EIN Verification Letter 147C: How to Get It from India (2026)

You're halfway through opening a bank account, or a Stripe reviewer has sent a follow-up question, and then the request arrives: "Please upload your EIN confirmation letter."

You search your inbox. Your downloads. That old folder named "LLC docs." Nothing.

Don't panic. This happens to thousands of founders, especially those living outside the US, whose IRS letters often never arrive at all. The fix is an official replacement called Letter 147C, and you can usually get it from India within a single phone call.

CP 575 vs Letter 147C: What's the Difference?

There are two IRS documents that prove your EIN:

• CP 575 is the original notice the IRS sends when it first assigns your EIN.
• Letter 147C is the EIN verification letter the IRS issues later, on request, to confirm an EIN that already exists.

Here's the important part: the IRS cannot reissue a CP 575. Once it's lost, Letter 147C is your official replacement, and banks, payment platforms and state agencies accept it as proof of your EIN.

Requesting a 147C doesn't create a new EIN or change anything about your company. It simply confirms what the IRS already has on file.

When Will You Need It?

The EIN letter comes up more often than founders expect:

• Opening a US business bank account. Our guide to opening a Mercury bank account as a non-resident lists it among the key documents.
• Payment platform verification, such as Stripe, PayPal or Amazon. See our guide to setting up a Stripe account for a US LLC from India.
• State registrations, such as sales tax permits
• Clients and vendors who need to confirm your business details
• Fixing a name mismatch between your EIN records and your documents

Who Can Request Letter 147C?

The IRS will only discuss your EIN with an authorized person, typically:

• The LLC's owner or responsible party, the person listed on the original EIN application
• A third party who holds formal IRS authorization, such as a tax professional with a power of attorney

Pro tip: Before you call, find the exact details you used on your EIN application: the LLC's legal name, your name as responsible party and the business address. The IRS will check these to verify your identity.

How to Request Letter 147C from India: Step by Step

Step 1: Gather Your Details

Have these ready before dialing:

• Your EIN (if you know it)
• Your LLC's exact legal name and business address on file
• Your name and title as the responsible party
• A fax number that can receive documents, or a mailing address

Don't have a fax machine? Many founders use an online fax service with a US number, which delivers incoming faxes to your email.

Step 2: Call the IRS at the Right Time

• From India: call the IRS international line at +1 267-941-1099. It isn't toll-free, so use a calling plan or app with good international rates.
• From the US: call the Business & Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933.

IRS phone lines run on US Eastern Time. In India, that usually means calling in the late afternoon or evening IST. Check the IRS website for current hours before you call, and expect to wait on hold, especially early in the year.

Step 3: Ask for an EIN Verification Letter

When you reach an agent, say clearly: "I'd like to request an EIN verification letter, Letter 147C." Then answer their identity questions using the details you prepared.

Step 4: Choose Fax or Mail

• Fax: often arrives during or shortly after your call, which makes it the fastest option by far.
• Mail: can take several weeks, and international mail adds more delay.

If your bank or platform is waiting, always choose fax.

Step 5: Save It Everywhere

Once you receive it, save the letter as a PDF in at least two places, such as cloud storage and your company records folder. You'll likely need it again.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying for a new EIN instead. Your LLC should have only one EIN. Getting a second one creates serious confusion with the IRS.
• Calling without your details. If your answers don't match the IRS records, the agent can't help you.
• Choosing mail when you're in a hurry. International mail can take weeks.
• Ignoring a name mismatch. If the 147C shows a slightly different LLC name than your bank application, fix it before submitting; mismatches are a common reason for rejection.

Common mistake: Not saving the CP 575 in the first place. If you apply for an EIN online, you can download the CP 575 right after approval. Save it immediately, because that download screen won't appear again.

Getting Your EIN in the First Place

If you don't have an EIN yet, you don't need an SSN to get one. Our guide on how to get an EIN without an SSN explains every option for international founders. And once your EIN is active, remember it comes with yearly filing duties; our guide to foreign-owned LLC taxes covers what's required.

Let Us Handle the IRS Calls

Long hold times, time zone differences and identity checks make IRS calls from India frustrating. FormLLC's EIN service helps founders get their EIN and handle verification paperwork, so your bank and payment applications aren't left waiting.

Stuck without your EIN letter? Book a free consultation and our team will help you sort it out.