Get Your IRS Letter 147C by Fax
Lost your CP 575? Call the IRS and ask for Letter 147C by fax. The agent faxes it to the number you give. By mail it takes 10 to 14 business days.
What Is Letter 147C?
Letter 147C is the IRS's official verification of your Employer Identification Number (EIN). It confirms your EIN, legal business name, and address as recorded by the IRS. Banks, lenders, and payroll providers accept it as proof of EIN. It is the standard replacement for a lost or missing CP 575, the original EIN assignment notice that the IRS issues once and never reissues.
How to Get 147C by Fax (Step by Step)
- Get a fax number ready before you dial (FaxTerra: $4.99/month, set up in about a minute)
- Call the IRS at (800) 829-4933: press 1 for English, 1 for EIN, 3 for existing EIN
- Verify your identity: the agent asks for your business name, EIN, address on file, and responsible party's SSN or ITIN
- Ask for fax delivery and provide your fax number
- Stay on the line: the agent sends the letter and confirms receipt
The entire call takes 5-10 minutes once you reach an agent (hold times vary).
We have seen 87 accounts get a fax from an IRS line without having faxed an SS-4 through us, and 64% of them got it within a day of setting up their number. That is consistent with an agent faxing during the call; it is our reading of the pattern, not an IRS figure.
Who Can Request a 147C?
Only the responsible party listed on the original EIN application can request a 147C. This is the principal officer (corporations), general partner (partnerships), grantor or owner (trusts), or executor (estates). A third party can request it only with Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) or Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization) on file with the IRS.
The 30-Day Rule
The IRS won't mail a 147C within 30 days of assigning your EIN, but an agent can fax one during the call. If you applied online and a CP 575 is already on its way by mail, the agent may ask you to wait for it until 30 days after it was generated. If you chose to view the notice online and couldn't save it, no CP 575 is coming. The IRS can fax a 147C right away. Saving the online notice as a PDF during the session avoids the wait.
Why Fax Instead of Mail?
The IRS delivers Letter 147C two ways: by fax during the call, or by mail to the address on file in 10 to 14 business days. If your bank is waiting for EIN verification, fax skips the wait for mail.
If you originally received a CP 575 EIN confirmation but lost it, the 147C is its functional replacement: banks accept it interchangeably. For other documents the IRS can fax back (SS-4 fax-back, 385C), see How to Receive a Fax from the IRS. For the broader IRS fax landscape, see How to Fax the IRS. If you need a new EIN rather than proof of one, getting your EIN by fax covers both routes.
See how to send a fax with FaxTerra
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IRS phone number to request a 147C letter?
Call (800) 829-4933 (IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line) Monday through Friday, 7am to 7pm local time. Press 1, then 1, then 3 to reach an agent who handles EIN verification.
How long does it take to receive the 147C by fax?
The IRS agent faxes the letter to you while you're on the phone, so have your fax number ready before you call. By mail it takes 10 to 14 business days.
Can my bank see my 147C letter if it's faxed to an online service?
Yes. When the IRS faxes your 147C to your FaxTerra number, you're notified by email (and by push with the mobile app). View or download it as a PDF from your inbox. You can print it, forward it, or show it to your bank directly from your phone or computer.
What if the IRS says my information doesn't match?
The agent verifies your business name (exact match including "Inc." or "LLC"), EIN, address on file, and responsible party SSN. If anything doesn't match their records, they cannot release the letter. Common fix: file Form 8822-B to update your address first (takes 4-6 weeks), then call back.
Is Letter 147C the same as CP 575?
They contain the same information (EIN, business name, address) and are interchangeable for banking purposes. The difference: CP 575 is the original notice issued once when your EIN is assigned. Letter 147C is the replacement you can request anytime afterward.
Do I need a fax number before I call?
Yes. Have your fax number ready before calling: IRS hold times vary and you don't want to hang up mid-call to set one up. FaxTerra takes about a minute to set up.
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