In business finance, documentation is everything. One of the most frequently requested forms — and commonly lost — is the IRS-issued EIN Confirmation Letter. Whether you're onboarding with a new lender, opening a commercial bank account, or finalizing compliance with a government agency, this letter is often non-negotiable.
If your original EIN letter is missing, here are your options to obtain a valid replacement and maintain momentum in your file.
If your original EIN letter is missing, here are your options to obtain a valid replacement and maintain momentum in your file.
What Is an EIN Confirmation Letter?
The IRS issues an EIN Confirmation Letter when you’re first assigned your Employer Identification Number — the federal tax ID used for business filings, banking, and credit purposes.
There are two versions:
- CP 575 – The original confirmation letter issued immediately after EIN approval
- 147C Letter – The official replacement letter issued when the original has been lost, misplaced, or never received
Both documents confirm the entity's legal name, EIN, and classification — and are widely accepted across all financial and regulatory channels.
There are two versions:
- CP 575 – The original confirmation letter issued immediately after EIN approval
- 147C Letter – The official replacement letter issued when the original has been lost, misplaced, or never received
Both documents confirm the entity's legal name, EIN, and classification — and are widely accepted across all financial and regulatory channels.
Options to Replace a Lost EIN Letter
If your original EIN documentation is no longer available, here are the primary ways to recover or replace it:
Option 1: Call the IRS and Request a 147C Letter
This is the most authoritative solution.
Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933. Request the 147C EIN Verification Letter. If you’re listed as an authorized representative, the IRS will fax it immediately or mail it to the address they have on file.
This is the only way to get a clean IRS-stamped replacement that’s universally accepted by banks, lenders, and federal agencies.
Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933. Request the 147C EIN Verification Letter. If you’re listed as an authorized representative, the IRS will fax it immediately or mail it to the address they have on file.
This is the only way to get a clean IRS-stamped replacement that’s universally accepted by banks, lenders, and federal agencies.
Option 2: Search Your Email Communications and Downloads Folder
If you applied for your EIN online through IRS.gov, you likely received a confirmation screen with a downloadable PDF. Many people forget to save it — or save it without naming it properly.
Try this:
This route recovers the original letter more often than people expect — especially if you applied digitally.
Try this:
- Search your email using terms like “EIN Confirmation”, “IRS CP 575”, or “Employer Identification Number”
- Check your downloads folder and cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.)
- If you had an assistant or partner handle the process, ask them to search as well
This route recovers the original letter more often than people expect — especially if you applied digitally.
Option 3: Revisit Business Loan Applications and Underwriting Files
If you’ve applied for business credit, loans, merchant cash advances, or equipment financing in the past, you likely uploaded your EIN letter during those processes. Go back into your client portals or CRM inbox and look for:
Most underwriters retain copies of EIN documentation for at least 12–24 months for compliance reasons.
- Application packages
- KYC documentation uploads
- Submission receipts from prior lenders
Most underwriters retain copies of EIN documentation for at least 12–24 months for compliance reasons.
Option 4: Contact Your CPA, Accountant, or Incorporation Service
If a professional handled your business formation or tax filings, check with them first. CPAs and incorporation firms (like LegalZoom, Incfile, etc.) typically store digital copies of the CP 575 as part of your formation kit.
Ask them to resend anything labeled:
- EIN Assignment Letter
- CP 575 Confirmation
- IRS Entity Confirmation Packet
This is often faster than going through the IRS — and perfectly acceptable for banking and lender verification.
Ask them to resend anything labeled:
- EIN Assignment Letter
- CP 575 Confirmation
- IRS Entity Confirmation Packet
This is often faster than going through the IRS — and perfectly acceptable for banking and lender verification.
Option 5: Request Documentation from Your Business Bank
When you opened your business bank account, you were required to submit your EIN. Many financial institutions retain copies of submitted paperwork in your internal profile.
Contact your relationship manager or branch representative and ask:
“Do you still have a copy of the EIN confirmation letter I submitted when I opened the account? If so, can I get a copy emailed or mailed to me?”
This isn’t guaranteed, but worth pursuing — especially if you’ve been with your bank for a while.
Contact your relationship manager or branch representative and ask:
“Do you still have a copy of the EIN confirmation letter I submitted when I opened the account? If so, can I get a copy emailed or mailed to me?”
This isn’t guaranteed, but worth pursuing — especially if you’ve been with your bank for a while.
Option 6: Check Old Tax Filings, W-9s, and Contracts
If you’ve filed taxes under your EIN, check prior returns. The EIN will appear on:
- IRS Forms 1120, 1065, 941
- W-9s you submitted to vendors
- Corporate resolutions or contracts
- Business licenses or permit applications
- UCC-1 filings (public records) While these won’t replace the official letter, they do provide credible documentation of your EIN and may be accepted as backup verification.
- IRS Forms 1120, 1065, 941
- W-9s you submitted to vendors
- Corporate resolutions or contracts
- Business licenses or permit applications
- UCC-1 filings (public records) While these won’t replace the official letter, they do provide credible documentation of your EIN and may be accepted as backup verification.
Option 7: Look at Government Registrations or Portals
If you registered your business with any federal or state agency — such as SAM.gov, the SBA, or your state’s Department of Revenue — your EIN may be visible inside your profile or registration documents.
Some portals also allow you to download your business profile with EIN listed for verification purposes.
Some portals also allow you to download your business profile with EIN listed for verification purposes.
Option 8: Ask Your Payroll Company or Bookkeeper
If you’ve ever run payroll, your payroll provider or software (ADP, Gusto, Paychex, QuickBooks Payroll, etc.) uses your EIN for tax remittance. Log in to the payroll portal or contact your provider and ask for:
- Company profile setup form
- Federal EIN verification page
Option 9: Check SBA or Government Loan Applications
If you applied for an SBA EIDL, PPP, or other government-backed loan program, you were required to provide EIN documentation. Go back into the SBA portal, your lender’s online portal, or your own email — those uploads are often archived and accessible.
Option 10: Retrieve EIN from Your Registered Agent or Formation Binder
If you used a registered agent or corporate compliance service, they may have issued a corporate kit or digital binder.
These often include:
- Articles of Incorporation/Organization
- Operating Agreements
- CP 575 EIN Letter (if filed on your behalf)
Even if the company no longer provides active service, their support team may still have archived documents available for prior clients.
These often include:
- Articles of Incorporation/Organization
- Operating Agreements
- CP 575 EIN Letter (if filed on your behalf)
Even if the company no longer provides active service, their support team may still have archived documents available for prior clients.
Option 11: FOIA Request — IRS Form 4506-A (Only If Necessary)
If you’re unable to recover documentation through any of the channels above, you can file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the IRS. Use Form 4506-A to request EIN-related records from their archive.
Keep in mind:
- This process is paper-based
- Turnaround time is often 4–8 weeks
- Only use this if other options are exhausted
Keep in mind:
- This process is paper-based
- Turnaround time is often 4–8 weeks
- Only use this if other options are exhausted
Your EIN Letter is More Than a Formality
In business, missing documentation can stall momentum — but it doesn't have to. Whether you're preparing for a funding round, opening a corporate account, or clearing compliance with a lender, having your EIN letter in order is essential. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to retrieve or reconstruct it — some faster than others. From direct contact with the IRS to smarter searches through prior filings, email trails, and advisor records, the key is knowing where to look and acting quickly. If you need guidance or support navigating this process, our team at United Capital America is ready to assist — so you can stay focused on growth, not paperwork.
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