A 147c letter, also known as an EIN verification letter or Form 147c, is an official Internal Revenue Service (IRS) document in the USA. It is issued when a company has either misplaced or lost its Employer Identification Number (EIN) and needs to confirm it. It is known by other names too, such as 147c letter IRS, or IRS EIN confirmation letter.

In simple terms, this number consists of nine digits and is formatted as XX-XXXXXXX. The EIN confirmation letter is not a request to create an EIN; rather, the IRS sends it to confirm the business’s existing EIN.

The IRS 147c letter serves as a CP 575 replacement, since the IRS only issues the CP 575 once when the EIN is first created.

Alternatives To A 147c Letter

Before submitting the IRS 147c request, there are various places to locate your EIN verification details. Look at places such as:

The confirmation mail or IRS business letter that was obtained at the time the EIN application was submitted.
Local or state agencies where the person must’ve applied for licensing.
Financial institutions where opening an account or applying for a loan requires the use of the EIN.
Finally, any tax returns that had to be filed using the EIN.

Start for Free

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1.	What is a 147c letter from the IRS?
Ans.	A 147c form is also known as the EIN verification letter. As a matter of fact, the IRS sends it to a company when they have either lost or misplaced its their EIN number.
Q2.	How can I request a 147c letter from the IRS?
Ans.	To request it, you need to directly contact the IRS Business and Specialty Tax line at 1-800-829-4933. They are open from Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM local taxpayer time (Alaska and Hawaii follow Pacific Time). After asking you several security questions, they will mail you or fax you your EIN verification letter. All in all, this is the fastest way to obtain your IRS EIN confirmation.
Q3.	Who can request a 147c letter?
Ans.	A business owner or an authorized person can request it. Only a legally authorized person, such as a trustee, corporate officer, administrator, or an authorized third-party designee, can contact the IRS to confirm an existing EIN or obtain Letter 147c.
Q4.	Why do I need a 147c letter?
Ans.	You need a 147c letter as an official document from the IRS to verify your business’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) in case your original EIN confirmation notice is lost or misplaced.
Q5.	How long does it take to get a 147c letter?
Ans.	There is no standard timeframe for delivery. In fact, the duration depends on IRS procedures and the delivery method. Most of these requests are processed by phone and sent within a few business days by mail or fax.
Q6.	Can I get a 147c letter online or by email?
Ans.	The primary method of obtaining this letter is by phone or fax. Generally, they don’t send it via mail due to security reasons. However, in some cases, on a written request, it can be sent via mail.