and you rarely need to call the IRS for a 147C. Learn how non-residents get the EIN itself at EIN for non-residents and EIN without an SSN.
Getting the EIN First
How Do You Get the EIN Before You Need Letter 147C?
You get an EIN by filing IRS Form SS-4. Non-US residents fax the SS-4 to 855-215-1627 using a passport number on Line 7b. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so the fax method is the path for applicants without one. The EIN itself costs $0.
You cannot request Letter 147C until you have an EIN. If you have not obtained one yet, that is the first step. ein.so prepares and faxes your Form SS-4 to the IRS and delivers your EIN by email, then sends you the CP 575 so you keep proof from the start.
| Method | Who It Works For | Speed | IRS Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRS online tool | SSN or ITIN holders only | Immediate | $0 |
| Fax SS-4 (DIY) | Non-residents with passport | 4-7 business days | $0 |
| ein.so Standard | Non-residents | 4-7 business days | $49 service |
| ein.so Express | Non-residents | 2-3 business days | $97 service |
ein.so charges a service fee for preparing and filing the SS-4 correctly. The IRS charges nothing. The fee covers accurate Form SS-4 completion, correct passport-number formatting on Line 7b, fax transmission to 855-215-1627, and delivery of your EIN and CP 575 by email. See the SS-4 form guide, EIN cost breakdown, and EIN processing time for full details.
After the EIN
What Tax Filings Follow Your EIN and Letter 147C?
A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year. The penalty for failing to file is $25,000. Most US LLCs also report beneficial ownership to FinCEN. Your EIN is the starting point for these filings, and Letter 147C proves the EIN behind them.
Form 5472 + Pro-Forma 1120
BOI Report to FinCEN
State Annual Report
ITIN If Needed
ein.so files your EIN and does not provide tax advice. Confirm every tax specific, including which forms apply to your structure and any treaty positions, with a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters. Letter 147C keeps your EIN documented; a CPA keeps your filings correct.
Next Steps
What to Do Next
- Find your CP 575 first — if you still have it, you do not need Letter 147C
- Call the IRS for 147C — 800-829-4933 in the US, 267-941-1099 internationally, request fax delivery
- Need an EIN first? — apply for an EIN with ein.so for $49 Standard or $97 Express
- Open a US bank account — use your CP 575 or Letter 147C as proof
- File your BOI report — required for most LLCs
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
Related guides: EIN confirmation letter | Lost EIN number | EIN verification | EIN without an SSN | How to get an EIN.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IRS Letter 147C?
Letter 147C is an EIN verification letter from the IRS. It confirms your EIN, your legal entity name, and the address on file. The IRS issues it when you request proof of an EIN you already have. Banks, payment processors, and vendors accept Letter 147C as official confirmation when you cannot find your original CP 575 notice.
How do I request Letter 147C from the IRS?
Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 between 7am and 7pm local time. International callers use 267-941-1099. Verify your identity as the responsible party on the EIN, then request delivery by fax (24-48 hours) or by mail (10 business days). The IRS charges $0 for Letter 147C.
How long does Letter 147C take to arrive?
By fax, Letter 147C arrives in 24-48 hours after the IRS verifies your identity on the call. By mail, it takes about 10 business days to the address on file. Always request fax delivery for speed. The IRS does not email Letter 147C or send it electronically through any online portal.
Is Letter 147C free?
Yes. The IRS charges $0 for Letter 147C, the same as it charges $0 for a new EIN. No IRS service related to your EIN carries a fee. Any website that asks you to pay the IRS for a 147C is charging for filing help, not for the letter itself. The verification letter has no government cost.
Who can request Letter 147C?
Only the responsible party listed on the original EIN application can request Letter 147C, or a person holding a valid Power of Attorney through Form 2848. The IRS verifies your identity against the EIN record before releasing the letter. A bank, accountant, or employee cannot request it on your behalf without proper authorization on file.
What is the difference between CP 575 and Letter 147C?
CP 575 is the original EIN assignment notice the IRS sends once, when your EIN is first issued. The IRS never reissues CP 575. Letter 147C is the replacement verification letter you request later if you lost the CP 575. Both documents prove the same EIN, and banks accept either one for account verification.
Can non-US residents get Letter 147C?
Yes. Non-US residents who hold a valid EIN can request Letter 147C by calling 267-941-1099, the IRS international line. You must verify your identity as the responsible party who filed Form SS-4 with a passport number on Line 7b. International calls during US business hours can be difficult, so save your original CP 575 to avoid needing 147C.
Do I need Letter 147C to open a US business bank account?
You need either your CP 575 or Letter 147C to open a US business bank account. Most banks accept the original CP 575. If you lost it, request Letter 147C to verify your EIN, entity name, and address. ein.so delivers your CP 575 by email when we file your Form SS-4, so you keep a copy from day one.
How do I get an EIN in the first place if I have no SSN?
Non-US residents get an EIN by filing Form SS-4 by fax to 855-215-1627, using a passport number on Line 7b instead of an SSN. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so the fax method is your path. ein.so prepares and faxes the SS-4 and delivers your EIN by email for $49 Standard or $97 Express.
Can ein.so request Letter 147C for me?
ein.so files Form SS-4 to obtain new EINs for non-US residents and delivers the CP 575 by email. Letter 147C is a verification request you make directly with the IRS for an EIN you already hold. Keep the CP 575 ein.so sends you, and you will rarely need to call the IRS for a 147C.
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