Your LLC has an EIN, but a payment provider or bank says it “cannot verify” it and asks for an IRS document. This is common, it is fixable, and it usually comes down to one letter. This guide explains which IRS documents prove an EIN, how a founder outside the US can request a Letter 147C, and how to make sure the details match the first time.
The documents that prove an EIN
| Document | What it is | Can you get a new copy? |
|---|---|---|
| CP 575 (the original EIN notice) | The notice the IRS sends when it assigns the EIN | No, the original cannot be reissued |
| SS-4 confirmation (fax applications) | The cover sheet the IRS faxes back with your new EIN | No |
| Letter 147C, “EIN Previously Assigned” | A letter confirming an EIN that already exists | Yes, on request, any time |
| Digital CP 575 in Business Tax Account | A downloadable EIN notice for eligible account users | Yes, for eligible users |
The IRS says the original CP 575 series “cannot be duplicated or recreated”, and that the digital CP 575 and Letter 147C are both accepted as written confirmation of an entity’s EIN (IRS, Understanding your CP575 notice, checked October 2026).
When you will be asked for it
- Payment providers. Shopify Payments lists the SS-4 confirmation letter, IRS Notice CP 575 and IRS Letter 147C as its accepted business verification documents (Shopify Help Center, checked October 2026). Stripe verifies your EIN and may ask for official documents.
- Banks and fintechs, when the name or EIN you typed does not match IRS records.
- Marketplaces and clients that check taxpayer IDs before paying you.
- Your own records, when the original EIN notice was lost or never arrived.
How to request Letter 147C
The IRS lists three ways to confirm an EIN: request an entity transcript, download a digital CP 575 in Business Tax Account if you are eligible, or call the Business and Specialty Tax Line and request Letter 147C (IRS, Employer identification number, checked October 2026).
For most non-resident owners, the phone call is the practical route.
Before you call
- Have the LLC’s exact legal name, EIN and address on file with the IRS (the mailing address from your SS-4, or the latest one you updated).
- Be ready to confirm you are authorized: the owner or the responsible party named on the SS-4. A tax professional can call for you with a signed power of attorney (Form 2848) or tax information authorization (Form 8821).
- Have a fax number or a reliable mailing address where the letter can be sent.
Making the call
- Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.
- Tell the agent you need Letter 147C for an existing EIN.
- Answer the identity questions about the LLC.
- Ask the agent how the letter will be sent. If fax is possible, it avoids slow international mail.
The 800 number is toll-free inside the US and may not connect from every country. An internet calling service with a US number usually solves it. The IRS international EIN line, 267-941-1099, is for EIN applications from outside the US; it is not listed as the line for 147C requests.
Make the details match exactly
Most “cannot verify” errors are not about the EIN. They are about the name. The IRS stores your company name in its own format, and providers compare what you type against it.
- Copy the legal name exactly as it appears on the EIN letter, including “LLC”, punctuation and spacing.
- For a single-member LLC, the IRS name line can include the owner’s name, such as “Northline Studio LLC Maria Silva Sole Mbr”. Shopify notes that the registered name is the line or lines above the address on IRS documents, and must be entered exactly.
- IRS systems allow only letters, numbers, hyphens and ampersands in business names. A name with other symbols may be stored differently.
- Use the address on file with the IRS. If it changed, update it with Form 8822-B before you rely on it.
If the EIN letter never arrived
If you applied by fax or mail and never received the CP 575, call the same line to confirm the EIN and request a 147C. Do not apply for a second EIN for the same LLC. The IRS says a business entity should have only one EIN, and duplicates cause problems with filings and with providers. If you are still waiting on a first EIN, see how to get an EIN for a foreign-owned LLC.
FAQ
Is Letter 147C the same as my EIN confirmation letter?
It is a different letter that serves the same purpose. The CP 575 is issued once, when the EIN is assigned. Letter 147C confirms the same EIN later, and the IRS treats it as written confirmation.
Can I request Letter 147C online?
Not as a 147C. Eligible Business Tax Account users can download a digital CP 575 instead, which the IRS says is accepted the same way. Account access requires identity verification, so check whether you can sign in before relying on it.
How long does it take to get a 147C?
It depends on how the IRS sends it. Mail abroad can take weeks, so ask on the call whether it can be faxed.
My provider still rejects the letter. What now?
Compare the name and EIN on the letter with what you entered, character by character, and update your account to match the letter exactly. Then upload the full, original document, not a screenshot.
Every Company Formation plan includes the EIN application, and the IRS letter lands in your dashboard with your company documents. If a provider asks for EIN proof and you cannot find it, contact us and we will help you get the right letter.
