What is a 147c Letter?
A 147C letter is a document given to businesses by the IRS in order to verify EIN (employer identification number) information! It is commonly requested when an original EIN confirmation notice (CP 575) has been lost. The IRS has only one CP 575 document that it sends to taxpayers when an EIN is assigned, but businesses may request a 147C Letter as a substitute confirmation.
It’s like a business’s version of a Social Security number, and it is called an Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need it to open business bank accounts, apply for a loan, hire employees, file your tax return, and go through other essential financial and legal motions.
The 147C Letter contains the name of your business, the address of record and EIN reported to IRS. It does not give a new EIN, but certifies the one that was already entered. Put simply, the 147C Letter is the substitute EIN proof document. It allows companies to confirm an EIN, address reporting errors , and comply with third parties who may require the information, without having to apply for a new EIN.
If you do not have a 147C Letter, you may be able to find the EIN on a pay stub, Form W-2, or previously filed tax documents. A pay stub created through a reliable free paystub maker can help you locate the number for reference.
IRS Letter 147c- Purpose And How It Is Delivered?
Here we mention some of the important information regarding the EIN letter.
-
Purpose of IRS 147c
The 147C Letter also verifies that a business has the right EIN on file with the IRS. This is often needed for banking, tax reporting, licensing, and payroll processing when EIN validation is required.
-
Requesting the Letter
If a business owner has misplaced or lost their original EIN confirmation notice — form CP 575, they can ask for the 147C Letter as a replacement.
-
What the Letter Includes
The 147C Letter provides a business name, address , and EIN just as it is on file with the IRS. It doesn’t authoritatively issue an EIN , but it certifies the current one.
-
How It Is Delivered
The IRS may fax a Form 147C to the caller or mail one to the business address on record, depending upon circumstances and the specified choice of delivery method
.
How to Get a 147c Letter?
Here’s how to obtain a 147c letter from the IRS, a document for verification of your business’s Employer Identification Number (EIN):
Steps to Obtain a 147c Letter
- Prepare Information
Have your EIN ready.Be sure to have evidence of who you are and your position with the organization (i.e. officer, owner, etc).
- Call the IRS
Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933. The line is typically open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., local time.
- Verify Identity
Verify Identification and authority. You must confirm your identity and authority to ask details.
- Request the 147C Letter
After having confirmed your identity, you can place an order for the 147c. And please let us know if you would like the letter faxed or mailed.
- Receive the Letter
Your request will be processed by Fax, Post, or Email within 24 hours. If you ask for it by mail, it might come in anywhere from a couple of days to weeks, depending on where you are.
How To Get Form 147c?
In order to get a 147C Letter, you would need to call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933. The line is open generally Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., local time. Online requests for this letter are not permitted by the IRS., so a phone call is the only means by which to request it.
During the call, an IRS agent will confirm your identity by asking security questions about your business. You can handle it the way you like to get the letter as soon as your detail is verified.
Are There Alternatives to Form 147c?
One of the most common places to find your EIN is at your bank. Because you would have initially furnished it when opening business accounts or applying for credit, your bank can typically give it to you (under identity verification) more quickly than many other ways of obtaining it.
If neither is an option, here are some of the other official forms you may have on file with your EIN, which might satisfy the requirement:
- Loan application forms
- Tax returns your business has filed
- Bank or credit card application documents
- Licensing paperwork submitted to government agencies
Any of these records can serve as a reliable source for finding your organization’s EIN when needed.
The 147c form is easy enough to get, but you need to communicate directly with the IRS, identify yourself and your company through the EIN.



