How to Request an IRS EIN Verification Letter (147C) in 2026

If you need to confirm a business tax ID with the IRS, the document you are usually looking for is an EIN Verification Letter, commonly called Letter 147C. It is used to verify that an EIN was assigned to your business and to confirm the name and EIN on IRS records.

This letter is often requested by banks, payment processors, payroll providers, vendors, state agencies, and other institutions that need official confirmation of your business identity. If your original EIN notice was lost, misplaced, or never saved, the 147C is the IRS-backed replacement confirmation you can request.

What Letter 147C is

Letter 147C is an IRS confirmation letter that verifies an EIN previously assigned to a business entity. It is not a new EIN and it is not a change to your tax status. Instead, it is a record confirmation document.

You may need it when:

• A bank asks for proof of your EIN
• A payment processor wants to match your legal business name and tax ID
• You cannot locate the original EIN notice
• An IRS record needs to be confirmed for a lender, marketplace, or government form
• A third party needs to verify your company details before opening or maintaining an account

When to request a 147C

Request a 147C if you already have an EIN but need written confirmation from the IRS. It is especially useful when:

• You lost the original EIN notice
• Your business records are incomplete
• A vendor or bank will not accept an internal document or screenshot
• You need the IRS to confirm the exact name and EIN on file

If you do not yet have an EIN, you should apply for one first. If you are forming a new company, that usually means forming the entity with your state before requesting the EIN.

How to request Letter 147C

The IRS says there are two ways to confirm an EIN: request an entity transcript or call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line and request Letter 147C.

Step 1: Gather your business information

Before you call, make sure you have the details the IRS may ask for:

• Legal name of the business
• Business EIN, if you know it
• Business address
• Responsible party information
• Your role in the company
• Formation details or entity records, if available

Keep your LLC, corporation, or formation documents nearby in case the IRS representative asks security questions.

Step 2: Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line

Call 800-829-4933 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.

When you reach the automated menu, follow the prompts for EIN or business tax assistance. If you already know your EIN but need written confirmation, tell the IRS representative that you need Letter 147C, EIN Previously Assigned.

Step 3: Verify your identity and business authority

The IRS will ask questions to confirm that you are authorized to receive the information. Be ready to verify your identity and your connection to the business.

If you are calling on behalf of the business, make sure you are authorized to receive the information. The IRS may not provide the same information to every third party without the proper authority.

Step 4: Ask how the letter will be delivered

After verification, ask the representative how the 147C will be sent. Depending on the situation, the IRS may mail or fax the letter.

If you need the letter quickly, ask about the fastest available delivery method during the call.

What to do if you do not know your EIN

If you have misplaced your EIN, start by checking:

• The original IRS notice
• Your business bank records
• Past business tax returns
• State or local licensing records
• Internal formation documents

If you still cannot find it, call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. The IRS can verify your identity and provide the EIN over the phone if you are authorized to receive it.

Letter 147C vs. the original EIN notice

Many business owners confuse Letter 147C with the original EIN assignment notice. They are not the same thing.

• The original EIN notice confirms the number when it was first issued
• Letter 147C confirms that the EIN was previously assigned and is currently on IRS records

If your original notice is missing, the 147C is the document most institutions will accept as a replacement confirmation.

Common reasons businesses need 147C

Opening a business bank account

Banks often require official EIN confirmation before opening or updating a business account. A 147C can help satisfy that requirement.

Setting up payroll

Payroll providers frequently need to match the legal business name with the EIN before processing employee payroll tax filings.

Adding a merchant account or payment processor

Some processors request tax ID verification before activating an account or increasing account limits.

Updating business records

If your business has changed banks, moved offices, or reorganized internal records, a 147C helps keep your tax documentation consistent.

How Zenind fits into the process

Zenind helps entrepreneurs form U.S. businesses efficiently and keep formation records organized. That matters because the EIN and 147C process is much smoother when your entity name, responsible party details, and formation documents are easy to find.

If you are launching a new LLC or corporation, keep these records together from day one:

• Formation approval documents
• Operating agreement or bylaws
• EIN confirmation notice
• IRS correspondence such as Letter 147C

Good recordkeeping saves time later when a bank, lender, processor, or vendor asks for proof of your business identity.

Best practices for keeping EIN records

To avoid delays the next time someone asks for business tax ID proof, keep a secure copy of:

• The EIN confirmation notice
• Letter 147C, if issued
• Formation documents
• IRS notices and correspondence
• Ownership and responsible party records

Store these documents in a shared but secure location so that the right team members can access them when needed.

Frequently asked questions

Is Letter 147C the same as a new EIN?

No. Letter 147C only confirms that an EIN was previously assigned. It does not create a new number.

Can I get a duplicate copy of the original EIN notice?

If the original notice is unavailable, the IRS uses Letter 147C to confirm the EIN rather than duplicating the original notice.

Can someone else request it for me?

Only someone with the proper authority to receive business tax information should make the request. The IRS may require verification before releasing the letter.

Is there a fee for Letter 147C?

The IRS does not charge a fee for EIN confirmation. You request it directly from the IRS.

Final thoughts

If your business needs proof of its EIN, Letter 147C is the IRS document to request. The process is straightforward when you have your business details ready and call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 during business hours.

For founders forming a new U.S. company, the best way to avoid last-minute document hunts is to keep formation records, EIN confirmation, and IRS correspondence organized from the start. That makes banking, payroll, and tax setup faster and cleaner.