Your Guide to Getting an EIN Verification Letter in the UK

So, what exactly is an EIN verification letter? Think of it as the official birth certificate for your US company's tax identity. It’s a document straight from the IRS that confirms your business has a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN). For UK founders, getting your hands on this letter—either the original CP-575 notice or its replacement, the 147C Letter—is the critical first step to opening a US business bank account and getting paid.

Understanding Your Company's US Financial ID

The nine-digit EIN is your company’s unique identifier in the US system, but the verification letter is the tangible proof that banks and other financial institutions demand. Without it, you’ll find yourself completely stuck, unable to set up the financial infrastructure your business needs to operate in America.

For non-resident founders, especially those of us based in the UK, this document is absolutely non-negotiable. It’s far more than just a piece of tax paperwork; it’s the key that validates your company's existence to everyone from Mercury to Stripe.

Why This Letter Is a Must-Have

Let’s imagine a common scenario. You’re a UK entrepreneur who just formed a Delaware LLC to sell your products to a new US audience. You’re excited and ready to go, but when you apply for a business bank account, they hit you with a request: "Please upload your EIN verification letter." Suddenly, that abstract "tax ID" becomes a very real roadblock.

This happens all the time. In fact, our experience shows that nearly 98% of new LLCs will be asked for this letter just to open a bank account. It’s a crucial anti-fraud measure that proves your company is legitimate and properly registered with the IRS.

Here’s a quick rundown of why you can't operate without it:

• Opening a Bank Account: Every single US bank we've worked with requires a copy of your CP-575 or 147C Letter. There are no exceptions.

• Setting Up Payment Processors: Services like Stripe and PayPal need this document to verify your business and tax status before you can accept payments.

• Hiring and Payroll: If you plan on hiring US staff or contractors, payroll platforms like Gusto will need your EIN information to handle taxes and filings correctly.

• Securing Funding: Any US-based investor or lender will ask for this letter during their due diligence to confirm your company is properly set up.

The Two Types of Verification Letters

It's really important to know that "EIN verification letter" can mean one of two different IRS documents. They both serve the same function—proving your EIN is valid—but they're issued differently.

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you tell them apart.

CP-575 vs 147C Letter at a Glance

Feature	CP-575 Notice	147C Letter
When It's Issued	Automatically, after your EIN is first assigned.	On request only.
How You Get It	Mailed to the US address on your Form SS-4.	Faxed or mailed after you call the IRS.
Purpose	The original, one-time confirmation letter.	The official replacement for a lost or unreceived CP-575.
Validity	Accepted by all banks and institutions.	Accepted by all banks and institutions.

Basically, the IRS only sends the CP-575 once. If it gets lost in the mail or you never receive it, you have to request a 147C Letter. Both are equally valid.

The first letter is the CP-575 notice. This is the original, automatically generated letter the IRS mails out after they assign your EIN. For most UK founders, this gets sent to your US registered agent's address, which was listed on your application.

The second is the 147C Letter. This is the official replacement you request from the IRS if the original CP-575 is lost, damaged, or never arrives. Unlike the CP-575, you have to be proactive and call the IRS to get this one.

Key Takeaway: The IRS only mails the original CP-575 notice once. If you lose it or never receive it, you must request a 147C Letter as a replacement. Both are equally valid for verification purposes.

This difference is a game-changer for international founders who often face long delays with international mail. Knowing you can request a 147C Letter by fax can save you weeks, sometimes even months, of waiting around. You can find out more about what an EIN number is and how UK founders can get one in our detailed guide.

Getting Your Hands on the Original CP-575 Notice

So, you've successfully applied for and received your EIN. What happens next? The IRS automatically gets to work sending you the official confirmation, a document called the CP-575 notice. You don't have to do anything extra to get this; it's the IRS's way of officially welcoming your business to the US tax system.

This letter is mailed directly to the address you listed on your Form SS-4 application. This little detail is a huge deal, especially for our founders based in the UK. The address you put down can be the difference between getting this critical document quickly or having it vanish into the postal ether.

