A 147C letter is a letter from the IRS that re-confirms your business’s Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need one when the original EIN confirmation (the CP 575 notice) is lost and a bank, payment processor, or government office asks for proof of your EIN. It cannot be ordered online. You request it by phone, and if you give the IRS a fax number it usually arrives within minutes of the call.
This guide covers what the letter shows, who asks for it, and how to request it step by step. Most of our clients are founders living outside the U.S., so it also covers what changes when you call from abroad and have no SSN.
What is a 147c letter?
This is a document that serves as proof confirming the association of an entity with an Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
In simpler terms, the IRS 147c Letter is an official document issued by the IRS confirming the association of a business name and EIN for a company. It acts as an EIN verification letter when the original CP 575 EIN confirmation letter is misplaced.
Upon applying for an EIN, the IRS confirms your application by sending a CP575 notice, however this letter can be easily misfiled or lost, especially if you move houses, forgot to update files or delete files digitally. In those scenarios, the 147c Letter helps fill in the gaps.
The letter cannot be obtained online and needs to be requested from the IRS directly. It proves your EIN number and is in most instances accepted by banks and partnering businesses as sufficient identification of your entity’s legal existence.
What Information is on a 147c Letter?
A 147c Letter contains the basic identification details of your business extracted from the IRS records. Following is what the letter typically entails:
Business Legal Name: As filed with the IRS during the EIN issuance application.
Employer Identification Number (EIN): Your unique federal tax identification number consisting of 9 digits.
Business Address: Address registered with the IRS concerning your entity.
Entity Type: Whether your business is LLC, C Corporation, S Corporation, Partnership etc.
Date the EIN Was Assigned: Helpful in verifying applicable history for your business.
IRS Contact Information: Containing the IRS section and office telephone number in the instance additional confirmation is required.
When dealing with organizations and businesses that require government-issued documents and trustworthy identification, this document provides an undeniable assurance as well as an official confirmation of your EIN.
Who Would Request a 147c Letter?
Before providing services or approving applications, numerous agencies require formal verification of your EIN as a form of identification. Following are some examples of entities that are likely to request your 147c Letter:
1. Banks and Financial Institutions
While opening a business bank account or applying for a loan, banks often ask for proof of your EIN. If you have lost your CP 575, the 147c Letter can act as a substitute.
2. Government Agencies
Local and state licensing departments often verify the EIN for registration purposes while issuing business permits, licenses or sales tax registrations. These departments frequently need to verify that your business is registered with the federal government.
3. Vendors and Suppliers
Particularly larger suppliers such as those providing credit or extended terms may use these to check if your business is registered with the IRS. They often seek to confirm that your business is legitimate and formally registered before any contracts are signed.
4. Payroll and HR Services
Tax reporting under the correct business entity is a requirement when onboarding employees, thus it is common for payroll providers to verify EIN prior to filing taxes.
5. Credit Agencies and Lenders
Lines of credit, business credit cards, and financing partners wish to see confirmed documentation of your EIN to validate your business identity and mitigate identity theft.
In all these matters, the 147c Letter serves as a confirmation of your business identity and registration with the IRS for a federal tax number.
Why is a 147c Letter Important?
The 147c Letter is much more than a mere formality. The letter is crucial in providing seamless functioning, while reducing bureaucracy in administrative processes.
Here are a few reasons why the 147c letter is important:
✅ Official EIN Verification
The only document issued by the IRS which can replace the CP 575 EIN confirmation letter is the 147c Letter. The letter serves as proof of an EIN and its validation comes from the IRS itself.
✅ Required for Business Operations
Bank account openings and licenses applications are governed by EIN verification. Without a 147c Letter or CP575, one may encounter several obstacles in various aspects of business operation or setup.
✅ Avoiding Delays and Rejections
Insufficient compliance in EIN verification is a common reason why banks, creditors, and even some government institutions may reject applications or delay processing. The possession of a 147c Letter means that you can readily meet such requests without frustrating delays.
✅ Peace of Mind and Compliance
Beyond the practical side, having the letter on file means you can prove your EIN quickly to any institution that relies on it.
How To Request A 147c Letter From The IRS: Step by Step Guide
Acquiring a 147c Letter for the purpose of verifying your EIN is a very easy process as long as you follow the guidelines. To make the request as easy and streamlined as possible, make sure to follow the guide listed below:
Step 1: Prepare Required Information
Make sure that the essential information is in your possession to make the call to IRS. The details that you will need include:
- The business’s legal name (as registered with the IRS)
- Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- The address the IRS has on record for the business
- An explanation as to why the information is needed, example: confirmation of the EIN, bank requirements, etc.
Being armed with this information ensures that you will not face delays in the review process.
Step 2: Contact the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line
To obtain your 147c Letter, you must contact the IRS directly at:
- Phone: 1-800-829-4933
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (local time)
The IRS confirms on its EIN page that Letter 147C is requested by calling this line. Online and email requests are not accepted. Calling from outside the U.S.? See the section on requesting from abroad below.
Step 3: Confirm Your Identity and Authorization
The IRS will only give EIN information to a person authorized to receive it, such as the owner of a single-member LLC, a partner, or a corporate officer. Once you are connected, expect questions to confirm who you are:
Prepare the following:
- Your full name and your position in the business (owner, member, partner, officer)
- The business’s legal name, EIN, and the address the IRS has on file
- Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), if you have one. Many foreign owners got their EIN without either. If that is you, say so at the start of the call and answer the identity questions using the details on the IRS record.
If someone else calls on your behalf, such as an accountant or a formation service, they need your signed authorization on IRS Form 2848 or Form 8821.
Step 4: Request the 147c Letter
After confirming your identity, inform the representative that you intend to request a 147c Letter confirming your EIN. At that point, you will be asked about your preferred method of receiving the letter.
