If you have lost your federal employer identification number, you can contact the IRS to request a copy of the EIN confirmation letter. To request a copy of the EIN Verification Letter (147C), complete the following steps: Only an owner or a Power of Attorney (POA) can request a 147C Letter. If you would like a POA to request your EIN Verification Letter (147C), both you and your POA will need to complete the IRS Form 2848 and have it ready to send to the IRS via fax during the phone call with the IRS. For
more information on how to retrieve your EIN Verification Letter, visit this IRS resource.
A tax ID verification letter is the official confirmation that the Internal Revenue Service sends following a request for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). The process to apply for an EIN and subsequent verification letter is fairly simple. You can even get a replacement letter if the original is lost.
Importance of an EIN
An EIN is a specific identifying number matched to a business, just like a Social Security number identifies individual taxpayers. Almost all businesses need an EIN, but the IRS has a quick checklist on its website to help business owners determine their need based upon each specific situation. There are then several ways to apply for number.
Applying for an EIN
IRS Online Application
The easiest (and IRS-preferred) method is to use its free online application. An interview-style application guides users through the process. You need to provide the following basic business information:
- Legal name of the business entity
- Business address
- Business type, i.e., sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, corporation, etc.
- Reason for applying, such as new business, hired employees, opening bank account
- Principal activity of the business
You must complete your online application in one session, as you cannot save the form and you will be logged out of the system after 15 minutes of inactivity. The service is available from Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Fax or Mail the Form
If you prefer, you can fill out IRS Form SS-4 and fax or mail it. The phone number and address are listed in the form instructions. Both the fillable form and instructions can be found on the IRS website.
Receiving Your Tax ID Verification
If you use the online application to obtain your EIN, you will receive an immediate response and be able to print out your EIN confirmation notice right away. It's a good idea to save the document so you have an electronic record of your transaction and documentation. If you apply using Form SS-4 and fax it, you will receive the tax ID verification letter, known as a CP 575, within four business days. If you apply by mail, the letter should arrive in about four weeks.
Getting a Replacement Verification Letter
In the event that you applied for your EIN in the past and have lost or misplaced your paper copy of the verification letter, there are a few things you can do to locate it.
Check old files: If you applied online, check in your Download file for a copy of the letter from when you originally applied for the EIN. Also, thoroughly check files from when you started your business.
Check with the bank: If you applied for a loan when you started your business, the bank may have asked for a copy of your verification letter. Retrieving a copy from them may help out if time is short.
Get a replacement: It is also easy to request a replacement letter directly from the IRS. Simply call their Business and Specialty Tax line at 800-829-4933. Although you may experience up to a 30-minute hold time, the representative will first verify your identity and then work with you to get your replacement letter.
The 147c letter is a replacement verification letter and is not a duplicate of the original EIN confirmation letter. However, it still serves as the official documentation you may need if someone has asked you to provide proof of your EIN.
How Important Is a Verification Letter?
In many cases, once you have initially received your EIN you may never need to show your tax ID verification letter to anyone. However, if you are applying for a loan or working with a new vendor, you may be asked for official verification of your EIN.