Why Your US Address is Everything

For non-resident founders, that US address on your SS-4 application is your direct line to the CP-575. Let's be honest, international mail from a government agency isn't exactly known for its speed or reliability. This is precisely where using a professional US registered agent or a virtual address service becomes a massive advantage.

When you use a solid US address for your application, you're essentially setting up a secure and reliable mailbox for your company in the States. Your registered agent gets the letter for you, scans it, and uploads it to your private online portal. Suddenly, you've sidestepped the whole unpredictable international shipping mess, turning a potential two-month nail-biting wait into a quick digital delivery.

Here’s why that's a game-changer:

• Speed: You completely dodge the 8-10 week international mailing black hole.

• Security: The risk of your letter getting lost on its long journey is virtually eliminated.

• Convenience: You get a digital copy you can access instantly from anywhere in the UK.

A One-and-Done Document

Here's the catch with the CP-575 notice: the IRS only issues it once. That’s it. Just one time, right after assigning your EIN. If it gets lost, they will not send you another one. This is a point that trips up a lot of new founders. The CP 575, mailed once in 8-10 weeks to the address on your Form SS-4, confirms your EIN, business name, and tax obligations. Lose it, and your only option for a replacement is to request a 147C letter by phone—no online forms, no faxes. You can find more helpful insights on this process in this guide to the EIN verification letter on Mosey.com.

Think of your CP-575 notice as a passport for your business. It's a one-of-a-kind document that proves your company's identity within the US financial system. Guard the original and always have a high-quality digital scan on hand.

Because you only get one shot at it, you have to treat the CP-575 with care. The second you get that digital scan from your registered agent, download it immediately. Store it in multiple secure places—cloud storage, your hard drive, you name it. Taking this simple, proactive step ensures you'll always have proof of your EIN, even if the physical letter never makes it to your desk. This reality is exactly why every international founder needs to know how to get a replacement, just in case.

Requesting a Replacement EIN Letter 147C from the UK

So, your original EIN confirmation letter, the CP-575, seems to have gone missing in action. Maybe it never even showed up at your UK address. Don't panic—this is a surprisingly common headache for international founders.

The good news is there's a straightforward fix. You can request its official replacement, known as the Letter 147C. This document is just as good as the original and is universally accepted by US banks, payment processors, and partners. It serves the exact same purpose.

Getting your hands on it means calling the IRS directly, which sounds more intimidating than it is. I've walked countless founders through this process, and with a little prep, you'll have what you need in no time.

As this flowchart shows, the IRS automatically mails the CP-575 after you apply. But for founders in the UK, international mail can be slow and unreliable, which is exactly why knowing how to request a 147C is so critical.

What You Need Before You Call the IRS

The single most important thing you can do is prepare your information before you dial. An IRS agent’s job is to verify who you are and confirm you have the authority to get this letter. Having everything ready makes the call quick and painless.

Make sure you have these details right in front of you:

• Your Full Company Name: Have the legal name of your LLC or Corporation handy, exactly as it’s written on your formation documents.

• Your Employer Identification Number (EIN): Yes, you need the number itself, just not the official letter. If you’ve misplaced it, check out our guide on how to retrieve your EIN number first.

• The Official Business Address: This needs to match what the IRS has on file, which is almost always the US registered agent address you used on your Form SS-4.

• Your Role in the Company: Know your official title, whether that's "Director," "Member," or "Owner."

My Best Tip: When you get on the line with the agent, introduce yourself as the "responsible party" for the business. This is specific IRS jargon that immediately tells them you're the authorized person, which really helps move the process along.

Getting your Letter 147C is often a quick phone call away, but being unprepared can turn it into a frustrating experience. This checklist breaks down exactly what you need to do before, during, and after your call to ensure it goes smoothly.