- By Fax (Fastest Option): If you value speed, ask the letter to be sent via fax. Just ensure you provide a secure fax number.
- By Mail: In situations where a fax machine is not readily available, the IRS can send the letter through the postal service to the address on file.
- Note: This method in receiving the letter may take anywhere from several days to a few weeks, depending on postal delivery times.
Step 5: Confirm and Safeguard the Letter
- Review the document thoroughly to ensure there were no mistakes with the business name, address, and EIN number.
- Store the letter safely in case it is needed for business bank accounts, licenses, or other official documents.
If any discrepancies are identified, reach out to the IRS immediately to update the record.
Requesting a 147C Letter From Outside the United States
The request itself is the same when you live abroad, but four practical things change.
Which number to call
Call the Business & Specialty Tax Line, 800-829-4933. You may see 267-941-1099 recommended for international callers. According to the IRS, that line is for applying for a new EIN when your principal place of business is outside the U.S. It is not for a letter confirming an EIN you already have. U.S. toll-free numbers often can’t be dialed from outside North America, so founders abroad usually call through an internet calling service that can reach U.S. toll-free numbers.
When to call
The IRS lists the hours as 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday, U.S. local time. If you plan around U.S. Eastern Time, that window runs roughly from 4:45 p.m. to 4:45 a.m. in Nepal (4:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. in India) while the U.S. is on daylight saving time, from mid-March to early November. For the rest of the year it is one hour later.
How to receive the letter
The IRS’s internal procedures state that a Letter 147C “can be faxed to the taxpayer or authorized third party if requested.” If you don’t have a fax machine, the simplest option is an online fax service that gives you a U.S. fax number and forwards incoming faxes to your email. A letter mailed to an address outside the U.S. will take longer than the 7–14 business days quoted below for U.S. addresses.
If you don’t have an SSN or ITIN
The IRS also offers a downloadable digital CP575 through its online Business Tax Account, and it accepts that as a substitute for the 147C. However, Business Tax Account requires an SSN or ITIN, so most foreign owners can’t use it and the phone call remains the practical route. If you can’t take the call yourself, you can authorize someone to call for you with Form 8821 or Form 2848 (see the FAQ below).
What is the Process of Receiving a 147C Letter from the IRS?
After going through identity verification steps with the IRS, the requested letter will be sent through one of the following ways:
📠 Fax
In case you have access to a fax machine, the 147c Letter can be sent to you immediately after the phone call. This is the fastest way of receiving the document, which can come through within minutes.
If a fax isn’t available, the IRS will be able to mail the letter to the business address in their records. This option takes 7 – 14 business days depending on your location and USPS delivery timelines.
Tip: It is extremely important to keep your IRS records current. If your address has changed and is not reflected in the IRS records, the letter is likely to be sent to the wrong location.
How Can Bizstartz Assist in Filing a 147C Letter
We at Bizstartz take pride in supporting business owners across the globe in registering and managing businesses in the US. Regardless of whether you are new in becoming a business founder or a seasoned business owner, dealing with the IRS is always complex, more so for overseas citizens.
This is precisely why we are here.
This is how Bizstartz will assist you with your 147c Letter:
✅ Interaction with IRS: We make the call to the IRS for you (with your permission), so you do not have to sit on hold or pass through screens of menus.
✅ Fast Deliveries: We guarantee fast delivery either by fax or mail of the 147c Letter.
✅ Bilingual Support Worldwide: We help foreign non-residents and foreign entrepreneurs cope with IRS paperwork in a timely and hassle-free manner.
✅ Other Services: If you require more than just a 147c Letter, we also provide EIN registration, ITINs, BOI filings, bookkeeping, provide registered agent services and set up US bank accounts – all in one place.
Reducing the frustration associated with compliance is our number one goal so you can concentrate on what is important, expanding your company.
Get Your 147c Letter with Minimal Effort
If you need quick verification to keep your business operations running smoothly, or have misplaced your EIN letter, don’t hassle with the IRS’s long wait times. With Bizstartz, you get the value of having the entire process handled with expert oversight, all while being guided securely and efficiently through every stage of the procedure.
👉 Reach out to us today for more information on requesting your 147c letter and to find out about other services related to business compliance in the United States.
Commonly Asked Questions
Is it possible for me to place an order for a 147c Letter on the internet?
No. There is no online option provided for requesting a 147c Letter and it must be done over the telephone with the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line.
Can I request a 147c Letter if I live outside the United States?
Yes. Call the Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 during U.S. business hours, using an internet calling service if the toll-free number won’t connect from your country. Ask for the letter to be faxed to a U.S. online fax number so it reaches your email the same day. The 267-941-1099 international line is for new EIN applications, not 147C letters.
How long does it take to receive the letter?
If the letter is sent by fax, you’ll have it in your hand immediately after the call. If you are mailed, it may take between 7 – 14 working days for you to receive it based on your geographical location and the postal service.
What’s the difference between the CP 575 and the 147c Letter?
The CP 575 letter is the original EIN confirmation letter that is issued when you apply for an EIN. The 147c letter is a reissued confirmation but serves as a valid substitute when CP 575 is lost.
Can I have someone else call the IRS for me?
The request can only be made by someone who is listed as an authorized person in the IRS records (like a business owner or an officer). As for now, Bizstartz is able to help you with this as long as you give them the right instructions through IRS Form 2848 or 8821.
Will banks accept a 147c Letter to open an account?
Yes. US banks and fintech providers widely accept a 147c Letter as proof of EIN when opening a business account, especially when the CP 575 is unavailable.
Related Guides
- How to Get an EIN Without an SSN (2026): A Non-Resident’s Guide
- Form 5472 for Foreign-Owned US LLCs: Who Files, When & Penalties
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