147c letter refers to a form that is submitted to the IRS to request proof of an existing Employment Identification Number (EIN).
In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the 147c letter, including answering common questions that we receive on the topic.
This article is part of our free series on US LLCs, including how to prepare for the application process of opening a business bank account for an LLC, which you can access here.
Feel free to use the table of contents to jump ahead to the sections most relevant to you.
Table of Contents
- 147c Letter
- How Do I Obtain a 147c Letter From the IRS?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ready to Open Accounts With Banks in the USA?
147c Letter
147c letter is also known as an “EIN letter” or “147 form”. In all cases, it refers to a document that is submitted to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in order to confirm the details of an existing Employee Identification Number (EIN) for a corporate entity. 147c letters are commonly used by foreign non-resident owners of US LLCs in the process of applying for an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN).
Foreign non-resident owners of US LLCs need to obtain ITINs for tax reporting purposes, which makes the 147c letter an important step in meeting the annual requirements of a US LLC. It’s important to understand what operating income is vs gross profit to ensure you’re reporting the proper information to the IRS.
ITINs also help unlock a wide range of other benefits for business owners, ranging from more bank account options to establishing credit history and accessing credit cards.
How Do I Obtain a 147c Letter From the IRS?
To obtain a 147c letter from the IRS, you will need to contact the Internal Revenue Service’s Business and Speciality Tax department by phone. Importantly, this is the only way to request a 147c letter from the IRS.
In order to successfully receive form 147c, you will need to have certain information on hand when speaking with the IRS agent. This information includes the following.
Information Required to Obtain 147c Letter
- Registered name of the LLC
- Employment Insurance Number (EIN)
- Registered address of the LLC
- Month and year EIN was issued
- Responsible person & their position
- US phone number
- US fax number
The IRS agent will also ask you to sign a letter confirming that you agree to receive the information by fax. You will need to have access to a fax machine or eFax system in order to complete this step. So it is best to navigate this requirement before contacting the IRS as it will streamline the process for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Below are two of the most common questions that we receive from people looking into what a 147C letter is. If you have further questions you would like answered, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us directly.
Can I Request a 147C Letter Online?
No, you cannot request a 147c letter online. The only way that you can obtain a 147c letter is by calling the IRS’ Department of Business and Specialty Tax by phone. In fact, the IRS will not send any information to you by email. And, when completing the request for a 147c letter, you will need to provide written confirmation that you agree to accept information by fax.
Can I Get a Copy of My EIN Confirmation Letter (147C) Online?
No, you cannot get a copy of your EIN confirmation letter (147c) online. As mentioned, you can only get this letter by calling the IRS directly and speaking with the Department of Business and Specialty Tax.
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