How to Print or Get Your EIN Confirmation Letter

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique federal tax identification number for businesses, similar to a Social Security number for individuals. This nine-digit number is crucial for various business activities, including filing tax returns, establishing business bank accounts, and hiring employees. The official document issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to confirm the assignment of an EIN is known as the EIN Confirmation Letter, or IRS Notice CP 575. This letter serves as an important record, verifying your business’s legitimacy with federal authorities and other entities.

Printing Immediately After Online Application

Businesses applying for an EIN online receive their Employer Identification Number immediately upon successful completion. The immediate on-screen display of the EIN includes the digital EIN Confirmation Letter (CP 575). This is the only direct, instant method to obtain the letter after applying online.

To secure this document, locate the “print” or “save as PDF” option directly on the confirmation screen. Print multiple physical copies and save the document as a PDF file to a secure digital location. Maintaining both hard copies and digital backups ensures accessibility for future reference, as this is the only opportunity to obtain the CP 575 directly online.

Requesting a Duplicate EIN Confirmation Letter

If the initial online application window has passed, or if the original mailed CP 575 notice was lost, damaged, or never received, a duplicate can be requested from the IRS. The IRS generally issues the original CP 575 only once. For duplicates, the IRS typically provides an EIN Verification Letter (Letter 147C), which serves the same purpose as proof of your EIN.

Before contacting the IRS, gather specific information. You will need the business’s full legal name, address, and the name and Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) of the responsible party listed on the original EIN application. This information helps streamline the verification process.

The primary method for requesting a duplicate is by calling the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933. This line is generally available Monday through Friday, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM local time. During the call, an IRS representative will verify your identity using the information you provide. Upon successful verification, the IRS will mail a new Letter 147C to the address of record, which typically arrives within four to six weeks.

Confirming Your EIN

If you need an EIN confirmation letter but do not know your Employer Identification Number, confirming the EIN is a necessary preliminary step. This often arises if original records are misplaced and the number is forgotten. Prepare certain details before contacting the IRS.

Have the business’s full legal name, address, and the name and SSN or ITIN of the responsible party available. These details are essential for the IRS to locate and verify your business’s records. Knowing the approximate date the EIN was obtained can also assist.

The most direct way to confirm an EIN is by calling the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933. An IRS representative can search for and provide the EIN over the phone after verifying your identity. Other potential sources for finding a misplaced EIN include:
Previous tax returns filed by the business
Notices or correspondence received from the IRS
Business bank account statements
Business licenses and permits

Once confirmed, you can then request a duplicate EIN Confirmation Letter, as outlined previously.