Understanding the 147C Letter: What It Means and How It Works
The 147C letter is an official document issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) upon request, used to confirm a business’s Employer Identification Number (EIN). Typically, business owners request this letter when they have lost or can’t locate their EIN.
Does a 147C Letter Replace an EIN?
Although it helps confirm your EIN, the 147C letter does not serve as a replacement for the original number issued by the IRS. Instead, it simply verifies the information already associated with your EIN. It’s a good idea to keep this letter for future reference, but it doesn’t change or substitute the original number assigned to your business.
What Is the Purpose of a 147C Letter?
Often referred to as an EIN confirmation letter, the 147C is used to validate key details such as the business name, EIN, and mailing address. Since the IRS does not reissue the original EIN document if it’s lost, the 147C serves as proof of your business identity. Financial institutions, suppliers, or anyone needing to verify your EIN might request this letter for authentication purposes.
How to Request a 147C Letter
If you’re unable to locate your EIN and need proof of it, you can obtain a 147C letter by contacting the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933. For security reasons, the request must be made by phone — online or email requests are not accepted.
The line is available Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time (Pacific Time for Alaska and Hawaii residents).
When calling, you’ll likely need to press 1 for EIN assistance and be ready to answer identity verification questions. The IRS agent may ask for the business name and address listed on past filings such as your Form 941, W-2s, or 1099s.
Only individuals authorized to receive EIN details will be assisted. This includes business owners, corporate officers, partners, trustees, or executors, depending on the business entity type.
After verification, the IRS can either:
- Send the 147C letter by mail
- Provide it via fax
Are There Other Ways to Find Your EIN?
Yes — before reaching out to the IRS, you might try a few other routes:
- Contact your bank or lender where you’ve used your EIN for an account setup — they might be able to provide it.
- Check your original IRS confirmation letter, which includes your EIN from the time you applied.
- Look through old tax records, financial documents, or even your credit report — your EIN might be listed there.
For companies that manage payroll or tax filings using services like Beyond, your EIN is typically stored within your business profile. If you’ve used Beyond before, logging in and checking your company setup can also help retrieve your EIN quickly.