IRS CP575 and Letter 147C Explained: Proof of Your EIN

What these letters are

When the IRS assigns a new EIN, it confirms it with a notice from the CP575 series (CP575A through CP575J, "Notice of New Employer Identification Number"). The IRS says that original notice can't be duplicated or recreated, so if you lose it, you need a substitute.

There are now two official substitutes:

• Digital CP575 ("Employer Identification Number Verification Notice"): a downloadable notice in the IRS Business Tax Account, under Tax Records. The IRS says it "can be used as a substitute for the original CP575A-J notice series and Letter 147C."
• Letter 147C ("EIN Previously Assigned"): a letter you request by calling the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line.

The IRS says the digital CP575 "is accepted by banks and other institutions as written confirmation of an entity's EIN."

Why you need one

The IRS gives the most common reason itself: you may need to confirm your EIN "when you open a bank account for your entity or obtain other business services."

Is there a deadline?

No. There's nothing to reply to. The IRS instruction is simply: "Keep this notice in your permanent records," and use your EIN "on all items you send to the IRS and the Social Security Administration in connection with your business activities."

How to get proof of your EIN, step by step

1. Look for the original first. The IRS suggests checking the notice it sent when you applied, the bank that has your business account, state or local license agencies you applied with, and past business tax returns.
2. Check whether you can use Business Tax Account. If your business is eligible, sign in to Business Tax Account and download the digital CP575 from Tax Records.
3. Single-member LLC? Plan on Letter 147C. The IRS says Business Tax Account "isn't yet available for limited liability companies (LLCs) that file as sole proprietors with Schedule C or Schedule F (Form 1040)."
4. Call for Letter 147C. The Business and Specialty Tax Line is 800-829-4933, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. The IRS verifies your identity and gives the number only to someone authorized to receive it.
5. Or request an entity transcript. The IRS lists an entity transcript as another way to confirm your EIN (Get a business tax transcript).
6. Save copies. The IRS suggests making several copies, since you'll be asked for EIN verification more than once.

Common mistakes

When to get help

This one is usually a do-it-yourself call to the IRS. Get help if you received an EIN you didn't request or think someone used your business information (see the IRS EIN page), if you aren't sure which of two EINs is right, or if you're still setting up the business and want the EIN, bank account, Connecticut registration and bookkeeping done in the right order. That's what our Business Launch Setup covers.