Recovery
Lost Your EIN? 3 Ways to Recover It Guide
Recover a lost EIN by calling the IRS at 800-829-4933, checking old tax returns, or requesting Letter 147C. Your EIN is permanent. Non-residents call 267-941-1099.
Recover a lost EIN by (1) calling the IRS at 800-829-4933, (2) checking old tax returns or bank documents, or (3) requesting Letter 147C. Only the authorized responsible party recovers an EIN. The IRS offers no online recovery tool. Your EIN is permanent — it still exists even if you lost the paperwork. Non-residents call 267-941-1099 from outside the US.
A lost EIN is not a lost identity. The IRS assigns each Employer Identification Number permanently, and that 9-digit number stays in IRS records for the life of your entity. Misplacing the CP 575 confirmation letter does not cancel the number. You recover the same EIN — you do not apply for a new one. This guide covers the 3 recovery methods, who is allowed to request the number, how Letter 147C works, and how to prevent losing it again. Non-US residents who never received an EIN in the first place should instead read how to get an EIN.
| Recovery Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| IRS phone (domestic) | 800-829-4933 |
| IRS phone (international) | 267-941-1099 |
| Hours | Mon-Fri, 7am-7pm ET (domestic line) |
| Who can recover | Responsible party or Form 2848 / 8821 holder |
| Online recovery | None — no IRS online lookup exists |
| Verification letter | Letter 147C, faxed in 24-48 hours |
| EIN cost (new) | $0 from the IRS; ein.so files for $49 |
| EIN permanence | Permanent — never expires or changes |
3 Methods
What Are the 3 Ways to Recover a Lost EIN?
Recover a lost EIN by calling the IRS, checking existing documents, or requesting Letter 147C. Each method returns the same permanent 9-digit number. The phone and Letter 147C methods require you to be the responsible party. Document checks require no IRS contact.
Call the IRS Business Line
Check Existing Documents
Request Letter 147C
Where Your EIN Already Appears
Before calling the IRS, scan these documents. Your EIN is on all of them:
- CP 575 — the original EIN confirmation letter from the IRS
- Prior tax returns — Form 1120, Form 1065, or Schedule C
- Form 5472 — filed annually by foreign-owned single-member LLCs
- Business bank account opening documents
- W-2 and 1099 forms your business issued
- State business registration and annual report filings
- IRS correspondence and notices
Phone Recovery
How Do You Recover a Lost EIN by Calling the IRS?
Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 inside the US, or 267-941-1099 from outside the US. The agent verifies your identity as the responsible party, then provides your EIN verbally. The call is free on the domestic line.
Confirm You Are the Responsible Party
Call During Operating Hours
Pass Identity Verification
Receive Your EIN Verbally
Non-residents face one extra hurdle: the 267-941-1099 line operates on US Eastern Time, so callers in Europe, Asia, and Australia call at inconvenient hours and pay international call rates. If you never received an EIN at all, ein.so files Form SS-4 for you by fax for $49, removing the phone call entirely. See the full EIN application process.
Letter 147C
What Is Letter 147C and How Do You Request It?
Letter 147C is the official IRS EIN verification letter. It restates your EIN, legal entity name, and address on IRS letterhead. Request it by calling 800-829-4933 as the responsible party. The IRS faxes it within 24-48 hours or mails it within 10 business days.
Letter 147C exists because the IRS issues the CP 575 confirmation letter only once. The IRS does not reprint CP 575. When you lose the original, Letter 147C becomes the replacement document. Banks, Stripe, PayPal, and state agencies accept Letter 147C as proof of your EIN.
| Document | When Issued | Reissued? | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CP 575 | Once, when EIN is first assigned | No | Original proof of EIN |
| Letter 147C | On request, anytime after | Yes | Replacement proof of EIN |
To request Letter 147C, call 800-829-4933, confirm your identity, and ask for an "EIN verification letter." Choose fax for the 24-48 hour turnaround, or mail for delivery within 10 business days. A fresh EIN holder who wants the original document should read EIN confirmation letter.
Authorization
Who Is Allowed to Recover an EIN?
Only the responsible party listed on Form SS-4 can recover an EIN directly from the IRS. A third party needs Power of Attorney on Form 2848 or Third Party Designee authorization on Form 8821. The IRS verifies identity before releasing any EIN information.
This rule protects your entity from fraud. An accountant, lawyer, or business partner who is not the responsible party cannot phone the IRS and collect your EIN without written authorization on file.
Authorization Routes to Recover an EIN
- Responsible party — the individual named on Form SS-4 Line 7a recovers the EIN directly by phone.
- Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) — grants a representative authority to act on the entity's behalf, including EIN recovery.
- Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization) — lets a designee receive tax information, including EIN confirmation.
- Successor responsible party — update the IRS using Form 8822-B within 60 days of any change.
If your entity's responsible party has changed, file Form 8822-B to update the IRS before attempting recovery. The IRS matches the caller against its current records. A mismatch blocks the EIN release.
Lost vs New
Should You Recover a Lost EIN or Apply for a New One?
