147C Letter Explained
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key Takeaways:
- A 147c Letter, EIN Verification Letter, is a tax document used to request information about an already established employer identification number (EIN). Taxpayers may need to use EIN Verification Letter 147c to request their EIN if they lost their initial EIN Confirmation Letter CP 575.
- The only way to recover your EIN by requesting EIN Verification Letter 147c is by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-4933.
- Taxpayers who request and are approved for an EIN Verification Letter 147c can choose to receive the through the mail or by fax, but not email, as it is not secure enough.
What Is A 147c Letter?
A 147c Letter, EIN Verification Letter, is a tax document used to request information about an already established employer identification number (EIN). Taxpayers may need to use EIN Verification Letter 147c to request their EIN if they lost their initial EIN Confirmation Letter CP 575.
CP 575 or 147c?
CP 575 is the EIN confirmation letter that the IRS initially sends the taxpayer when they register for an employer identification number. If the taxpayer loses this confirmation letter, they can request an EIN Verification Letter, or 147c Letter, to access the information that was lost or misplaced.
How To Request EIN Verification Letter 147c
There is only one way to recover your EIN by requesting EIN Verification Letter 147c, and that is by calling the IRS. Here is exactly how to proceed with that call to ensure you get all of the information you need:
1. Dial 1-800-829-4933 to call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line.
2. Select option 1 for communication in English.
3. Select option 1 to indicate you are inquiring about Employer Identification Numbers.
4. Select option 3 to indicate that you already have an EIN but no longer have access to that information.
5. Tell the IRS agent you speak with that you already have an LLC business entity but that you need an EIN Verification Letter (147c).
6. Answer all of the security questions used to confirm your ownership of the LLC.
7. Indicate whether you would prefer to receive your EIN Verification Letter 147c via mail or by fax.
Can My EIN Verification Be Emailed To Me?
Due to security reasons, the IRS will always send important information, including your EIN Verification Letter 147c, by mail or by fax, and never by email. Here is what will happen when you select to receive your 147c Letter by mail or by email:
- Mail: It may take 4-6 weeks for you to receive a paper copy of EIN Verification Letter 147c in the mail, as it takes a while for the correspondence to be organized, the postage stamp to be applied to the envelope, and the message to be sent. While on the phone, the IRS agent acting as the sender will confirm that the mailing address that is on file for your LLC is the best address for the recipient to access this important letter.
- Fax: Individuals who elect to receive their EIN Verification Letter 147c through fax will be a much faster process, as the IRS agent will initiate the fax while the taxpayer is still on the phone. If taxpayers are using a digital or online fax, when the IRS agent asks if they have a private and secure fax, say yes.
Do I Have To Request A 147c Letter To Find My EIN?
Here are some options you have regarding your lost EIN before you have to call the IRS to request a 147c EIN Verification Letter:
- Search for your initial CP 575 Confirmation Letter that was issued when you applied for your EIN.
- Request the EIN information from financial institutions where you utilized your EIN to create an account.
- Contact the facilities of state or local agencies where you used your EIN to apply for licensing.
- Locate previously filed tax returns that you filed using your EIN.
Unfortunately, if you cannot locate your EIN using these methods, your last option to relearn your EIN is to call the IRS and request a 147c Letter.
Have any tax questions or concerns? Contact us at Ideal Tax for tax-related help. We offer free consultation. Also, learn how you can maximize your biggest refund here.
Luis serves as the Director of Operations for Ideal Tax, overseeing a multifaceted team including case management, tax professionals, document specialists, customer support, training, and development.
