147C Letter Non Resident: How to Get an EIN Verification Letter

147C Letter Non Resident: How to Get an EIN Verification Letter When You Live Outside the US

I have seen how a US bank can delay a business account application because it needs one more document: proof that the company's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is valid. For a founder living outside the United States, that request can be frustrating, especially when the LLC is already formed and the EIN has already been issued.

This is where a 147C letter non resident request becomes important. IRS Letter 147C is an EIN verification letter that confirms an existing Employer Identification Number. If your bank, payment provider, or another business partner asks for official EIN confirmation and you cannot find the original notice, understanding how to request a 147C letter can help you avoid unnecessary delays.

What Is an IRS Letter 147C?

When the IRS first assigns an EIN, it generally issues a CP 575 confirmation notice. If you lose that notice or need written confirmation of an EIN that was previously assigned, you can request Letter 147C, EIN Previously Assigned, from the IRS.

The important distinction is that Letter 147C does not create a new EIN. It verifies the number your business already has. The IRS must follow its identity-verification and disclosure procedures before providing business tax information, so the person making the request should be prepared to establish their authority to receive the letter.

For a foreign-owned US LLC, this document can be useful when a bank asks for EIN verification, company records are incomplete, or the original CP 575 notice has been misplaced. However, each bank decides which documents it accepts, so ask whether it specifically requires Letter 147C or will accept another form of EIN confirmation.

How to Request a 147C Letter From Outside the US

Contact the IRS Using the Appropriate Telephone Number

The first step is to confirm that your EIN has already been assigned. If you have the original CP 575 notice, keep a copy. If you know the EIN but cannot find the notice, explain that you need verification of an existing EIN rather than a new application.

The IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line is 800-829-4933. For callers outside the United States who cannot use the domestic toll-free number, the IRS has listed 267-941-1000 for international assistance. Before calling, verify the current telephone numbers and service availability through official IRS resources, as contact procedures can change. Explain that your US business already has an EIN and ask how to request Letter 147C for verification.

The IRS may need to authenticate your identity and confirm that you are authorized to receive the company's tax information. Be prepared to answer questions about your relationship with the business and its records.

Prepare Your Company Information Before Calling

Before contacting the IRS, gather your LLC's full legal name, EIN if available, address of record, your role in the company, and any original EIN paperwork. The IRS may ask additional questions to verify your identity and connection to the entity. Having these details ready can make the conversation more efficient.

If a tax professional or another representative is making the request, the IRS may require appropriate authorization. Do not assume that hiring a formation service or registered agent automatically authorizes that person to obtain confidential tax information on your behalf.

If you are still organising your company records, a written US LLC operating agreement for non-residents can help document ownership, management responsibilities, and internal company arrangements. Keep this document with your formation records and EIN confirmation, although an operating agreement does not replace the IRS's identity-verification requirements.

Confirm How the IRS Will Deliver the Letter

After verifying the request, the IRS can explain the available delivery options. Letter 147C may be faxed or mailed in eligible cases, subject to the IRS's identity-verification and disclosure requirements. If you live abroad, confirm the permitted delivery method, the correct fax number or mailing address, and the expected timeframe during the request rather than assuming the letter will arrive immediately.

Keep a record of your call, any instructions you receive, and the delivery details you confirm. If your bank has set a deadline, ask the IRS about the available options and communicate the expected next steps to the bank.

What If Your Bank Is Waiting for the Letter?

If the bank has paused onboarding, ask its representative exactly what proof it needs. Some institutions may accept the original CP 575 notice, while others may request an IRS verification letter. Do not assume that sending the EIN number in an email will satisfy its documentation policy.

I would also tell the bank that I have requested the IRS confirmation and ask whether it can continue reviewing the remaining account documents in the meantime. That will not guarantee approval or prevent every delay, but it may help keep the process moving where the bank permits it.

If the bank is reviewing other company records, make sure your formation documents and business details are organised and consistent. Our guide on how to start a US LLC from India explains the wider formation process and the records founders should maintain when establishing a US business from abroad.

If you need to understand the initial EIN application process as well, read our guide to getting an EIN without an SSN for additional information relevant to foreign founders.

One important warning: do not apply for another EIN just because you lost the original confirmation notice. If the IRS has already assigned the number, request verification first. Applying for a second EIN unnecessarily can create avoidable administrative complications.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Requesting Letter 147C

One mistake is confusing EIN verification with a new EIN application. Letter 147C confirms an existing number; it is not a substitute for applying for an EIN when a business has never received one. Before contacting the IRS, check your existing company records to determine whether the EIN was already assigned.

Another mistake is assuming that any company representative can request the letter. The IRS must follow its identity-verification and disclosure procedures, so confirm what documentation or authorization is needed before making the request.

Finally, avoid waiting until the last moment to organise your EIN records. If a bank or payment provider requests confirmation, contact the IRS promptly and ask the institution which documents it can accept while you wait. Keep copies of your formation documents, EIN notice, operating agreement, and relevant company correspondence in a secure location.

My Advice to Non-Resident Founders

When setting up a US company from abroad, I recommend saving the EIN confirmation notice alongside your formation documents, operating agreement, and other essential company records. Keep a secure digital copy and make sure the person responsible for the business can access it when a bank or service provider asks for proof.

If the notice is already missing, a 147C letter non resident request may be the right next step. Start by contacting the IRS, confirm the identity and authorization requirements, and check what the bank will accept before submitting documents. Keeping a record of your request and any delivery instructions can also help you follow up if the letter does not arrive as expected.

The broader lesson is simple: forming an LLC is only one part of running a business internationally. Keeping your tax records organised can make the next banking, payment, or compliance request much easier to handle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a 147C Letter for a Non-Resident?

An IRS Letter 147C is a verification letter confirming an EIN that was previously assigned to a business. Non-resident founders may need it when a bank, payment provider, or business partner requests official confirmation and the original CP 575 notice is unavailable.

Can I Request Letter 147C if I Live Outside the United States?

You can contact the IRS from abroad to ask about obtaining Letter 147C. The IRS will need to verify your identity and authority to receive the company's tax information. Ask about the current international contact procedure and the delivery methods available for your circumstances.

What Is the Difference Between CP 575 and Letter 147C?

CP 575 is the original EIN assignment notice generally issued when the IRS assigns an EIN. Letter 147C is used to verify an EIN that was previously assigned, including when the original notice has been lost or is unavailable.

Can a Registered Agent Request Letter 147C for My LLC?

Not automatically. A registered agent's role in receiving legal and official documents does not, by itself, establish authority to receive confidential tax information. The IRS may require the responsible party or another appropriately authorized individual to make the request.

Will a Bank Accept Letter 147C Instead of CP 575?

Acceptance depends on the bank's documentation policy. Some institutions may accept Letter 147C as EIN verification, while others may request additional documents. Confirm the requirements with the bank before contacting the IRS so you know exactly what evidence is needed.

Should I Apply for a New EIN if I Lose My Confirmation Notice?

No, not simply because the notice is missing. If an EIN has already been assigned, contact the IRS about obtaining verification rather than submitting a new application. This helps avoid unnecessary duplicate EINs and administrative complications.