What is a 147C letter?
How can you get a new EIN Confirmation Letter?
What are the steps to get a 147C letter?
In this article, we will break down the concept of the 147C letter so you know all there is to know about it.
We will tell you what it is, why it’s important for your business, how to request one, who can request it if it can be done online and so on.
Are you ready?
Let’s get started!
What is a 147C letter?
A 147C letter refers to an EIN Verification Letter which is a document issued by the IRS in replacement of an EIN Confirmation Letter (CP 575).
It’s called “CP” 575 as it is “computer” generated or auto-generated by the IRS.
What’s important to note is that CP575 is issued by the IRS when you first request your company’s tax ID number (EIN number) and it’s issued only once.
If you lose your EIN Confirmation Letter, you can no longer get another official copy again.
Instead, the IRS issues a 147C letter to replace the lost or misplaced EIN Confirmation Letter.
Why is the form 147C important?
As a company, it’s important to have your letter 147C as that’s what you’ll need to be able to conduct and operate your business.
For example, the banks will ask you for an official confirmation of your EIN number to open a bank account for you or to enroll in different programs.
If you do not have a CP 575 EIN Confirmation Letter, then you need a 147C EIN Verification Letter.
How to request an IRS 147C form?
Requesting an IRS 147c letter can only be done by contacting the IRS or by writing to them.
Here is how you can do it.
Phone request
You can contact the IRS by phone at 1-800-829-4933 to request your IRS 147C.
Before you call the IRS, you should gather the following information:
- Get your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Your current business address
- Your EIN number
- Your phone number
- Your full company name
Once you have all your information, here is how you can contact the IRS:
- Call 1-800-829-4933
- Press Option 1 for English
- Press Option 1 for EIN or FEIN related information
- Press Option 3 if you already have an EIN and need the 147C letter
- It may need to wait 15 to 30 minutes before an IRS agent picks up
- Answer the security questions
- Then request an EIN Verification Letter
- Choose if you like to get the IRS 147C letter by fax or mail
Mail request
If you are unable to call the IRS, you can send them a request by mail as an alternative option.
You can write to them as well.
You can visit the IRS website to get the address where you can contact your IRS office.
Who can ask for a Letter 147C?
Company representative
If you have an LLC, INC, C-Corp, S-Corp, partnership or any other type of legal entity, only the company owner or formal representative can request an LTR 147C.
The IRS will not take requests from anyone else unless they are duly authorized to do so through a power of attorney.
And that leads us to the next section.
Power of attorney
Another way you can get your “147C letter” is to ask someone to represent you as a power of attorney or POA.
To appoint someone as your power of attorney, the company representative and the POA must complete the Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative form (Form 2848) and submit it to the IRS.
Receiving the 147C letter
How does the IRS send me the EIN Verification Letter (147C)?
The IRS will only send you your 147C by mail or fax.
As it relates to the fax option, you can either use a conventional fax machine or digital fax.
For security reasons, the IRS does not send the 147C verification letter by email.
So mail and fax are your two options.
How long does it take to get a 147C letter?
If you are dealing with the IRS by mail, you should expect a processing delay of 4 to 6 weeks.
If you are dealing with the IRS by fax, you can actually get the 147C letter immediately.
The IRS agent can fax you the form while you are on the phone with them.
Sample letters
To help you better visualize what we are referring to in this post, here are samples of the CP575 and 147C letters.
CP575 sample letter
147C letter sample
147C letter FAQ’s
How can I get a copy of my EIN confirmation?
When you first ask for your EIN number, the IRS sends you an EIN confirmation or EIN certificate.
This letter is an automatically generated letter sent to you once upon your initial registration and cannot be issued by the IRS even if you contact them.
Although you can no longer get a new official EIN Confirmation Letter (CP575), the IRS can send you an EIN Verification Letter (147C).
How do I get a 147C letter from the IRS?
You can request an IRS LTR 147C by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-4933.
Only the representative of a company can request an LTR 147C or someone appointed as the power of attorney.
Before calling, make sure you gather the following information to expedite the process:
- Get your SSN or ITIN
- Your current business address
- Your EIN number
- Your phone number
- Your full company name
Can I request the IRS 147C letter online?
Many people ask:
- How can I get a copy of my EIN confirmation letter online?
- Can I request my IRS 147C letter online?
Unfortunately, you cannot request your 147C letter online.
However, we have a hack for you to handle the process nearly all online, here is how:
- Get yourself a virtual fax number
- Call the IRS
- Ask for your 147C letter
- When they ask how you want to receive it, tell them by virtual fax
- The IRS agent will put you on hold and fax you the 147C letter
- You’ll digitally receive the fax while you are literally on the phone with the agent
- Download your document!
How do I get a form 147C from IRS?
The IRS can send your 147C LTR by mail or fax.
They do not send you the form 147C by email for security reasons.
What is a CP 575 form?
CP 575 form is a document issued by the IRS to a company who makes a request for an EIN number the first time.
The EIN Confirmation Letter CP 575 is an official confirmation of your company’s EIN registration and it will be useful in your business operations such as opening a bank account.
How did IRS send me the CP 575 form?
When you first apply for an EIN number, you get a CP 575 IRS letter (EIN Confirmation Letter).
If you had requested your EIN number online, the IRS CP 575 form was made available to you to download directly online.
On the other hand, if you had requested your EIN by mail, fax or phone, the IRS would have mailed you your IRS form CP 575.
Can I get a new CP 575 from the IRS?
Not, the EIN Confirmation Letter is issued by the IRS only once.
In other words, if you lose your CP 575 letter, you can no longer get one.
Instead, to replace your EIN Confirmation Letter, the IRS will issue an EIN Verification Letter also called 147C letter.
