How to Get a Copy of My SS-4 Letter | Get Proof Of EIN Fast

A replacement EIN confirmation (often Letter 147C) can be requested from the IRS after they verify your identity and business details.

If you’re trying to get a copy of your “SS-4 letter,” you’re usually trying to get one of two things:

• A copy of what you filed (Form SS-4), or
• Official proof of the EIN the IRS assigned after that SS-4 was processed.

Most banks, payroll providers, and vendors aren’t asking for your filled-out SS-4. They want the IRS’s EIN confirmation. That’s commonly the CP 575 notice (the first confirmation sent after EIN assignment) or a replacement verification letter (Letter 147C) if the original is missing.

This article walks you through the cleanest way to get the right document, plus the small prep steps that keep the call short and avoid dead ends.

What “SS-4 letter” usually means in real life

Form SS-4 is the application used to request an Employer Identification Number (EIN). The IRS publishes the official instructions and explains when you need an EIN. If you want to confirm what SS-4 is used for (and what it is not), start with the IRS instructions and EIN overview pages. See Instructions for Form SS-4 (12/2025) and the IRS page on Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Here’s the plain-English breakdown of the paperwork people mix up:

• Form SS-4: What you submit to request an EIN.
• CP 575: The IRS’s initial EIN assignment notice (many people call this the “EIN confirmation letter”).
• Letter 147C: A replacement EIN verification letter the IRS can issue when you need proof again.

If a bank asked for your “SS-4 letter,” ask what they want to see: a copy of your SS-4, or an IRS-issued letter that proves the EIN. In most cases, official proof of EIN is what clears the requirement.

Check these places before you call the IRS

You might already have what you need. A quick sweep can save you a long hold time.

Look for the original EIN assignment notice

If you applied and received the EIN by mail, search your records for “CP 575,” “EIN,” “Employer Identification Number,” or “Internal Revenue Service.” Paper copies often end up in a banker’s folder, incorporation binder, or an onboarding packet from a payroll provider.

Search the inbox used for the EIN application

If you applied online, the confirmation you saved or printed that day may still be in email attachments, downloads, or cloud storage. Try searching for “EIN confirmation,” “IRS EIN,” and the legal name of the entity.

Check prior filings and account setups

Some documents show the EIN even if they aren’t “the letter.” Old payroll setup forms, business tax returns, and some state registrations may list it. That still may not satisfy a bank’s “official proof” request, yet it can help you confirm the number before you request a verification letter.

Ask your authorized contacts

If an accountant, attorney, registered agent, or payroll service helped form the business, they may have retained the EIN notice in their engagement file. If they are listed as an authorized party with the IRS, they may also be able to request verification on your behalf.

How to Get a Copy of My SS-4 Letter when you need official proof

If you need an IRS-issued document that proves the EIN, the common route is requesting Letter 147C. The IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line handles EIN-related calls and lists its hours on the IRS business phone contacts page: Telephone assistance contacts for business customers.

Before you dial, set yourself up to pass identity checks quickly. The IRS will only release EIN verification to someone authorized to receive it.

Get these details in front of you

• Legal name of the entity (exact spelling)
• Trade name or DBA, if used
• Entity address on record (and any old address if you moved)
• Your name and title/role (responsible party, officer, partner, owner)
• Your taxpayer ID (often SSN/ITIN for the responsible party)
• The EIN, if you have it (helpful, not always required)
• The type of entity (LLC, corporation, partnership, sole proprietor)

If you don’t have the EIN at all, still gather the rest. The call usually goes smoother when the address and legal name match IRS records.

Call the Business and Specialty Tax Line

Use the IRS-listed EIN assignment line and hours shown on the official IRS page for business phone assistance. The IRS notes the business line operates Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time for most callers. See the “Business and specialty tax line and EIN assignment” section on the IRS contacts page: Telephone assistance contacts for business customers.

Once you reach an agent, say you need an “EIN verification letter,” and you want it sent as Letter 147C. Then answer the verification questions. After verification, ask for delivery by:

• Fax (fastest if you have access to a secure fax number), or
• Mail (slower, yet useful when fax isn’t available)

If you choose fax, use a number you control or one belonging to a trusted professional who is allowed to receive sensitive documents for your business. If you choose mail, confirm the address the IRS has on file before they send it.

Write down what you learn during the call

While you’re on the phone, keep a simple call note:

• Date and time of the call
• Agent name or badge/ID (if provided)
• Delivery method (fax or mail)
• Where it was sent (fax number or mailing address)

This note makes follow-up easier if the letter doesn’t arrive as expected.

Ways to get EIN proof and what each option is best for

The right route depends on what you’re trying to do and what you have on hand. This table compares the common options people use when they need “SS-4 letter” paperwork.

