If you ever needed to confirm your EIN, you must have heard the term “147c letter.” Can you get a 147c letter online? Let’s explore what a 147c letter is, why you need one, and how you can get one.
What is a 147c Letter?
A 147c letter may be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS sends it to a certain business when it requests to confirm whether a given EIN has been allocated to a specific business.
It is an official letter coming from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), proving your business’s Employer Identification Number.
Similar to a Social Security Number, an EIN has an extremely similar purpose, except for the business, not the individual, that it represents, and for which it is used to identify on the books of the governmental bodies for tax.
Many businesses either lose their EIN or may need to come up with proof of their EIN for multiple official reasons. The 147c letter will prove that the EIN exists for your business and provides you with crucial business information about:
- Your business name as registered at the state level
- Your EIN
- The date of formation for your business
To put it simply, a 147c letter is proof of the tax identification number the IRS has on your business.
Why You May Need a 147c Letter
There are countless scenarios in which you might need a 147c letter:
- Having Lost Your EIN: If you can no longer find your EIN, having this letter can assist you in recovering it.
- Bank Requirements: Some other reasons you might require this letter from the bank include the application for a business loan or even the opening of a business account.
- Tax Compliance: The tax authorities or other registrants would also require the confirmation of the EIN number so that they can confirm all the details provided.
- Change of Business Name: If your business name changes, this would be included with a 147c letter to update your new business’s details.
Can I Obtain My 147c Letter Online?
The short answer is no. Unfortunately, one cannot obtain their 147c letter online.
The IRS does not currently have an online service to apply for the letter on their website, nor are there any other online services through which one could obtain it. There are, however, some relatively painless and speedy ways to get your 147c letter.
How to Acquire Your 147c Letter
Although you can’t apply for the letter through an online request, you can still get it using two of the most common methods:
1. Phone
The fastest way to obtain your 147c letter is by contacting the IRS directly through a phone call. Here’s the process:
- Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line: For that, dial 1-800-829-4933.
- Provide all Necessary Information: You would establish your identity and provide other information that is needed to be supplied concerning your business, such as your EIN, business name, and the business’s address. Be prepared with these details.
- Request the 147c Letter: Once you have proved your identity, you would request the IRS to mail your 147c letter. The letter could either be faxed to you or mailed to you.
What You Should Know:
- Fax Option: If you have a fax machine, this is how you will get the letter the quickest. As soon as you dial in the number of the IRS, they will immediately fax it over to you.
- Mail Option: If you don’t want it faxed, it might take around 7 to 10 business days before getting your letter.
2. Through Mail
If you wish to request it on paper, forward a written request to the IRS. Here’s how you must do it:
- Write a Letter: You should include your business name, EIN, and the request for a 147c letter.
- Send It to the IRS: Mail your letter or request to the IRS office serving your business location. This could take time as it has to undergo processing time before getting to that location and added to the time through post office delivery.
Important Tip: Be Prepared
Before you call the IRS, you must make sure you are authorized to receive the letter. Typically, only the business owner, a corporate officer, or an authorized representative can request the 147c letter.
What Can Happen If I Lost My EIN?
What if you lost your EIN and didn’t have a 147c letter to prove it? Relax. You may be able to get your EIN through this process:
- Check Your Records: If you have your EIN written down, it may be from a confirmation letter that you received from the IRS or you may even have old tax returns for your business in documents elsewhere.
- Call the IRS: If you want to be able to get your EIN, you can simply call the IRS at 1-800-829-4933 as indicated earlier. The customer service at the IRS will ask for some identity information to ensure that you are actually authorized to receive your EIN.
Can I Ask for a 147c Letter When My Business is Closed?
Yes! You can even ask for a 147c letter even if your business is inactive. The IRS still keeps the record of your EIN even if it’s an inactive business. You can just dial the IRS and give them all the information that they need, and they’ll send you that 147c letter.
FAQ
What is the cost of the 147c letter?
The 147c letter is absolutely free. The IRS will not charge to mail or fax the letter to you.
Can I request a 147c letter for a business someone else is running?
You can’t have them make one on behalf of someone else’s business unless you are authorized to represent that business or are set up as a contact in the IRS. If you’re assisting this person, then you should be added as an authorized contact on the IRS records.
Can I get my EIN online?
Technically, you cannot, but online the website also gives you information about your EIN. You have to send a request to the IRS to get the 147c letter.
Conclusion
So, can you get a 147c letter online? No. But you would get it in a short time and with great ease by making the call or by post. If you need to validate the EIN for a certain reason or another, you can contact the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line, and they will give you your 147c letter free.
Okay, it’s a bit archaic maybe, but the process is pretty straightforward, and not that painful if followed diligently. Just prepare all the information about your business before calling them, and they are happy to oblige you with your letter.
For further assistance with EIN applications, check out our EIN page. Also, you can check for more information on the IRS.
Want to know more about the process? Throw your questions in the comments below!