Lost Your EIN Letter (CP 575)? How To Get A Copy
- 1
The IRS does not issue duplicate CP 575 notices. - 2
Check your Business Tax Account for a digital CP 575. - 3
Request Letter 147C to confirm your existing EIN. - 4
An entity transcript may work if the requesting organization accepts it. - 5
Losing your CP 575 does not mean you need a new EIN.
Most people never think about their EIN confirmation letter until someone asks for it. A bank wants it before opening a business account, or an organization needs to verify your business information, and the CP 575 you were mailed is nowhere in your files.
The IRS can’t send you a duplicate of that notice. You can still confirm your existing EIN without applying for a new one. There are three official ways to confirm the number you already have: a digital CP 575 from your Business Tax Account, Letter 147C, or an entity transcript. Below, you’ll find how each one works and which one is worth trying first.
What Is The CP 575 Letter, Exactly?
An EIN is the nine-digit number the IRS gives to a business or other eligible entity for federal tax purposes. Think of it as a Social Security number for your company.
When the IRS assigns one, it sends a notice called CP 575, Notice of New Employer Identification Number. That notice shows the number and the business it belongs to. Banks may ask for proof of your EIN when you open a business account. The documents they accept depend on the bank’s requirements.
Can You Get A Copy Of A Lost CP 575?
No! The IRS can’t duplicate or recreate the original CP 575A-J notice. What it can do is provide you other documents that confirm the same EIN:
-
- Digital CP 575 notice: available through the Business Tax Account for eligible users.
- Letter 147C: a letter from the IRS confirming an EIN already assigned to your business.
- Entity transcript: an IRS record that lists your EIN along with other business details.
The digital CP 575 notice can stand in for the original CP 575A-J series and for Letter 147C as written proof of your EIN.
How To Get EIN Confirmation Without Your Original Letter
Here are the steps you follow:
1. Download The Digital CP 575 Notice Online
If you’re eligible and the digital CP 575 notice is available in your Business Tax Account, you may be able to download it without calling the IRS.
-
- Go to the official IRS Business Tax Account page.
- Sign in, or check the registration requirements if you haven’t set up an account.
- Open the Tax Records section.
- Look for your digital CP 575 notice.
- Download it and save a copy with your business records.
Keep in mind that access depends on your business type and your role in it. If the notice isn’t showing up in your account, move on to one of the other methods below.
2. Ask The IRS For Letter 147C
Letter 147C, titled EIN Previously Assigned, confirms a number the IRS has already given your business. If you’ve lost your CP 575, this is the letter most people request.
IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line: 800-829-4933
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.
Here’s how it goes:
-
- Call the Business and Specialty Tax Line.
- Tell the representative you lost your CP 575 and need your EIN verified.
- Answer the questions they ask about your business.
- Ask the representative which delivery options are available after your identity and authorization have been verified.
The IRS has to be certain you’re allowed to receive the business’s tax information, so expect some verification. Settle the delivery details on the call itself, before you hang up.
Note: Letter 147C only confirms the EIN you already have. It doesn’t create a new one.
3. Request An Entity Transcript
The third option is an entity transcript. It holds identifying information recorded in the IRS business tax system, including your EIN.
Eligible business owners may be able to access an entity transcript through the Business Tax Account or request assistance from the IRS. Before requesting one, confirm that the organization asking for EIN proof will accept it.
A transcript isn’t a copy of your CP 575, though, and some banks and agencies won’t take it as a substitute.
What To Have Ready Before You Contact The IRS
A few minutes of prep makes the call much smoother. The IRS needs to identify your business and confirm that you’re authorized to ask about it. You may be asked for:
-
- Your legal business name, exactly as the IRS has it
- The business mailing address on file with the IRS
- Your EIN, if you remember it
- Your role in the business, such as owner or officer
- Authorization documents, if you’re calling on behalf of someone else’s entity
Expect a few extra questions along the way. And if you’re a third-party representative, such as an accountant or bookkeeper, you’ll likely need valid authorization before the IRS shares anything confidential.
What If You’ve Lost The Letter And The EIN?
Before you pick up the phone, do some research through your records. Your EIN is probably written down somewhere: on federal tax returns you’ve filed, on older IRS correspondence, in paperwork from your business bank, or in payroll records. If an accountant or tax professional handles your filings, ask whether they have your EIN in their records.
Still no luck? Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line. After verifying your identity and your authority to act for the business, they can help you confirm the EIN you were originally assigned.
And don’t apply for a new EIN just because the letter went missing. You only need a new one in certain situations under IRS rules, such as some changes in ownership or business structure. Read through the official IRS Employer Identification Number page before applying for another number.
Official Resources:
IRS: Understanding Your CP 575 Notice
IRS: Employer Identification Number (EIN)
IRS: Get a Business Tax Transcript
IRS: Telephone Assistance Contacts for Business Customers
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my EIN confirmation letter online?
If you qualify for a Business Tax Account and the digital CP 575 is available, log in and open Tax Records. If you don’t qualify, call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 and ask for Letter 147C.
Can I use Letter 147C to open a business bank account?
It’s written proof of your EIN, and banks commonly accept it, but each bank sets its own rules. Call or check their website before you go.
Do I have to pay to recover my EIN confirmation?
No. The IRS doesn’t charge a fee for Letter 147C or the digital CP 575. Check the steps on irs.gov first, and think twice before paying a third-party site for something you can do yourself.
How long does Letter 147C take?
It depends on the IRS workload and the delivery method you choose. Ask the representative for an estimate when you call.
Is Letter 147C the same as the CP 575?
No. The CP 575 is the original notice you got when your EIN was assigned, and the IRS can’t issue a copy of it. Letter 147C just confirms an EIN that already exists. The digital CP 575 can be used in place of either.
Will a bank accept an entity transcript instead of my CP 575?
It depends on the bank. A transcript isn’t a copy of the CP 575, so ask the bank before you request one.
Do I need a new EIN if I lost my letter?
No, a lost letter doesn’t mean a new EIN. You’d only need one in specific cases under IRS rules, like certain changes in ownership or business structure.
Conclusion
If you’ve lost your CP 575, don’t worry. The IRS still has your EIN on record. You just need a document that proves it.
When you get the replacement, save it in a few places. A PDF in your cloud storage works, and so does a printed copy in your business folder. Your accountant should have one too. Banks and lenders ask for such documents sooner or later, and finding the file takes a minute, while going through the IRS again takes much longer.
You can request EIN confirmation directly from the IRS without paying an IRS fee. Check the official IRS website before paying a third-party service.
Lost Your EIN Letter (CP 575)? How to Get Confirmation
Learn how to recover EIN confirmation through the IRS Business Tax Account, Letter 147C, or an entity transcript.