Recover your existing EIN — do not apply for a new one. Applying for a second EIN creates duplicate tax records and IRS confusion. A new EIN is correct only when you form a new entity or change your business structure, such as incorporating a sole proprietorship.
A lost EIN is a records problem, not a number problem. The number still exists. Compare the two situations before you act:
| Situation | Correct Action | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lost the CP 575 paperwork | Recover existing EIN | The EIN is permanent and unchanged |
| Forgot the number | Recover via phone or Letter 147C | No new EIN needed |
| Formed a brand-new entity | Apply for a new EIN | Each entity needs its own EIN |
| Changed structure (sole prop to corp) | Apply for a new EIN | Structure change requires a new number |
| Bought an existing business | Apply for a new EIN | New ownership needs a new number |
Filing a duplicate EIN forces you to later contact the IRS to close one number, which delays banking and tax filing. If you genuinely need a new EIN as a non-US resident, apply through ein.so for $49 and read EIN without an SSN and EIN for non-residents. Review the EIN cost breakdown and EIN processing time before you start.
Prevention
How Do You Prevent Losing Your EIN Again?
Prevent future EIN loss by saving the CP 575 digitally, recording the number in multiple systems, and requesting a backup Letter 147C. Your EIN is permanent, so a single secure record protects you for the life of the entity.
Save CP 575 Digitally
Record the EIN in Multiple Places
Request a Backup Letter 147C
Keep Tax Returns Accessible
Foreign-owned LLCs: protect your EIN for annual filing
- A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 plus a pro-forma Form 1120 every year.
- The penalty for failing to file Form 5472 is $25,000.
- You need your EIN on each annual filing, so losing it disrupts compliance.
- Review the Form 5472 guide and confirm your filing duties with a CPA.
Next Steps
What to Do After Recovering Your EIN
- Store the number securely — save your EIN in a confirmation letter backup and a password manager
- Open a US bank account — use your EIN for a business bank account with Mercury or Relay
- File your BOI report — most LLCs report beneficial ownership; see BOI filing
- File Form 5472 — foreign-owned LLCs file annually; the Form 5472 guide explains the $25,000 penalty
- Need a new entity's EIN? — apply through ein.so for non-US residents without an SSN
More EIN resources: What is an EIN | How to get an EIN | EIN without an SSN | EIN for non-residents | SS-4 form guide | EIN cost | EIN processing time.
ein.so files Form SS-4 with the IRS and delivers your EIN by email. ein.so does not provide tax advice — confirm Form 5472 and treaty questions with a CPA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my lost EIN?
Find your lost EIN through 3 methods. Call the IRS at 800-829-4933 as the responsible party. Check old tax returns, bank documents, or IRS letters. Request Letter 147C by phone. Your 9-digit EIN appears on every prior tax return, your CP 575 letter, and your business bank account paperwork.
Can I look up my EIN online?
No. The IRS does not offer an online EIN recovery tool. You recover a lost EIN by calling 800-829-4933, checking existing documents, or requesting Letter 147C by phone. The IRS publishes nonprofit EINs through its Tax Exempt Organization Search, but private LLC and corporation EINs stay confidential.
What is Letter 147C?
Letter 147C is the official IRS EIN verification letter. It confirms your EIN, legal entity name, and address on IRS letterhead. Request it by calling 800-829-4933 as the responsible party. The IRS faxes Letter 147C within 24-48 hours or mails it within 10 business days. Banks accept it for account verification.
Can someone else recover my EIN?
No, unless they are authorized. Only the responsible party listed on Form SS-4 can recover an EIN from the IRS. A third party needs Power of Attorney on Form 2848 or Third Party Designee authorization on Form 8821. The IRS verifies identity before releasing any EIN information by phone.
Does my EIN still exist if I lost it?
Yes. EINs are permanent and never expire. Losing the paperwork does not cancel or change your EIN. It stays in IRS records for the life of the entity. You do not apply for a new EIN when you lose the old one. Recovering the existing number is the correct path.
What phone number do non-residents call to recover an EIN?
Non-residents and international callers recover an EIN by calling the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 267-941-1099. This is not a toll-free number. The line operates Monday to Friday, 6am to 11pm Eastern Time. You must be the responsible party or hold Form 2848 Power of Attorney to receive the EIN.
Should I apply for a new EIN if I lost mine?
No. Applying for a second EIN creates duplicate tax records and IRS confusion. Recover your existing EIN by calling 800-829-4933 or requesting Letter 147C. You only need a new EIN when you form a new entity or change your business structure, such as converting a sole proprietorship to a corporation.
How long does it take to recover a lost EIN?
Recovery by phone is instant. The IRS agent reads your EIN aloud during the call after verifying your identity. Letter 147C arrives by fax within 24-48 hours or by mail within 10 business days. Checking your own tax returns or bank documents takes minutes if the paperwork is accessible.
Can ein.so recover my lost EIN for me?
No. The IRS releases EIN information only to the responsible party or an authorized representative, so recovery is a self-service process you complete by phone. ein.so files new EIN applications for non-US residents using Form SS-4 for $49 Standard or $97 Express. We do not retrieve EINs already assigned to your entity.
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