Lost EIN Letter? Get a 147C Replacement in 24 Hours (2026)

Your EIN Confirmation Letter is one document the IRS will not photocopy for you. The original CP 575 arrives once, by mail or as a one-time PDF download, and the agency does not reissue it. The good news: the IRS will issue an unlimited number of replacement Letter 147C notices that carry the exact same legal weight, and you can usually get one faxed to you the same day you call. This guide walks through both documents end-to-end, with the phone script my office uses with the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line every week, the reference-number errors that block most applications, and the non-resident path that the standard guides skip.

CP 575: What the IRS EIN Confirmation Letter Is#

The CP 575 is the IRS notice that confirms a newly assigned Employer Identification Number. It is issued one time, when the EIN is first created, and contains three things: the legal name of your business as filed on Form SS-4, the nine-digit EIN assigned to that entity, and the notice number "CP 575" stamped at the top of the page.

The notice is the IRS's first and only automatic confirmation of your EIN. Banks treat it as your business's birth certificate. Payroll providers want a copy on file. Stripe, PayPal, Mercury, Amazon Seller Central, and most state licensing agencies will request it during onboarding.

Two definitions to keep straight:#

• EIN (Employer Identification Number): a nine-digit federal tax ID formatted XX-XXXXXXX, issued by the IRS to a business entity. The IRS EIN hub page explains the assignment process in full.
• CP 575 Notice: the paper letter (or PDF) the IRS issues one time only to confirm that EIN. There is no online portal to reprint it. There is no "EIN dashboard" on irs.gov. The CP 575 you received at assignment is the original, and the only original.

If you applied online, the CP 575 was offered as a downloadable PDF in the same browser session you completed the SS-4 in. If you closed that window without saving the file, the IRS does not have a way to send it again, you will need a 147C instead. If you applied by fax or mail using Form SS-4, the CP 575 arrived as a paper letter (fax response or postal mail). Same rule: lose the paper, you cannot get a duplicate.

Why the CP 575 Matters for Banking, Loans, and Hiring#

The CP 575 (or its 147C replacement) is the document that unlocks every downstream financial workflow tied to your EIN. Without it, most institutions will not move you past KYC.

Concretely, you will be asked to produce it when you:

• Open a US business checking, savings, or merchant account. Major banks (Chase, Bank of America, Mercury, Relay, Brex, Wells Fargo) require it before issuing account numbers.
• Apply for a business loan or SBA financing. The lender's underwriting file requires either the CP 575 or a 147C verifying the EIN.
• Hire your first W-2 employee or contractor. Payroll providers like Gusto, ADP, OnPay, and QuickBooks Payroll require it to set up payroll tax filings.
• File any federal tax return, Form 1120, 1120-S, 1065, 941, 940, 944, or 1099, that references the EIN as the taxpayer.
• Apply for a state seller's permit, sales tax registration, professional license, or local business license.
• Set up Stripe Atlas, Mercury, Wise Business, PayPal Business, Amazon Seller Central, Shopify Payments, or any platform that requires US business identity verification.

Banks and platforms accept either the original CP 575 or the 147C verification letter, they are legally equivalent. So if you cannot find your CP 575, do not waste hours searching. Request a 147C and move on.

Three Ways to Get Your Original EIN Confirmation Letter#

If you have not yet applied for an EIN, the IRS offers three application paths. Each one delivers the CP 575 differently, and only the online path delivers it immediately.

International applicants (anyone whose principal business is outside the US, or anyone without an SSN/ITIN) cannot use the online assistant and must apply by fax or mail. The non-resident path is covered in its own section below.

Lost Your EIN Letter? Here's What to Do#

Before you call the IRS, check whether you can recover the EIN itself from documents already in your possession. The EIN never changes for the life of the business, so if you ever filed a tax return, applied for a loan, or registered with a state, the number is sitting in a record somewhere.

Step 1, Search your existing documents in this order, fastest first:

1. Your accountant or bookkeeper's records (one email solves it).
2. Previously filed federal tax returns, the EIN appears on the top of every 1120, 1120-S, 1065, 941, 940, or Schedule C.
3. Old business bank statements or your bank's onboarding paperwork.
4. State business registration filings, sales tax permits, or professional licenses.
5. Past loan or credit applications (SBA, business credit cards, line-of-credit applications).
6. Payroll reports from Gusto, ADP, OnPay, or QuickBooks Payroll.
7. 1099-K statements from Stripe, PayPal, Square, Amazon, or Shopify.

If you find the EIN itself, you are halfway done, you just need the proof-of-existence letter. Skip to the 147C section.

Step 2, Mind the 30-day rule. This is the one most guides skip. If your EIN was issued online within the last 30 days, the IRS's systems may not yet show it as available for 147C verification. Wait 30 days from the date of online assignment before calling, or you risk being told the EIN "is not yet on file."

