A CP575 is an IRS notice that confirms your Employer Identification Number (EIN). An EIN is the nine-digit federal tax ID number used by businesses, partnerships, corporations, trusts, estates and many other organizations. There is nothing to pay and nothing to reply to. The notice matters because banks, lenders, payroll companies and other businesses often ask for written proof of your EIN, and this is one of the ways to provide it.
Why you got a CP575
There are two versions you may come across:
- The original EIN assignment notice (CP575A through CP575J). The IRS calls this series the Notice of New Employer Identification Number. It is issued when an EIN is first assigned. The IRS says these originals cannot be duplicated or recreated.
- The digital CP575, Employer Identification Number Verification Notice. The IRS now offers this through Business Tax Account, its online account for businesses. It's available only there, and you sign in to download it under Tax Records. The IRS says it can be used as a substitute for the original CP575A-J series and for Letter 147C, EIN Previously Assigned.
If you applied for your EIN online, the IRS says to print the EIN confirmation letter at the end of the application for your records.
What the CP575 says
The notice shows your business name and EIN as the IRS has them. Check:
- The legal name exactly matches your formation documents and the name you'll use on tax returns.
- The EIN is the one you're using with your bank, payroll provider and state agencies.
- The address is current.
What to do
- Keep the notice in your permanent records. Store a digital copy and a paper copy.
- Make several copies, since you may need them whenever someone asks you to verify your EIN, for example when opening a business bank account.
- Use your EIN on everything you send to the IRS and the Social Security Administration about your business.
- Keep your information current. Use Form 8822-B, Change of Address or Responsible Party – Business, to change your mailing or location address or the responsible party on file.
The IRS says changes to the responsible party (the person who controls the entity and its assets) must be reported within 60 days, using Form 8822-B. You don't need a new EIN just to change your business name, address or responsible party.
How to get the digital CP575
Business Tax Account is available for several kinds of filers, including sole proprietors who have an EIN and file Schedule C or Schedule F, partnerships, S corporations, C corporations and some other entities, each with its own access rules. The IRS notes that it isn't yet available for single-member LLCs that file as sole proprietors on Schedule C or Schedule F. Once signed in, look for the EIN verification notice under Tax Records.
If you can't use Business Tax Account
You can still get written confirmation by calling the IRS business and specialty tax line at 800-829-4933 and requesting Letter 147C, EIN Previously Assigned. The IRS says it will verify your identity and can give the number over the phone if you're authorized to receive it.
If you lost your EIN
The IRS suggests these steps to find a missing EIN:
- Look at the notice the IRS issued when you applied (your original CP575).
- Ask the bank where your business account is.
- Check with agencies where you applied for state or local licenses.
- Look at past business tax returns.
If you still can't find it, call 800-829-4933, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time (Alaska and Hawaii follow Pacific time).
What happens if you ignore it
Nothing bad happens if you just file it away. The real risk is not being able to find it later when a bank, lender or customer asks for proof of your EIN, or using a business name that doesn't match IRS records. Mismatches between names and numbers can cause problems on information returns, such as the CP2100 backup withholding notices payers receive.
Is this notice real?
The IRS never charges a fee for an EIN, and it warns about websites that do. A real CP575 doesn't ask for payment. If you got an EIN notice you didn't expect, it could be a sign of business identity theft. Call the IRS at 800-829-4933 to check, and see our IRS scams guide and tax identity theft guide. Businesses report identity theft on Form 14039-B.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a copy of my original CP575?
No. The IRS says the original CP575A-J notices can't be duplicated or recreated. Instead, download the digital CP575 from Business Tax Account or request Letter 147C.
Is the digital CP575 the same as Letter 147C?
The IRS says the digital CP575 is the equivalent of Letter 147C and is accepted by banks and other institutions as written confirmation of an entity's EIN.
How do I get an EIN in the first place?
You can apply online through the IRS for free if your business is formed in the U.S. or a U.S. territory and the responsible party has an SSN or ITIN. If you're forming a corporation or LLC, the IRS says to form it with your state first. You can apply for only one EIN per responsible party per day. Other options are phone, fax or mail. See our small business owners hub.
I have two EINs. Which one do I use?
A business entity should have only one EIN. If you have more than one and aren't sure which to use, the IRS says to call 800-829-4933 and it will tell you which number to use.
Can I cancel an EIN I no longer need?
The IRS says it can't cancel an EIN, but it can deactivate it.
Sources
IRSV.com is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the IRS. This page is general information, not tax or legal advice. Rules change; confirm details on IRS.gov or with a tax professional. Found an error? Tell us.