CP575 vs 147C Letter: What Each One Means and When You Need to Request One

The CP575 is the original EIN confirmation letter that the IRS mails after you apply for an Employer Identification Number. The 147C is a replacement letter you can request if you lost the CP575 or never received it. Both confirm the same EIN, but the IRS will not reissue a CP575. If proof of the EIN is needed, the only option is Form 147C.

Every week, we hear from founders who can’t find their EIN confirmation letter and don’t know what to do next. Banks ask for it. State agencies ask for it. Some payment processors won’t move forward without it.

The confusion usually comes down to two documents: the CP575 and the 147C. They confirm the same information, but they come from different processes and carry different weights in certain situations. Knowing which one you have and which one you need saves time and avoids unnecessary back-and-forth with the IRS.

What Is the CP575?

The CP575 is the notice the IRS sends after approving an EIN application. It comes by physical mail, typically within four to six weeks of the application date, and is addressed to the entity name and mailing address on file.

The letter shows your legal business name, your EIN, and the entity type the IRS has on record. That last part matters. If the IRS classified your LLC as a sole proprietorship by default instead of a corporation (which happens more often than people expect), the CP575 will reflect that classification.

The IRS issues the CP575 once. They do not send duplicates, nor do they replace them if you lose them. That is a hard rule, not a policy subject to exceptions.

What Is the 147C Letter?

The 147C is the IRS’s official replacement for a lost or never-received CP575. It contains the same essential information: your business name, EIN, and the entity classification assigned by the IRS.

You can only get a 147C by calling the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. The call typically runs 30 to 60 minutes, depending on hold times. The IRS will verify your identity, confirm you are authorized to receive the information for the entity, and then either read the EIN to you over the phone or fax the letter to a fax number you provide.

They will not email it. They will not mail it. Fax is the only delivery option, which creates a practical problem for founders who do not have access to a fax machine. There are online fax services (eFax, Fax. Plus, and similar) that provide a fax number with a digital inbox. That workaround is widely used and perfectly acceptable.

CP575 vs 147C Letter: Key Differences

Both letters carry the same official standing. A bank or government agency that requires an “EIN confirmation letter” will accept either one. If a specific institution tells you they only accept the CP575, ask them to clarify. That is not standard IRS policy, and most compliance teams accept the 147C without issue once they understand what it is.

Why Non-Resident Founders Often Have Neither

If you formed a U.S. LLC or corporation from outside the United States, there is a good chance you applied for your EIN by fax or through a third-party service. The IRS mails the CP575 to the address on the SS-4 form. For many international founders, that address is a registered agent address, a virtual mailbox, or a formation service.

If no one was monitoring that mailbox, or if it expired, the CP575 may never have reached you. Some founders get it weeks after formation. Others discover months later that they never received anything.

This is one of the more common gaps we see in EIN documentation for non-resident founders. The fix is a 147C request, but it requires a phone call to a U.S. number during IRS business hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday). For founders in Asia or Europe, that window falls between midnight and early morning.

Third-party services, including us, can make this call on your behalf as your authorized representative if you have a valid Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) or Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization) on file.

How to Request a 147C Letter

1. Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line: 800-829-4933
2. Select the option for EIN or business tax account information.
3. Tell the representative you need a 147C letter because you lost your CP575
4. Have ready: your EIN, your business name, the entity type, and the mailing address on the account.
5. Provide a fax number when asked. If you don’t have one, set up a free or low-cost fax-to-email service before calling.
6. The IRS will fax the 147C during the call or shortly after

The IRS does not charge for this. There is no fee to request a 147C.

If you are not the sole authorized individual on the account, you may need to verify your authority to access the information. Having your EIN documentation on hand before the call reduces the chance of getting stuck mid-process.

Common Mistakes When Dealing with EIN Confirmation Letters

Use your SS-4 instead. The SS-4 is the application form, not the confirmation letter. Some founders submit a copy of their SS-4 to banks, thinking it serves the same purpose. It does not. Banks want the IRS-issued confirmation, which means the CP575 or the 147C.

Trying to get a duplicate CP575. The IRS does not issue duplicates of the CP575. If someone tells you they can get one reissued, that is not accurate. The 147C is the correct replacement.

Using an EIN letter with a mismatched business name. If your LLC name was updated after the original EIN was issued, your CP575 will show the old name. That can cause issues at the bank. In that case, you may need to update your EIN records with the IRS before requesting the 147C. The new letter will still show the old name.

Waiting on the mail when you need the letter fast. If a bank is waiting on your EIN confirmation to open a business account, asking the IRS to mail anything is not a viable path. The 147C via fax is your only same-day option.

FAQs for CP575 vs 147C Letter

Does the 147C carry the same legal weight as the CP575?

Yes. Both are official IRS documents confirming the same EIN. Banks, state agencies, and federal agencies accept either one.

Can I request a 147C online?

No. As of June 2025, the only way to get a 147C is by calling the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. There is no online or email request process.

What if I am a non-resident and cannot call the IRS?

You can authorize a third party to call on your behalf using IRS Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) or Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization). We regularly handle 147C requests for non-resident clients.

How long does a 147C take?

The IRS can fax it during the same call. Total time depends on hold times, which can range from 15 minutes to well over an hour during busy periods.

What if the IRS says the EIN doesn’t match my business name?

That usually means the name on the account differs from what you entered. You may need to correct the name on file before the 147C is issued. This sometimes requires submitting a written update to the IRS.

Can I use my EIN confirmation letter to open a U.S. bank account as a non-resident?

Yes, the 147C is widely accepted by U.S. banks for opening business accounts. Some banks may ask for additional documents alongside it, but the EIN letter is typically the starting point for U.S. banking for foreign nationals.

If you need help obtaining your EIN or requesting a 147C letter, we can handle the process for you. Apply for an EIN with EasyFiling or contact our compliance team directly if your EIN was previously issued and you need replacement documentation.