How to Get a 147C Letter from the IRS

Your client calls on a Friday afternoon. Their bank is holding up a business account opening because they can’t produce EIN documentation. The original CP575 is gone — filed in a drawer that no longer exists, or never printed in the first place. You need a 147C letter, and you need it fast.

This is a common situation for accounting firms that handle entity setups, payroll onboarding, or bank account paperwork for clients. Here’s exactly what a 147C is, who can request it, and how to get it without wasting a morning on hold.

What a 147C Letter Actually Is

A 147C letter is an IRS-issued EIN verification letter. It confirms three things on file with the IRS: the legal business name, the Employer Identification Number, and the address of record. That’s it — no new EIN is assigned, no account is modified. The IRS is simply confirming what already exists.

It serves as the replacement document when the original CP575 (the EIN assignment notice issued when you first applied) is lost or unavailable. Banks commonly request it when opening business accounts or verifying tax identification information, and it carries the same weight as the original notice.

One practical note: the IRS now issues a digital CP575 that it considers a valid substitute for both the original CP575 series and the 147C. If your client applied for their EIN online and downloaded that digital notice, they may already have what the bank needs. Check that first before calling the IRS — it could save an hour.

Who Can Request a 147C Letter

Only the business itself or an authorized third party can request a 147C. As the firm’s CPA or authorized representative, you can call on behalf of a client — but you’ll need to be listed on a Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) or be otherwise authorized to speak about that entity’s account. The IRS will verify your authorization before releasing anything.

If you’re calling for a client, have these ready before you dial:

• The business’s legal name exactly as filed with the IRS
• The EIN
• The business address of record
• Your Form 2848 or authorization documentation
• The responsible party’s Social Security Number or ITIN (the IRS may ask)

Step-by-Step: How to Request the Letter

Step 1 — Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line. The number is 800-829-4933. This is the correct line for EIN-related questions. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Do not use the general individual taxpayer line — you’ll waste time and get transferred.

Step 2 — Navigate the automated system. Select the option for Employer Identification Numbers when prompted. The system will ask you to confirm the entity type. Stay on the line for a live agent — there is no automated path that issues a 147C directly.

Step 3 — Verify identity with the agent. The agent will ask you to confirm the business name, EIN, address of record, and your authority to act on behalf of the entity. Have your Form 2848 in front of you. If anything doesn’t match IRS records — a name formatted differently, an old address — the agent may not be able to release the letter, so confirm the exact information on file before you call if possible.

Step 4 — Choose delivery method: fax or mail. The IRS will either fax the 147C to a number you provide or mail it to the address of record. Fax is faster — typically same-day or next business day if you call early. Mail can take two to three weeks. If the bank needs it urgently, request fax delivery. You’ll need an active fax number; many firms use an online fax service for exactly this reason.

Step 5 — Confirm receipt and file it. Once you receive the letter, confirm that the business name, EIN, and address match exactly what the client uses on tax filings and bank documents. A mismatch — even a minor one like “LLC” versus “L.L.C.” — can create problems downstream. If there’s an error, that’s a separate correction process; the 147C itself doesn’t fix data, it only reflects what the IRS has.

Common Reasons Firms Need This Letter

Beyond the lost-CP575 scenario, you’ll encounter 147C requests in a few recurring situations:

• Payroll processor onboarding. New payroll providers often require EIN verification before activating an account. A 147C satisfies this.
• SBA loan or credit applications. Lenders frequently ask for written IRS confirmation of EIN and legal name.
• Mergers and acquisitions due diligence. Buyers want to confirm the entity’s IRS-registered name matches the legal name in transaction documents.
• State agency registrations. Some state tax agencies and licensing boards require federal EIN documentation.
• New CPA onboarding. When a client switches firms and you’re building their file from scratch, having the 147C on record prevents issues later.

For a firm that handles business clients regularly, keeping a copy of every client’s CP575 or 147C in their permanent file is worth making a standard intake step. QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Cloud Hosting Guide

How Sagenext Helps

When you’re chasing an IRS letter for a client, the last thing you need is a software headache layered on top. Sagenext hosts QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Enterprise, Lacerte, Drake, ProSeries, UltraTax, and other tax and accounting applications on a fully managed cloud platform — so your team can pull up client records, verify payroll data, or check the EIN on a filed return from any device, anywhere, without being tied to an office server.

If a client calls with an urgent 147C situation and you need to cross-reference their payroll filings or entity setup while you’re on hold with the IRS, your hosted environment is already there. No VPN failures, no IT calls, no waiting for someone back at the office to look something up. Sagenext handles provisioning, backups, security, and updates — you stay focused on the client work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a CP575 and a 147C letter?

The CP575 is the original EIN assignment notice the IRS mails after you apply for an EIN — it’s issued once. The 147C is a verification letter you request when that original notice is lost or unavailable. Both confirm the same information: business name, EIN, and address of record. The IRS also issues a digital CP575 that it accepts as a substitute for both documents, so check whether your client has that before requesting a 147C.

How long does it take to receive a 147C letter?

If you request delivery by fax, the IRS typically sends it the same day or the next business day. Mail delivery takes approximately two to three weeks. For any time-sensitive situation — a bank account opening, a loan closing — always request fax delivery and have an active fax number ready before you call.

Can a CPA request a 147C on behalf of a client?

Yes, but only with proper authorization. You’ll need a signed Form 2848 (Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative) on file that covers the tax matter in question. The IRS agent will verify your authority before releasing the letter. Without that documentation, the agent will only speak with the business owner or responsible party directly.

Does requesting a 147C change the business’s EIN or IRS records?

No. The IRS does not create a new EIN or modify any existing information when it issues a 147C. The letter is purely confirmatory. If the IRS records contain an error — wrong legal name, outdated address — a 147C will reflect that error. Correcting IRS records requires a separate process, typically a written request with supporting documentation. IRS

What if the business name on the 147C doesn’t match what the bank has on file?

This is a real problem and worth catching before it delays a transaction. Compare the name on the 147C to the name on the business’s most recently filed tax return (Form 941, 1120, 1065, etc.) and to the name the bank has. If there’s a discrepancy, determine which record is correct and whether the IRS needs an update. Mismatches between IRS records and bank records can hold up account openings, payroll activation, and SBA applications.

Key Takeaways

• A 147C letter confirms an existing EIN, legal business name, and address — it does not create or change anything in IRS records.
• Only the business owner or an authorized representative (with Form 2848) can request a 147C from the IRS.
• Call 800-829-4933, the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line, and request fax delivery for same-day or next-business-day turnaround.
• Before calling, verify the exact business name and address currently on file with the IRS — any mismatch will stop the agent from releasing the letter.
• The digital CP575 is an IRS-accepted substitute for the 147C; check whether your client already has one before going through the request process.
• Build a standard intake step for new business clients: collect and file the CP575 or 147C at onboarding so you’re never scrambling when a bank calls.