IRS Form 147C: What It Is and How to Get Your EIN Verification Letter

IRS Form 147C is the IRS's EIN verification letter, a one-page document that confirms your business's Employer Identification Number, legal name, and address. It isn't a form you fill out. It's a letter the IRS issues to you, usually when you've lost your original EIN assignment notice and a bank or lender wants proof of the number.

Here's the short version of what it is, who needs it, and how to request one.

What is IRS Form 147C?

Despite the name, "Form 147C" is really Letter 147C, officially titled "EIN Verification Letter." The IRS prints it on its letterhead and it states the business name, the EIN, and the address on file.

People search for "IRS 147C form" because banks, payment processors, and lenders often ask for it by that name. What they want is written confirmation from the IRS that your EIN is real and tied to your business.

How is Letter 147C different from a CP 575?

The CP 575 is the notice the IRS mails when it first assigns an EIN. Letter 147C is the replacement.

The IRS generally won't reissue a CP 575. If you lost it, the 147C is the document the IRS provides in its place. Most banks and agencies accept it as proof of the EIN. If you applied online, you could print a confirmation at the end of the application, so check your files before you call.

Who needs an EIN verification letter?

Anyone with an EIN who has to prove it and can't find the original paperwork. Common situations:

Opening a business bank account. Many banks ask for the IRS notice or a 147C alongside your formation documents.
Applying for a loan, merchant account, or payment processor. Underwriting often wants an IRS document tying the entity to its EIN.
Onboarding with a client or platform. Larger clients may want more than a W-9 on file. If you work with contractors yourself, our guide to sending 1099s to contractors covers why collecting their EIN or SSN up front matters.
Cleaning up records. Business owners sometimes need to confirm the exact legal name the IRS has on file before filing a return.

How do I get a Form 147C from the IRS?

You request it by phone. The IRS doesn't offer an online tool or a downloadable form for this letter. Here's the process:

Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. It operates on weekdays during business hours. Check IRS.gov for the current schedule before you call.
Be the right person. The IRS typically speaks with the business's responsible party, meaning the person who controls the entity and is listed on the original EIN application.
Expect identity questions. The representative will ask for the business name, the EIN if you know it, the address on file, and details that prove you're the responsible party.
Ask for the 147C. Tell them you need an EIN verification letter.
Choose fax or mail. The IRS may fax the letter during or shortly after the call if you give them a fax number. Otherwise it goes by mail to the address on file.

If you're outside the U.S., the IRS uses a separate international number (267-941-1099, not toll-free). Confirm it on IRS.gov before calling.

How long does it take to receive Letter 147C?

A faxed copy can arrive the same day. A mailed copy can take several weeks, so request a fax if a deadline is attached to the letter.

The letter goes to the address the IRS has on file. If you've moved and never updated it, the 147C may go to the wrong place. Sort out your address first, since the IRS will want to confirm it anyway.

What if the IRS won't issue the letter?

The usual causes are small and fixable:

You aren't the responsible party. Have the person listed on the original application make the call.
The details don't match. A name or address that differs from the IRS record will stall the request. Use the exact legal name from your formation documents.
The EIN is new. Newly assigned numbers can take time to appear in IRS systems.
There's an open account problem. If you suspect unfiled returns or notices are involved, IRS tax problem help is a better first call than repeated attempts at the phone line.

A tax professional may be able to help on your behalf if you've given proper written authorization, though the IRS can still ask to speak with the responsible party.

Does the EIN tell you what kind of business you have?

No. The EIN identifies the entity. It doesn't tell you the tax classification, and Letter 147C isn't proof of S-corp status. If you're an LLC that wants S-corp treatment, that's a separate election on Form 2553, and the IRS responds to it with its own acceptance letter. Our overview of S-corp tax services explains how the two pieces fit together.

Sole proprietors may also have an EIN, even though they report income on Schedule C. The same 147C process applies. When you file, the correct IRS business code is a separate item that goes on the return itself.

How do I keep my EIN paperwork from getting lost again?

Treat the EIN documents like formation records:

Save a PDF of the CP 575 or the 147C in your business records folder.
Keep the IRS letters with your articles of organization and operating agreement.
Make sure your bookkeeper or monthly bookkeeping provider has the exact legal name and EIN on file.
Update your address with the IRS when it changes, and mark any extension deadlines such as Form 7004 on a shared calendar.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a fee for IRS Form 147C?

No. The IRS provides the EIN verification letter at no charge. Be wary of third-party sites that charge for something you can request directly.

Can I get Form 147C online?

Not as a standard IRS download or self-service form. The usual route is calling the Business & Specialty Tax Line. Check IRS.gov for any change in process before you start.

Is a 147C the same as a CP 575?

No. The CP 575 is the original EIN assignment notice. The 147C is the replacement verification letter the IRS issues when the original isn't available.

Can my accountant request it for me?

Possibly, if the IRS has a valid authorization on file for that representative. The IRS may still require the responsible party to take part in the call.

Will a bank accept Letter 147C?

Most do, since it's an official IRS document that confirms the EIN, name, and address. Banks set their own documentation rules, so ask what they require.

What's the next step?

If you're hunting for EIN paperwork because of a bank, lender, or a notice from the IRS, start with the phone request above and ask for the letter by fax. If something larger is going on, like unfiled returns, mismatched entity names, or a notice you don't understand, a conversation with a professional can save you time.

SBZ Tax works with small-business owners and individuals across the U.S., remotely and at our walk-in office in Palmdale, CA. You can call 818-748-2020, visit the office, or book a free consultation.

This article is general information, not tax advice for your specific situation. Talk to a qualified tax professional about your circumstances.

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