Step 3, Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line. The number is 1-800-829-4933, open Monday through Friday, 7am to 7pm local time. The 147C section below has the full phone script and the verification questions the agent will ask. International callers use 267-941-1099.

Step 4, Update your address first if it has changed. The IRS will only release the 147C to the address (or fax number, if you request fax delivery) currently on file for the EIN. If your business address has changed since the EIN was assigned, you must file Form 8822-B first, then call back about the 147C. A new responsible party requires the same form.

Requesting Letter 147C, The Same-Day Fax Method#

Letter 147C, formally "EIN Previously Assigned," is the IRS's official EIN verification letter. It is free, can be requested an unlimited number of times, and is legally equivalent to the original CP 575 for every business and banking purpose. Banks, lenders, payroll processors, and state agencies are required to accept it.

There are only two delivery methods: phone (followed by same-day fax) and mail. The phone-to-fax path is by far the fastest.

Before You Call the IRS, Pre-Call Checklist#

Have these ready before you dial. The agent will hang up if they cannot verify you within a few minutes:

• The exact legal business name as filed on Form SS-4.
• The complete business address currently on file with the IRS.
• Your title (sole owner, managing member, partner, corporate officer, trustee, executor).
• Your personal SSN or ITIN (the IRS verifies the requestor's identity against the EIN's responsible-party record).
• A working fax number, or a virtual fax service active in your browser (eFax, HelloFax, FaxZero, Phone.com) so you can receive the letter while still on the call.
• A pen and paper to write down the agent's name and badge number.

The IRS Phone Script#

The IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line is 1-800-829-4933 (domestic) or 267-941-1099 (international). Both lines are open Monday–Friday, 7am–7pm local time (US-Eastern for the international line). Full hours are confirmed on the IRS Telephone Assistance Contacts page.

The IVR menu changes occasionally, but as of May 2026 the path is:

1. Press 1 for English (or 2 for Spanish).
2. Press 1 for Employer Identification Number questions.
3. Press 3 for "I already have an EIN but need help with it."

You will be placed on hold, expect 15 to 45 minutes during peak season (January–April), 5 to 20 minutes the rest of the year. When the agent picks up, say:

The agent will then ask the verification questions in the pre-call checklist. Once they confirm your identity and authority over the EIN, ask:

The agent will typically send the fax within five minutes of confirming the request. Stay on the line until you can confirm receipt, once the call ends, you cannot ask them to resend. If the fax fails or the page comes through illegible, you have to call back and start over.

Mail Delivery (When Same-Day Fax Is Not an Option)#

If you do not have access to a fax service, the IRS will mail the 147C to the address on file. Plan for four to six weeks of postal delivery, longer for international addresses. There is no expedited mail option.

CP 575 vs Letter 147C, Side-by-Side Comparison#

The two documents look different but serve identical purposes. Use this table when a bank, lender, or platform asks which one you have:

If a bank, payment processor, or lender ever tells you they cannot accept the 147C and need the original CP 575, push back politely. The IRS does not reissue CP 575, period, and federal banking guidance recognizes the 147C as the official verification document. Ask to speak to a supervisor or refer to IRS Publication 1635, "Understanding Your EIN," which describes both documents on page 3.

Decoding IRS EIN Reference Numbers 101–115#

If you applied for an EIN online and got bounced with a reference number, the IRS's error messages are deliberately vague. Here is what each number actually means and how to fix it. This is the section of the IRS EIN process that frustrates the most non-US founders, and the one that causes the most repeat applications.

When in doubt, stop applying online and switch to faxing Form SS-4, the paper path is slower (4–7 business days) but has none of the algorithmic friction. The state-by-state fax numbers are listed on the Where to File Form SS-4 page.

Getting an EIN Without an SSN, The Non-Resident Path#

The IRS online EIN assistant is restricted to applicants who already have a US Social Security Number or ITIN. Non-resident founders, people forming a US LLC or corporation from outside the US without ever having lived or worked in the US, cannot use it. There are two paths instead.

Path 1, Fax Form SS-4 with a passport copy. Complete Form SS-4 in full, leaving line 7b ("SSN, ITIN, or EIN") blank and writing "Foreign" instead. Attach a clear copy of the responsible party's passport biographic page. Fax the package to (855) 215-1627 (for applicants with no US legal residence, per current IRS routing). Expect a return fax with the assigned EIN and CP 575 within four to seven business days.

Path 2, Call the international EIN line. Phone 267-941-1099 Monday–Friday, 7am–7pm US Eastern Time. The agent walks through Form SS-4 with you line-by-line and assigns the EIN over the phone. You will receive the CP 575 by mail (4–6 weeks), there is no same-call CP 575 issuance. This path is slower than the fax path for the original CP 575, but it is the fastest way to get the EIN number itself (within the call).

The ITIN-EIN distinction matters here. The EIN is for your business entity. If you also need a personal US tax ID, to open a personal US bank account, to file a personal 1040-NR, to be claimed as a spouse or dependent on a US return, or to satisfy KYC at a US brokerage or payment platform, that is a separate process called an ITIN.

