Key takeaways
- An EIN verification letter is IRS Letter 147C — it replaces the one-time CP-575, which the IRS never reissues.
- Request it by calling the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 and asking specifically for a "147C."
- Only an authorized party (owner, officer, partner, LLC member/manager, or POA) can request it.
- Fax delivery can happen on the same call; mail typically takes about two weeks (for example).
- The 147C proves your EIN and legal name match IRS records — it's a verification document, not an approval driver.
- For revenue-based funding, underwriting relies on bank deposits and revenue, so the EIN letter rarely blocks a decision.
- The CP-575 and 147C are interchangeable as EIN proof; use whichever you have.
What an EIN verification letter actually is
When the IRS assigns an EIN, it sends a one-time CP-575 confirmation notice. That original is never reissued. If you lose it, the IRS instead provides Letter 147C ("EIN Verification") — a separately generated letter that states your business's legal name, EIN, and entity details as they appear in IRS records. Functionally the two are interchangeable for almost every third party that asks you to "send your EIN letter."
Underwriters, banks opening a business account, and payment processors ask for it for one reason: to confirm the exact legal name tied to the EIN. Fraud controls and Know-Your-Business rules require that the name on your application match the name the IRS has on file, character for character. A 147C is the cleanest way to settle any mismatch — for example, when your DBA differs from your registered legal entity name.
How to request Letter 147C (step by step)
There is no online download and no form to mail for a 147C. It is requested by phone:
- Call 800-829-4933 (IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line), Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. local time. Call early; wait times spike midday and on Mondays.
- Ask specifically for a "147C EIN verification letter." Use that number — it routes the agent to the right process immediately.
- Verify your identity. You must be an authorized party: sole proprietor, a corporate officer, a partner, an LLC member/manager, or a third party covered by a Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) or 8821 (authorization) already on file.
- Choose delivery. The IRS will fax it to you while you're on the line (fastest — often same call) or mail it (typically arrives in about two weeks). Fax is strongly preferred if you need it for an active application; a virtual fax number works.
The IRS will not email the letter, and they will not release it to someone who isn't on the account. If a bookkeeper or accountant is calling on your behalf, have the authorization in place first.
CP-575 vs. 147C: which document do you have?
Owners frequently confuse the two, and lenders don't care which one you send — either proves the EIN. The difference is only when and how you get each.
| Feature | CP-575 | Letter 147C |
|---|---|---|
| When issued | Once, when EIN is first assigned | Any time, on request |
| Can it be reissued? | No | Yes, unlimited |
| How to get it | Automatic at EIN setup | Call 800-829-4933 |
| Delivery | Mail (at assignment) | Fax (same call) or mail |
| Accepted as EIN proof? | Yes | Yes |
Bottom line: if you have the CP-575, use it. If you don't, don't waste time — go straight to the 147C.
When you actually need one for funding
Most small-business financing decisions do not hinge on the EIN letter itself. Revenue-based and MCA-style funders underwrite primarily on your business bank deposits and cash flow, not on paperwork completeness. Where the 147C matters is at the verification and closing stage, when the funder confirms the entity is real and the legal name matches before releasing funds.
You're most likely to be asked for it when:
- Your legal name and DBA differ, and the underwriter needs to reconcile them.
- You're opening or verifying the business bank account funds will be deposited into.
- A payment processor (for split or ACH repayment) needs to validate the merchant entity.
- Your business is newer and there's limited third-party data to confirm the entity.
The letter is a verification document, not an approval driver. It confirms who you are — it does not determine how much you qualify for. For the bigger picture on documents that move a decision, see our business loan requirements guide.
Decision framework: request now, or keep applying?
Because a 147C can take a same-call fax or up to two weeks by mail, timing matters. Here's how underwriters actually think about it.
Request the 147C now when:
- You've already lost the CP-575 and are opening a new business bank account.
- Your legal name vs. DBA is likely to trigger a mismatch flag.
- You know a funder or processor will require EIN proof at closing and you want it in hand.
- You have fax access, so the letter arrives on the same call — near-zero delay.
Don't let it stall you when:
- You're at the early stage and haven't been asked for it yet — apply on your bank statements first.
