147C Letter – IRS EIN Verification

Searching for your misplaced EIN verification letter, also known as the IRS 147c letter? You’re not alone. Many business owners and tax professionals need to request a replacement EIN confirmation document (IRS letter 147c) from an IRS representative. Thankfully, retrieving your 147c letter from the IRS is a straightforward process.

This comprehensive guide will simplify everything you need to rapidly get a replacement 147c letter. We’ll explain what the EIN verification letter contains, why you may need it, who can request it, and detail the fastest options to obtain your personalized 147c letter from the IRS.

So if you’ve lost your original EIN (Employee Identification Number) confirmation notice from the IRS and need another copy, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in and demystify the entire IRS 147c letter request process.

What is a 147c letter?

An IRS 147c letter, also referred to as an EIN verification letter, is an official document sent from the Internal Revenue Service. It displays your business’s assigned nine-digit federal Employer Identification Number (EIN).

This EIN confirmation notice also includes your business entity’s complete registered legal name and address listed in the IRS database.

Essentially, whenever you successfully receive a federal EIN for tax and identification purposes, the IRS automatically mails your business this 147c verification letter. It serves as formal proof and acknowledgment from the IRS that your corporation, LLC, partnership or other business structure secured an official EIN.

Why do you need a 147c letter?

There are several important reasons you may need to acquire an EIN verification letter (147c letter IRS) for your business:

  • Opening a Business Bank Account – Most financial institutions require IRS confirmation of your EIN before opening a business bank or credit account under your company’s name and tax ID number. The 147c letter satisfies this prerequisite.
  • Applying for Business Licenses – Local, state and federal licensing bureaus commonly mandate verified EIN documentation when processing applications for company licenses, permits or registrations.
  • Proof of EIN for Tax Filings – Both the IRS and state taxing agencies can request your 147c letter to validate the legal business name and EIN matching their records when processing company tax documents.
  • Legal Verification of Business Entity – Courts, government institutions and third parties frequently require formal IRS verification when confirming the legitimate existence of an organization’s tax identification.

In other words, despite having an EIN, many agencies and businesses will not formally recognize the legal status of your corporation or LLC without IRS-stamped validation. Whether opening a bank account, registering your company vehicle or simply proving your business life, expect to routinely provide a copy your 147c letter.

Who can request an IRS 147c letter?

Only authorized owners or representatives can retrieve a replacement EIN verification notice from the IRS. 

Typically, this means:

  • A principal owning at least 20% equity share in the business
  • An officer, member or partner listed in the company’s formal registration
  • A designated Power of Attorney (POA) or Third Party Designee officially affiliated with the business

Minority shareholders, unofficial LLC members, employees, contractors or associates generally cannot request EIN confirmation directly from the IRS. However, with proper permissions, these informal affiliations can still obtain the 147c letter through an authorized representative listed above.

Business owners in a meeting with a CPA, signing Power of Attorney (POA) forms to authorize the CPA to request an IRS 147c letter, with laptop and documents visible on the table.

If no principal owner or officer remains active in the company, registered POAs may still qualify to receive a 147c notice on its behalf. Either way, the IRS will only issue replacement EIN letters to verified identities authorized under the business’s official registration, as confirmed by an IRS agent.

How to get a 147c letter IRS (3 fast options)

Now that you understand what the form contains and why you need it, let’s explore the fastest ways to get your hands on an EIN verification letter (IRS form 147c) from the IRS.

The IRS provides three reliable methods to quickly obtain your replacement 147c notice: call them directly, utilize a POA, or request through a professional tax service provider.

Option 1: Call the IRS directly

Calling the IRS Business and Specialty Tax line is the simplest way owners and principal officers can directly request a new 147c letter:

  1. Verify your government ID and personal details are available (SSN, ITIN, EIN, address etc.)
  2. Prepare answers to all potential IRS identity confirmation questions
  3. Call 800-829-4933, then press 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, followed by pressing 3 for all other questions
  4. Clarify the reason for your call is to request an updated 147c EIN verification letter
  5. Provide your fax number or verify mailing address for fastest IRS letter delivery

As long as you pass the standard security checks, the agent can instantly fax your new 147c letter or place a mail request to your registered business address. Just inform them of your preferred method to receive the refreshed EIN confirmation letter.

