Vault Guardian renewal education
I lost my EIN — how do I recover it?
The IRS won't email your EIN back to you. But you don't need to apply for a new one — here's how to find yours right now.
The IRS won't email your EIN back to you. But you don't need to apply for a new one — here's how to find yours right now.
4 places your EIN is stored
1. The IRS CP 575 confirmation letter — sent when you first got your EIN. Check your business paperwork or IRS mail.
2. Prior year's business tax return (Form 1065, 1120, 1120-S, or Schedule C).
3. Your business bank account paperwork — the bank required your EIN to open the account.
4. Any 1099s or W-2s issued by the business.
Still can't find it? Call the IRS
Call the Business & Specialty Tax Line: 800-829-4933, Monday–Friday 7am–7pm local time.
You'll need to answer identifying questions — legal business name, address, and details from prior filings. They'll give you the EIN verbally over the phone. Only the authorized representative on file can retrieve it.
Request a new confirmation (147C letter)
Ask the IRS agent to send a Letter 147C — the official replacement for the lost CP 575. It arrives by mail or fax within 4–6 weeks.
Banks and vendors accept the 147C anywhere they'd accept the original CP 575.
Scan your CP 575 the day you get it and store it in a secure vault. VaultGuardian's Business Vault is designed for exactly this — EIN letters, Articles, and Operating Agreements, all in one place.
Download Vault Guardian to track renewals at 90, 60, and 30 days.