Option	When it fits	What you’ll need ready
Find the original CP 575 notice	You saved the first EIN assignment notice and a third party accepts it	Business records, formation binder, scanned PDFs, mail archives
Request Letter 147C by phone	You need fresh IRS-issued proof of EIN	Legal name, address on file, responsible party ID, entity type
Receive 147C by fax	You need proof soon and have secure fax access	A secure fax number, ability to pick up pages right away
Receive 147C by mail	Fax is not available, or you want paper delivery to the address on record	Correct IRS address on file, patience for postal delivery
Ask your authorized tax pro for a copy	A CPA/EA/attorney handled EIN setup and kept the notice	Permission to share documents, time to retrieve from their files
Use an in-person IRS appointment when needed	Phone route stalls due to identity issues or account mismatch	Government ID, formation papers, appointment scheduled in advance
Recreate your SS-4 filing copy from your own files	A vendor wants to see the SS-4 you submitted (less common)	Your saved SS-4, drafts, submission copies, signer details

What to do if you can’t pass IRS verification on the phone

If the IRS can’t verify you as an authorized party, the agent won’t release the EIN letter. That’s normal. It’s not personal, it’s privacy.

Common reasons calls fail

• The entity address you provide doesn’t match IRS records
• The entity name on file has punctuation or spacing you didn’t match
• You’re not listed as the responsible party or authorized officer on record
• A third-party designee authorization has expired

Fix the mismatch first

If you recently changed addresses, confirm what address the IRS has on file. If you have old IRS notices, use the address printed there to answer verification questions. If your business name changed, locate the paperwork that shows the name used when the EIN was created.

If you run the business but are not the person the IRS recognizes for account access, your next move is to get the right authorization in place. Many businesses use Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) or Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization) so an authorized representative can help with IRS account matters. Use the form that matches what you want the representative to do, and keep a copy with your records.

When an in-person IRS visit helps

If you hit a wall on the phone, an appointment at a Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) may help, especially when there are identity checks or entity-record issues that take longer to sort out.

The IRS explains how to find a local office and schedule a visit on its “Contact your local IRS office” page: Contact your local IRS office. The locator tool itself is also public and lets you search by address or ZIP code: IRS Local Office Locator.

Bring government ID and your business formation documents. Also bring anything that ties you to the entity: operating agreement pages that list members/managers, corporate officer records, partnership agreement signature pages, or prior IRS mail.

How to keep your EIN proof from going missing again

Once you receive the letter, treat it like a core identity document for the business. A few minutes of cleanup now can save a lot of stress later.

Store it in two secure places

• A locked digital folder with restricted access (PDF copy)
• A physical folder used for banking and tax documents (paper copy)

Name the file so it’s searchable

A simple naming format helps: “EIN letter 147C – LegalName – YYYY-MM-DD.pdf”. You’ll find it faster when you’re opening a bank account or filling a vendor packet.

Limit who has the full document

Share the EIN letter only when required. Many workflows only need the EIN typed into a form, not the full IRS letter. If a third party asks for the letter, ask what they’re verifying and whether a redacted copy is accepted (redact addresses or other non-needed fields when possible).

Fast prep checklist for a clean request

Use this table as a quick prep sheet before you request the replacement letter. It keeps your call tight and reduces the odds of a second attempt.

Prep item	What to gather	Why it helps
Entity identity	Exact legal name, entity type, formation date if known	Matches IRS records and speeds verification
Address history	Current address plus the address used when the EIN was issued	Fixes the most common verification snag
Responsible party info	Name and taxpayer ID for the responsible party	Agents often use this to confirm authority
Delivery plan	Secure fax number or confirmed mailing address on file	Prevents delays and misdelivery
Recordkeeping	Notebook or notes app ready for call details	Makes follow-up simple if needed

Common “SS-4 letter” scenarios and the best next move

You need to open a business bank account. Ask the bank if they accept Letter 147C. Many do. Request 147C by phone and choose fax if the bank appointment is soon.

You’re onboarding payroll and the provider wants “proof of EIN.” Letter 147C is usually accepted as current IRS verification. Keep a PDF stored for renewals and audits.

You changed the business address. Be ready with the prior address used when the EIN was assigned. If you only give the new address and it doesn’t match IRS records, the call may stall.

You bought a business or took over an entity role. The IRS will only work with authorized parties on record. Update authority the right way first, then request the verification letter.

You truly need a copy of what you filed on SS-4. That’s an internal record question. The IRS-issued EIN letter is separate from your SS-4 copy. Your best source is your own saved paperwork or the professional who prepared the filing.