Expect a faxed 147c letter IRS within minutes or mailed verification within 5-7 business days. Remember, only owners or partners can directly contact the IRS through this process.

Option 2: Utilize an IRS Power of Attorney

If you cannot or prefer not to call the IRS directly, authorizing a Power of Attorney (POA) provides another path to securing your necessary 147c letter. Here are the step-by-step instructions when using an IRS-approved POA representative:

  1. Identify an appropriate POA for your business (tax preparer, lawyer, trusted affiliate etc.)
  2. Fully complete IRS Form 2848 Power of Attorney with your representative
  3. Write “147c letter” next to tax form number on section 3 of your 2848 POA form
  4. Provide your POA with access to all required identity verification details
  5. Contact the IRS together at 1-800-829-4933, select language option, then press 3
  6. Your POA informs the agent they will speak on your behalf with POA form ready
  7. Fax your Form 2848 during the call when requested
  8. Answer all IRS security checks through your representative POA
  9. Request your updated 147c EIN verification letter delivery method
  10. Receive your refreshed letter instantly via fax or in 5-7 days by mail

This approach allows someone to securely obtain your 147c letter on your behalf. Make sure to fully prepare your chosen POA representative in advance.

IRS 147c letter sample

IRS 147C letter confirming an Employer Identification Number (EIN), sent from Cincinnati, OH, providing instructions for taxpayers on using and referencing their EIN for federal business tax returns and correspondence.

Option 3: Retain professional tax services

Finally, specialized tax preparation firms frequently provide 147c letter retrieval services for businesses nationwide. Their IRS connections and specialized staff simplify the entire EIN verification process.

Although paid services can seem inconvenient, this hands-off approach requires no effort from you. Reputable providers like H&S Accounting & Tax Services can swiftly procure your refreshed IRS notice containing up-to-date legal business details.

Professional tax services also help correctly update any changed information with the IRS, guaranteeing your new 147c letter contains current company data. Their expertise ensures you receive a valid 147c suitable for all legal and institutional purposes. In certain cases, tax experts may directly expedite letter requests through dedicated IRS processing channels not available elsewhere. This yields the fastest and most reliable 147c letter turnaround.

While costs vary between providers, paying reliable tax professionals removes all hassle getting your urgently needed EIN verification letter reissued correctly.

IRS 147c letter request turnaround time

Outside of professional services, how long does it take to receive your EIN confirmation letter after placing a 147c letter request?

The good news is the IRS can instantly fax your refreshed letter minutes after approving an owner’s call or POA request. This electronic copy usually satisfies most needs requiring the EIN verification letter (147c). For a physical mailed copy, expect your official 147c envelope from the IRS within 5-7 business days after successful telephone or POA requests.

So if you need fast verification, request fax delivery and receive IRS letter 147c confirming your EIN almost instantly. Otherwise, standard mail provides you an official document for more stringent bureaucratic demands.

EIN confirmation letter 147c made easy

Obtaining a replacement copy of your critical IRS 147c EIN confirmation letter is a quick and easy process. Now that you understand what this notice contains, why you need it, and how to request it, you can confidently prove and validate your registered business identification at any time.

Whether you handle the straightforward phone call directly or use a specialized service for convenience, the IRS makes retrieving your IRS form 147c confirmation simple and fast. With this guide’s help getting a refreshed letter, you can keep your company compliance and financial operations running smoothly.

Business professionals reviewing documents during a consultation, possibly discussing the process to change LLC to S Corp status, emphasizing the importance of expert guidance in business structure transitions.How to Convert LLC to S Corp: Tax Savings Unlocked
Tax preparation scene with 1040 form, calendar, coins, and documents, relevant to various tax processes including those related to IRS Code 766.IRS Code 766 Secrets: Essential Tax Transcript Insight