Your Checklist for Calling the IRS

Preparation Step	Details to Have Ready	Key Action
Gather Documents	Your business formation papers and a copy of your Form SS-4 if you have it.	Have the documents open on your computer or printed out for easy reference.
Confirm Key Info	Full legal business name, EIN, US business address, your title.	Write these details on a single sheet of paper so you're not fumbling for them.
Set Up Fax Service	Sign up for an online fax service and get your new US fax number.	Have the fax number ready to give the IRS agent. Do this before you call.
Make the Call	Dial +1 800-829-4933 between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. GMT.	Use the sample script below to start the conversation confidently.
During the Call	Answer security questions clearly.	State that you are the "responsible party" and request delivery by fax.
After the Call	Check your email or fax service dashboard for the PDF of your 147C Letter.	The letter often arrives within minutes to a few hours. Save it immediately.

Following this checklist removes the guesswork and makes sure you get what you need on the first try.

Making the Call from the UK

When you're ready, dial the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at +1 800-829-4933. Don't forget the prefix since you're calling from the UK.

Their hours are Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). For those of us in the UK, that means calling in the afternoon is your best bet. I’ve found the sweet spot is usually between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. GMT, which helps you hit their operating hours while hopefully dodging the worst of the morning rush in the US.

A Simple Script to Get You Started

It’s completely normal to feel a bit nervous, so having a script can help you stay on track. Here’s a straightforward way to open the conversation:

You: “Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I'm the responsible party for [Your Company Name], EIN [Your EIN]. I'm calling from the United Kingdom to request an EIN Verification Letter, the 147C, because we never received our original CP-575 notice.”

From there, the agent will ask a few security questions based on the info you prepared. Answer them clearly, and once they've confirmed your identity, you’re at the most important part of the call.

Always, Always Choose Fax Delivery

The agent will ask if you want the letter sent by mail or fax. This is a critical moment. Always choose fax.

If you ask for it by mail, you’re signing up for a four-to-six-week wait, and sometimes even longer for an international address. For a UK founder setting up a US company, that kind of delay can bring everything to a halt. Lender data shows that 70% of business loan applications get stuck without this document. Waiting over a month is simply not an option.

Choosing fax means you can have the letter within minutes or hours, not weeks.

How to Get a Fax Number in the UK (Without a Fax Machine)

You don't need an old, clunky machine. Online fax services are the perfect modern solution. Here's how it works:

1. Sign Up for an Online Fax Service: Pick a provider that offers a free trial or a cheap monthly plan. There are plenty of good ones out there.

2. Get a US Fax Number: The service will give you a dedicated US number almost instantly.

3. Give the Number to the IRS Agent: Read this number to the agent on the phone.

4. Check Your Email: The 147C will arrive as a PDF in your email or on the service's dashboard, often while you're still on the call.

This simple tech workaround closes the distance between the UK and the IRS, turning a potential month-long delay into a problem you can solve in a single afternoon. Once that PDF lands in your inbox, you can forward it straight to your bank and get back to business.

Navigating Common Hurdles UK Founders Face

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO6ejHP9Knk

While getting your EIN verification letter should be a simple task, it rarely feels that way in practice. As a UK-based founder, you're likely to run into some unique frustrations that can throw a wrench in your plans. Knowing what to expect—and how to handle it—can save you a world of headaches.

The biggest test of patience? Just getting someone at the IRS on the phone. Their hold times are legendary. When thousands of other businesses are calling every day, it's not uncommon to spend an hour or more stuck in a queue. A little strategy here goes a very long way.

Timing Your Call to the IRS

To beat the crowds, timing is everything. The IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line gets slammed on Mondays and during US lunchtime hours.

Based on our experience helping countless founders, we've found the best windows to call from the UK are:

• Early Afternoon GMT (7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. ET): Jump on the line right as they open. You’ll often get through much faster.

• Late Afternoon GMT (3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET): Call volume tends to drop off as their business day winds down.

Making this small adjustment can be the difference between a ten-minute call and an hour-long wait.