- You still have the CP-575 or a prior 147C — those are already valid proof.
- You need cash fast: a strong-cash-flow application can move to a decision in 24–48 hours, and the EIN letter is usually a verification step, not a gate to submitting.
The practical play for most owners: submit on your revenue and bank statements immediately, and request the 147C by fax in parallel so it's ready when verification comes up.
Example timelines (for illustration)
These are for example only — actual IRS wait times and lender steps vary. They show how the EIN letter fits around a funding timeline rather than blocking it.
| Scenario | 147C delivery | Effect on funding timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Have CP-575 on hand | Not needed | No delay; proceed to verification |
| Request 147C by fax | Same call (example) | Verification proceeds same day |
| Request 147C by mail | ~2 weeks (example) | Apply on bank statements now; letter arrives before closing |
| Name/DBA mismatch flagged | Fax while on call | Resolves the flag without restarting the file |
Note there is no dollar math here — the EIN letter never affects pricing or payback. It's an identity document.
Common mistakes that slow the process down
- Hunting for a reissued CP-575. It doesn't exist. Every hour spent looking is an hour you could have spent on a 147C call.
- The wrong person calls. The IRS only releases the letter to an authorized party. Have your officer/member/POA status ready.
- Choosing mail when you need speed. If a funder or bank is waiting, ask for the fax on the call.
- Legal name mismatch on the application. Enter your legal entity name exactly as the IRS has it — not your marketing name or DBA — then note the DBA separately.
- Waiting on the letter before applying at all. For revenue-based funding, your bank statements do the heavy lifting. Start the application; run the 147C request alongside it.
How this fits a revenue-based funding application
If your credit is thin or your FICO sits in the 500s, a revenue-based or MCA marketplace is often the most realistic path, because approval leans on your bank deposits and consistent revenue rather than credit score. Typical entry points start around $10,000, with decisions frequently in 24–48 hours when statements are clean. Nothing here is ever guaranteed — funders weigh deposit stability, average daily balances, and negative-day frequency.
In that model, the EIN verification letter is a supporting document, not the decision. The winning approach is to lead with your cash flow, submit early, and have the 147C ready by fax so the verification step never becomes the bottleneck. To see how funders read your statements, review our how lenders evaluate bank statements pillar before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Can I download an EIN verification letter online?
No. The IRS does not offer an online download or email delivery for Letter 147C. You must call 800-829-4933 and have it faxed (often same call) or mailed. There is no form to submit for a 147C.
What's the difference between a CP-575 and a 147C?
The CP-575 is the one-time confirmation notice sent when your EIN is first assigned and can never be reissued. The 147C is the on-request replacement. Both state your legal name and EIN, and lenders accept either as proof.
How long does it take to get a 147C?
If you ask the IRS to fax it while you're on the phone, you can often have it the same day. By mail it typically takes around two weeks. Choose fax if a lender, bank, or processor is waiting on it.
Who can request the EIN verification letter?
Only a party authorized on the IRS account: a sole proprietor, corporate officer, partner, LLC member or manager, or a third party covered by a Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) or 8821 already on file. The IRS will not release it to anyone else.
Do I need a 147C to get business funding?
Usually not to apply. Revenue-based and MCA-style funders underwrite mainly on bank deposits and revenue. The EIN letter is typically a verification step at closing — most useful when your legal name and DBA differ or when you're verifying the deposit bank account.
My business name doesn't match my application — will the 147C fix it?
It resolves the mismatch. The 147C shows the exact legal name the IRS has tied to your EIN, so an underwriter can reconcile it with your DBA or corrected application without restarting the file. Always enter your legal entity name, not your marketing name, on funding applications.
Is the EIN verification letter the same as an EIN confirmation letter?
People use the terms interchangeably. "EIN confirmation letter" usually means the original CP-575, while "EIN verification letter" is the 147C. Both confirm the same EIN and legal name, so either satisfies a request for your "EIN letter."
Can my accountant get the 147C for me?
Yes, but only if they're authorized on your account through a Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) or 8821 before they call. Without that authorization on file, the IRS will only speak to an owner, officer, partner, or member.
