IRS 147C Letter: How to Request EIN Verification

Your bank just put a business loan on hold because you can’t produce written proof of your EIN. You know the number — it’s on every tax return you’ve filed — but the original CP 575 confirmation notice is long gone, and the bank won’t budge without documentation. This is the situation where the IRS 147C letter matters.

Here’s the full picture: what the letter is, who can request it, exactly how the call works, and what alternatives exist when time is short.

What the 147C Letter Actually Is

The 147C is the IRS’s EIN verification letter. It confirms that a specific Employer Identification Number belongs to the named business entity. It is not a new EIN — it simply documents the one already on record with the IRS.

The original EIN confirmation comes on a CP 575 notice, mailed by the IRS when the EIN is first assigned. The IRS does not reissue the CP 575 under any circumstances. If that notice is lost, the 147C is the official substitute. Banks, lenders, payroll processors, and other institutions accept it as written proof of EIN.

For a CPA or bookkeeper handling entity setup or responding to a client’s banking need, understanding this distinction prevents a wasted call asking for a replacement CP 575 that will never come.

Who Can Request It

The IRS will only issue a 147C to the business owner or an authorized third party with legal authority to act on the business’s behalf. For a CPA calling on behalf of a client, that typically means having a valid Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) or Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization) on file.

Before you pick up the phone for a client, confirm your authorization is current and covers this type of disclosure. The IRS representative will ask.

The Exact Steps to Request a 147C Letter

Step 1 — Gather What You Need Before Calling

Have the following ready before you dial:

• The business’s full legal name as it appears on IRS records
• The EIN itself
• The business address on file with the IRS
• Your authorization documentation (Form 2848 or 8821) if calling on a client’s behalf
• A fax number if you want same-day delivery — more on that below

Step 2 — Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line

Dial 1-800-829-4933. This is the only IRS line that handles 147C requests. The line is open Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time; callers in Alaska and Hawaii use Pacific Time.

Expect hold times. Call early in the week and early in the morning for shorter waits. Avoid Mondays and the days immediately following a federal holiday.

Step 3 — Navigate the Automated Menu

When prompted, select the option for Employer Identification Numbers. Do not select the option for individual tax matters — that will route you to the wrong department and require a callback.

Step 4 — Verify Identity With the IRS Representative

The representative will ask identity verification questions before pulling up the account. For a business owner calling directly, this typically includes the EIN, legal name, address, and information from a recently filed return. For an authorized representative, be ready to confirm your CAF number and the authorization on file.

Do not rush this step. If you can’t pass verification, the representative cannot issue the letter.

Step 5 — Choose Delivery: Fax or Mail

Once identity is confirmed, the IRS can send the 147C by fax or by mail. Fax is significantly faster — you can have the letter in hand before the call ends if you provide a fax number at the start. Mail delivery adds several business days.

If your client needs the letter urgently for a closing or loan deadline, fax is the only practical option. Make sure a working fax number is ready before the call.

Step 6 — Confirm and File the Letter

Verify that the name, EIN, and address on the received 147C match IRS records exactly. A mismatch — even a missing comma in the entity name — can cause a bank to reject it. If anything is off, call back immediately.

Store the letter in your document management system. Clients frequently need it again.

The Digital CP 575 Alternative

If the business has access to the IRS Business Tax Account portal, there is a faster path. The IRS states that the digital CP 575 available through that portal can be used as a substitute for both the original CP 575 notice series and the 147C letter, and that banks and other institutions accept it as written confirmation of EIN. IRS

For clients who have set up Business Tax Account access, this eliminates the phone call entirely. For those who haven’t, the 147C request process above remains the standard route.

Common Mistakes That Delay the Process

• Calling without authorization in place. If your POA isn’t current, the IRS won’t issue the letter to you. Fix this before calling, not during.
• Requesting a replacement CP 575. The IRS will not send one. Ask specifically for a 147C.
• Giving the bank a faxed copy before confirming accuracy. Verify every field against the entity’s existing IRS correspondence first.
• Waiting until the day of a deadline. Even fax delivery requires a successful call and verification. Build in a day of buffer.

How Sagenext Helps

Handling EIN verification requests is one small piece of a larger workflow that includes preparing and filing business returns, managing entity records, and keeping practice software current. For CPA firms running Drake, Lacerte, ProSeries, UltraTax, or QuickBooks on local machines, software updates, backups, and multi-user access are ongoing friction points.

Sagenext hosts these applications on a fully managed cloud platform — provisioning, security, backups, and updates are handled for the firm. Staff access the same software from any location through a remote desktop session, without IT overhead. If your firm is evaluating whether hosted software fits your workflow, Sagenext offers a free trial with no credit card required.

For firms already running QuickBooks Desktop and looking at how entity-level data flows into client records, see how other practitioners are structuring their setups. Remote Hosting QuickBooks Desktop

Key Takeaways

• The IRS does not reissue the CP 575; the 147C is the only official substitute for EIN verification.
• Call 1-800-829-4933, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time (Alaska and Hawaii use Pacific Time).
• Only the business owner or an authorized third party with a current Form 2848 or 8821 can request the letter.
• Fax delivery is available during the call and is the fastest option for urgent deadlines.
• The digital CP 575 via IRS Business Tax Account is a valid alternative that banks accept, and it skips the phone call entirely.
• Verify every field on the received letter before submitting it to a bank or lender — a name mismatch will cause rejection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 147C letter from the IRS?

A 147C letter is the IRS’s official EIN verification document. It confirms that a specific Employer Identification Number is assigned to the named business entity. The IRS issues it as a substitute when the original CP 575 EIN confirmation notice has been lost or was never received. Banks, lenders, and other institutions accept it as written proof of a business’s EIN.

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

Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time. Select the EIN option from the automated menu, pass identity verification, and request the 147C. The IRS can deliver it by fax during the call or by mail. Have your EIN, business name, address, and fax number ready before you call.

Can my CPA request the 147C letter on my behalf?

Yes, but only if your CPA has current authorization on file with the IRS — typically a Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) or Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization). The IRS representative will verify that authorization during the call before issuing the letter. Without it, the representative cannot release the letter to a third party.

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

If you provide a fax number during the call, the IRS can send the letter immediately — you may receive it before the call ends. Mail delivery takes several additional business days. For any time-sensitive need such as a loan closing, always request fax delivery.

Is there any way to get EIN verification without calling the IRS?

Yes. Businesses with access to the IRS Business Tax Account portal can download a digital CP 575, which the IRS states is accepted by banks and other institutions as EIN confirmation — making it a functional substitute for the 147C. If that portal access isn’t set up, the phone call to 1-800-829-4933 remains the standard process.