Sometimes, you’ll finally get through only to find the agent on the other end seems confused by a request from a non-resident. It happens. They might not be familiar with foreign-owned LLCs or C-Corps. If you sense any hesitation, just stay calm and be clear. Tell them you are the "responsible party" for a US-registered company and simply need a 147C Letter faxed. Using that specific language usually cuts right through the confusion.

Correcting Your Business Address with the IRS

What if you find out the IRS has the wrong address on file? This is a big deal. Any mismatch can create real problems with banks, state agencies, and other official partners. Unfortunately, you can't just fix this with a quick phone call.

To update your details, you have to file Form 8822-B, Change of Address or Responsible Party — Business. This is a paper form you’ll need to mail in. It's crucial to get this done the moment you spot an error so all future correspondence ends up where it should.

Insider Tip: Always file Form 8822-B before you request documents by mail. Otherwise, your letter will go to the old, wrong address, and you’ll have to start the whole process over.

Authorizing Someone to Call on Your Behalf

Many UK founders understandably want to offload this task to an accountant or a formation service like Set Up Stateside. It's a smart way to save time, but the IRS won't speak to just anyone about your company.

For a third party to request your EIN verification letter, a Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, must already be on file with the IRS. This form is what legally allows a designated professional to act on your company's behalf. If you try to have someone call for you without it, the IRS agent will shut them down immediately. It's a security measure with no workarounds.

Avoiding Scams and Unnecessary Fees

A quick search for "EIN verification letter" will bring up a minefield of third-party services offering to get the letter for you—for a hefty price. Please be careful. Requesting a 147C Letter directly from the IRS is 100% free.

These questionable sites often charge anywhere from $50 to $200 for something you can do yourself in a single phone call. They're designed to prey on the confusion of new entrepreneurs.

Here are the red flags to watch for:

• Websites that look official but aren't on the domain.

• Services charging a fee just to call the IRS for you (which they can't do without a proper Form 2848).

• Any promise of an "instant download." It’s impossible—the letter can only come from the IRS via fax, mail, or an authorized online account.

Protecting your business starts with knowing the process. By understanding these common roadblocks, you can get your EIN verification letter with confidence, avoiding needless delays and costs.

Putting Your EIN Verification Letter to Work

Alright, you’ve got your EIN verification letter—either the original CP-575 or a fresh Letter 147C. This piece of paper is far more than just IRS bureaucracy; it’s your golden ticket into the U.S. financial ecosystem. Its most immediate and vital role? Opening your U.S. business bank account.

Without this letter, your U.S. expansion grinds to a halt before it even begins. Banks see it as the definitive proof of your company's identity and good standing with the IRS. It's often the very first thing they ask for, and having it ready to go will make the entire process remarkably smoother.

Opening Your US Bank Account

When you apply for an account with a bank like Mercury or another U.S. financial institution, they'll ask for a digital copy of this letter. They're not just glancing at it; they are meticulously checking two key details against your business formation documents.

Here's what they’re looking for:

• The Official Business Name: The bank will cross-reference the name printed at the top of the letter with what's on your Articles of Incorporation or Organization. Any mismatch, even a tiny one, can bring everything to a screeching halt.

• The Nine-Digit EIN: They will verify that the number on the letter is valid and officially assigned to your business.

Once the bank confirms these details match up, they can move forward with your account. This is the moment you can finally start accepting U.S. payments, managing expenses, and building a financial presence in the States. For a deep dive into what this involves, check out our complete guide on opening a U.S. bank account online for non-residents.

A Real-World Scenario: We worked with a UK-based e-commerce client whose bank application was initially denied. The problem? The legal suffix "LLC" was missing from the business name the IRS had on file. We helped them get it corrected, request an updated 147C, and resubmit. With the corrected letter in hand, their application was approved in less than 24 hours.

Setting Up Payment Processors and Financial Tools

The letter’s usefulness doesn't stop with the bank. It's absolutely essential for plugging into the financial technology that drives modern business.

