Lost your EIN number and want to know how to request an EIN verification letter 147C?
You’ve come to the right place!
If you’re in the process of opening a US business bank account for an LLC or conducting other official activities for your business, it’s essential to have your EIN.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- EIN verification letters can be requested through the IRS
- EIN verification letters are often required when opening a company bank account
- There is a specific step-by-step process for requesting EIN Verification Letters
- There are alternative ways to regain your employer identification number
It can be hard to figure out how to get a 147C verification letter because the information online isn’t very clear, so here we’ve broken down the process step by step to make it as easy as possible!
Below we’ve even included a checklist of the documents you’ll need to be able to submit your request and some alternative ways of recovering your EIN.
Feel free to use the table of contents to jump ahead to the sections most relevant to you.
Table of Contents
- EIN Verification Letter 147C
- Why Request an Employer Identification Number Letter?
- What to Know Before You Request an EIN Confirmation Letter
- How to Request an Employer Identification Number
- Alternatives to Requesting a 147C Letter
- Access US Banking as a Foreign-Owned LLC
- Ready to Get Started?
EIN Verification Letter 147C
If you lose your EIN and need it to apply to banks or conduct other official business, you will need to request an EIN verification letter 147C. The process is outdated and bureaucratic, but if you know the right steps it is not that complicated.
But, before diving in, if this is your first time visiting GlobalBanks, don’t forget to download your FREE USA Banking Starter Guide. It’s designed to help you open accounts in the US for your foreign and non-resident business.
Note: if you are in the beginning stages of figuring out where you want to register your foreign-owned US LLC, one option worth considering is Wyoming. That said, you first should understand both the Wyoming LLC pros and cons to determine if it’s the right choice for you.
Why Request an Employer Identification Number Letter?
Before we dive into knowing how to request an EIN verification letter 147C, it’s important to understand why you may need to request one in the first place.
Of course, each person will have their reason for needing a 147C letter. But, generally speaking, there are specific reasons why foreign-owned US LLCs will request an EIN verification letter (147C) from the IRS.
You may need to request a 147C letter when…
- Opening a company bank account in the United States
- Applying for a business loan
- Applying for business US credit cards
- Filing tax returns
- Applying for licenses or permits for business operations
- Going into business with another company
- Soliciting US payment processing services
- And more…
Now, for many people, memorizing their business’s EIN isn’t easy. This is especially true if you operate multiple businesses.
So, whether you’ve forgotten your employer identification number or you’ve misplaced documents verifying your EIN, you will need the IRS to send you a 147C letter to do any of the things listed above.
So now, let’s look at the information you need to have in order to request an EIN verification letter (147C) from the IRS.
What to Know Before You Request an EIN Confirmation Letter
To request a verification letter you must have the appropriate information and documentation on hand for the IRS to verify who you are.
Here, we’ve created a checklist of the specific items the IRS will ask you to provide when you request a verification letter.
Form 147C Checklist:
- Registered name of your US LLC
- Month & Year LLC EIN was issued
- Name of the responsible person
- Position of the responsible person
- Personal ID or passport
- US phone number
- US fax number for receiving 147C (read below for what to do if you don’t have a fax machine)
Once you have gathered all the information above, you’re now ready to request an EIN Verification Letter 147C.
So, with that said, let’s take a look at the step-by-step process foreign business owners need to take when requesting an EIN verification letter (147C).
How to Request an EIN Verification Letter 147C
Ready to request an EIN verification letter (147C) from the IRS?
Here are the steps foreign business owners need to take to successfully obtain a 147C letter from the IRS.
Step-by-Step Process When Requesting an EIN Confirmation Letter 147C:
- Contact the IRS by calling 1-800-829-4933
- Select your preferred language
- Select the option for information related to “Employer Identification Number”
- Choose the option for “I have an EIN, but I can’t remember it”
- Advise the agent you are requesting for an EIN Verification Letter (147C)
- Answer the security questions to verify you’re the owner of your US LLC
- Wait for your information to be verified and approved
- Choose between a mail or fax copy of your 147C letter
It’s important to note, the only way to receive an EIN verification letter (147C) is by calling the IRS directly. (If you just need the EIN number itself, not a physical document, we’ve outlined some alternatives you can try below.)
If you’re looking to get your EIN verification letter (147C) in a timely manner, we highly recommend you request your 147C letter be faxed instead of mailed. This will save you approximately 4 (or more) weeks of waiting for it to arrive. Not to mention, help you avoid the possibility of it getting lost in transit.
Of course, not many people today still use a fax machine. So if that’s the case for you, you can get around this by creating a fax number for free online. With an online fax number, documents sent by fax will be sent directly to your inbox.
Now, if you don’t need to be able to show a physical document, a 147C letter from the IRS is not the only way to obtain your EIN. There are alternative ways foreign business owners can locate just the number itself. More on this below.
Alternatives to Requesting a 147C Letter
Before you begin the process of contacting the IRS to request an EIN verification letter (147C), you should know there are other ways you can regain your employer identification number.
Alternatives to Requesting a 147C Letter:
- EIN confirmation letter
- Tax returns
- Financial situation
When you applied for an EIN through the IRS, you would have received a confirmation letter. This letter will identify the EIN, LLC ownership, and the date the EIN was issued.
Of course, over time, your confirmation letter can be misplaced. And, if you don’t happen to have a copy on file, don’t worry.
Another alternative is by looking through your tax returns which you filed under your EIN. Or by contacting your bank where you used your EIN to open an account.
However, if these alternatives are unavailable to you because you’re a new business and have yet to open a bank account or file a tax return, you will need to revert to the step-by-step process above on how to request an EIN verification letter (147C).
Access US Banking as a Foreign-Owned LLC
Once you have your EIN Verification Letter 147c, now you’re ready to take your US LLC to the next level, through access to financing, credit cards, and more. But the first step to doing any of this is to make sure you’re using the best banks. We’re talking about real brick-and-mortar banks here.
Because even though online options can be great these days, there are a number of advantages to having a traditional banking partner. But not just any banking partner.
To optimize your foreign-owned US LLC, you need to find a bank that offers low-cost payment processing, reasonable financing, and attractive business credit cards.
The best part is, you can get access to all of this with just your US LLC. You don’t need to have US residency or show proof of US ties to open a business bank account.
Now, you will likely need to overcome some challenges when you open a US business bank account for a non-resident LLC.
This is why we created GlobalBanks USA, to help our members open the best US business bank accounts for their US LLCs
As a GlobalBanks USA member, you will get direct support from our team of banking experts where we answer the difficult banking questions and suggest specific banks that match your specific client profile.
We then make direct introductions to those specific banks to help you get through the process of opening a bank account for your US LLC as quickly and easily as possible.
So, if you’re ready to get started today, here’s how…
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re ready to open a bank account in the US today or you’re just starting to explore your options, we can help.
GlobalBanks USA is our dedicated US bank account opening service.
GlobalBanks USA gives you everything you need to start finding and opening US bank accounts for you and your business.
When you join GlobalBanks USA, you receive a dedicated account manager to help you navigate your US account opening options.
Plus, you receive access to our library of premium (members-only) US banking reports. This includes proven account opening strategies, client-specific lists of banks, and successful tactics to make the most of US banking.
Of course, you’ll receive direct introductions to US bankers who are ready to help you navigate the account opening process at top US banks.
To get started, click here to see if GlobalBanks USA is the right choice for you to start accessing the benefits of US banking today.