We help non-resident founders apply for an ITIN through IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agents, your original passport never leaves your possession, and the entire process is completed online with our team. If you need both an EIN for your business and an ITIN for personal banking, start your ITIN application here and we will coordinate both filings.

For the broader context on what an ITIN is and how it differs from an SSN, see What is an ITIN number?.

Frequently Asked Questions About EIN Letters#

Can I download a copy of my EIN letter online?#

No. The IRS does not have a portal that lets EIN holders download their CP 575 after the original session. The original is a one-time PDF offered during the online EIN assistant flow only. If you missed it, request a Letter 147C, that is the IRS's official replacement document, and it can be issued unlimited times.

How long does it take to get a 147C letter from the IRS?#

By fax, the 147C usually arrives within five minutes of your phone call with the agent. By mail, expect four to six weeks. There is no email delivery option, and there is no expedited mail option. For anyone with a deadline (a bank closing, a payroll setup, a state license filing), the same-day fax path is the only realistic option.

Is the CP 575 the same as a 147C letter?#

They are not the same document, but they are legally equivalent for every business and banking purpose. The CP 575 is the original confirmation, issued once when the EIN is first assigned. The 147C is the verification letter, issued on request as many times as needed. Banks, lenders, payroll providers, Stripe, PayPal, and state licensing agencies are all required to accept the 147C in place of the CP 575.

Is an EIN the same as a Tax ID Number?#

An EIN is one type of Tax Identification Number (TIN). The other types are SSN (Social Security Number, for US persons), ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, for non-US persons), and ATIN (for pending adoptions). An EIN is to a business what an SSN is to a person. If a form asks for a "TIN," a business should provide its EIN; an individual should provide an SSN or ITIN.

Does my EIN ever expire?#

No. The EIN is assigned to the business entity for its entire lifetime and never expires, requires renewal, or needs to be revalidated. The IRS will only cancel the EIN if the entity is formally closed and you submit a written request to close the EIN file. If you stop using the business but never close the EIN, the number remains assigned to that legal entity forever.

What if my bank rejects the 147C and insists on a CP 575?#

The bank is wrong, but they hold the leverage. Politely escalate to a supervisor and refer to IRS Publication 1635 page 3, which describes both documents. If they still refuse, your options are: (1) ask the bank's compliance team to put the rejection in writing so you can escalate inside the bank, (2) move to a different bank, most national banks (Chase, Bank of America, Mercury, Relay, Wise Business) accept the 147C without friction, or (3) check whether you can locate an old tax return or 1099-K showing the EIN, which some banks will accept as supplementary proof alongside the 147C.

Can my accountant or attorney request a 147C on my behalf?#

Yes, with a Form 2848 (Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative) on file with the IRS authorizing them to act on the EIN matter. Without a 2848, the IRS will only release the 147C to the responsible party listed on the original SS-4. CPAs, enrolled agents, and attorneys can be designated; bookkeepers and unenrolled tax preparers cannot.

How long must I wait after applying online before requesting a 147C?#

The IRS recommends a 30-day window after online EIN assignment before requesting a 147C, to allow the new EIN to fully propagate through IRS systems. If you call too soon, the agent may tell you the EIN "is not on file", that does not mean the EIN was rejected, only that the verification system has not yet been updated.

What if my CP 575 has a typo in my business name?#

The IRS does not correct typos through the 147C process, that requires written correspondence. Send a signed letter to the IRS service center that processed your SS-4 (state-by-state addresses on the Where to File Form SS-4 page) explaining the correction needed and including a copy of your state-filed formation document showing the correct name. The IRS will issue a corrected CP 575-A notice.

Can someone outside the US get an EIN?#

Yes. Non-US persons forming a US LLC, corporation, or partnership can obtain an EIN by faxing Form SS-4 to (855) 215-1627 or by calling the international EIN line at 267-941-1099. You do not need an SSN or ITIN for the business entity to have an EIN. If you also need a personal US tax ID for banking or to file a personal tax return, that is a separate process, see our ITIN application guide or start your ITIN application.

Is there a fee for a 147C letter?#

No. The IRS does not charge any fee for issuing an EIN, the original CP 575, or any number of 147C verification letters. If a third-party service charges you a fee to "retrieve" your EIN letter, they are simply calling the IRS on your behalf, you can do the same thing yourself for free.

Can I get the 147C by email?#

No. The IRS does not transmit 147C letters by email, security and identity-verification rules limit delivery to fax or postal mail. Some tax preparers and CAAs receive 147Cs by fax and then forward them as PDF to clients by email, but the IRS itself only uses fax and mail.

Need Help with the 147C Request?#

We help business owners and non-resident founders handle IRS calls, fax requests, and the full ITIN-EIN coordination workflow. If you would rather not navigate the IRS phone tree yourself, or if you need both an EIN for your business and an ITIN for personal US banking, we are here to help. Reach out anytime.