Big players like Stripe and PayPal will ask for your EIN during their onboarding process to comply with U.S. tax reporting laws. They need to verify your business’s tax status before they let you process a single dollar from American customers. Sending them a copy of your letter confirms your details and gets your account approved much faster.

Beyond payments, think about your accounting setup. As you connect your shiny new U.S. bank account to software like QuickBooks or Xero, you’ll use your EIN to establish the business profile. This ensures all your bookkeeping is tied to your official tax identity from day one—something your accountant will thank you for later.

Your Launchpad for US Compliance and Growth

Think of your EIN verification letter as the foundation upon which all your future compliance activities are built. You'll need it again and again as your business grows.

With this letter, you can now:

• Register for State Taxes: If your sales in certain states hit a specific threshold (known as "sales tax nexus"), you'll need your federal EIN to register with that state's department of revenue.

• Hire and Set Up Payroll: Ready to bring on U.S.-based employees or contractors? You can't do it without an EIN. It’s required for registering for payroll taxes and using platforms like Gusto.

• Prepare Annual Tax Filings: Your EIN is the main identifier on all federal and state tax returns. The verification letter is the source of truth your accountant will use to ensure every filing is spot-on.

This single document is the catalyst that turns your U.S. entity from an idea on paper into a fully functioning business, ready to operate and thrive in the American market.

Questions We Hear All the Time from UK Founders

Setting up a US business from the UK brings its own unique set of challenges and questions. When it comes to the EIN verification letter, a few specific concerns pop up constantly. Here are the straight answers to the most common queries we get from British founders.

Can I Have My Accountant Call the IRS to Get a 147C Letter?

Absolutely, but there’s a catch. Your accountant or another representative can call on your behalf, but only if a signed Form 2848, Power of Attorney, is already on file with the IRS.

This form is the official green light that authorizes a professional—like your accountant or a formation service—to talk to the IRS about your company. Many UK founders go this route to save themselves the headache and time of making the call. It's a standard part of what any good US expansion service should offer.

How Long Is the EIN Verification Letter Actually Good For?

Here's some good news: it never expires. Your Employer Identification Number is assigned to your business for life, and the letter itself (whether it's the original CP-575 or a replacement 147C) is just the official proof of that number.

So, as long as your company’s legal name and other core details haven’t changed, you can use a letter that’s years old for opening a bank account or any other verification need. You only need a new one if you've lost the original or officially changed your business details with the IRS.

Our Pro Tip: Your EIN is permanent, and so is your verification letter's validity. Save a digital copy somewhere secure. That way, you’ll always have it ready to go without ever worrying about an expiration date.

I Got My EIN Instantly, So Why Is the Letter Taking Forever?

This is a classic point of confusion, and it’s understandably frustrating. When you or a service applies for your EIN, the nine-digit number itself is often generated right away. The problem is that the IRS system that mails the official documents is a completely separate—and much slower—beast.

The IRS prints and sends out the CP-575 notices in batches, not in real-time. For international mail heading to the UK, that process can easily drag on for 8-10 weeks. This massive delay is exactly why knowing how to request a 147C Letter by phone or fax is such a game-changer for non-resident founders who need to get a bank account open and start doing business.

What if My Company Name on the Letter Isn't Quite Right?

You need to fix this—immediately. Even a tiny mistake, like a missing "Ltd." or a small typo, can create huge problems with banks and payment processors. They need the name on your EIN letter to match your legal formation documents perfectly.

To get it corrected, you'll have to send a letter to the IRS explaining the error. You’ll also need to include a copy of your official formation document (like your Articles of Incorporation) that shows the correct legal name. Don't skip this; getting the names to match is non-negotiable for banking, compliance, and filing taxes.

---

Dealing with IRS procedures from the other side of the Atlantic can feel overwhelming. At Set Up Stateside, we take care of these exact details for UK founders every single day, making sure your U.S. launch is smooth and correct from day one. Learn how we can manage your U.S. formation, accounting, and tax needs.