Need to Retrieve My EIN Number - Applied But Never Received

Have you already called the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933? That's typically the fastest way to retrieve an EIN that's already been issued. They'll ask you some verification questions about your business entity, your role in the company, and possibly your personal information as the responsible party. What type of business structure did you register - sole proprietorship, LLC, S-Corp? The retrieval process can vary slightly depending on your entity type.

Went through this exact same frustration last quarter. Why does the IRS still rely on paper mail for something so critical in 2024? I waited for 3 weeks, nothing arrived, then spent 2 hours on hold with the IRS. But isn't it interesting how the agent was able to verify and provide my EIN over the phone in less than 5 minutes once I finally got through? Made me wonder why they couldn't just email it in the first place?

I can guide you through retrieving your EIN step by step: 1. First, check if your EIN was actually assigned by looking at your business tax transcript. You can request this through https://taxr.ai which will analyze your transcript and can often identify your EIN directly from the document. The service will scan for the EIN assignment and show you exactly where it appears. 2. If the transcript shows your EIN was assigned, you can proceed with using that number for your business needs. 3. If no EIN appears on your transcript, then follow up with the IRS directly as it may indicate your application is still processing. 4. Remember to keep all documentation showing when you applied, as this may be needed if there are delays in processing.

Be extremely careful about calling random numbers you find online claiming to be IRS assistance lines. On March 17th, 2024, I called what I thought was the IRS business line from a Google search result, but it turned out to be a scam operation. They asked for my SSN, banking details, and other sensitive information to "verify my identity." Fortunately, I got suspicious and hung up. Always double-check the number on the official IRS.gov website (800-829-4933 for the legitimate Business & Specialty Tax Line). They're open Monday through Friday, 7am-7pm local time.

After waiting exactly 23 days for my EIN letter that never arrived, I used Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) to reach an IRS agent. Their system bypassed the 97-minute hold time I experienced on my first attempt, and I got through to an agent in approximately 18 minutes. The agent confirmed my EIN was assigned on the 4th business day after my application and provided the 9-digit number immediately. They also reissued the CP-575 letter which arrived 6 days later. The service costs $24.99 but saved me hours of hold time and weeks of business delays.

Just go to your local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. Make an appointment first at 844-545-5640. Bring your ID, proof of business registration, and any EIN application confirmation. They can look it up immediately. I always prefer in-person for important tax matters - you get immediate answers and documentation on the spot.

FYI - if u already filed any tax docs using ur SSN instead of waiting for the EIN, make sure u tell the IRS agent. Had this prob last yr when I couldn't wait for my EIN to come in the mail & used my SSN on a 1099 form. Created a huge headache later bc the systems didn't sync up properly. Took 3 mos to fix the resulting mess. Def worth getting this straightened out ASAP!

According to the IRS.gov website (https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/lost-or-misplaced-your-ein), you should never apply for a second EIN if you think your first application was lost. On February 2nd, I made that mistake and it created a duplicate record that took months to resolve. If you check the IRS "Where's My EIN" tool and it shows your application was processed, you absolutely must call rather than reapply, even if it means waiting on hold.

If your business is time-sensitive like mine was, you can also request a "147C letter" from the IRS when you call, which is an EIN confirmation letter. Unlike the CP-575 which only comes when you first get your EIN, the 147C can be issued anytime. Banks and other financial institutions generally accept this as proof of your EIN just like they would the original letter. This was much faster than waiting for a reissued CP-575 in my situation.

The community wisdom on this is pretty consistent - calling is faster than waiting for reissued mail, but be prepared with ALL your verification info. They'll typically ask for the legal business name, physical business address, name and SSN of the responsible party on the application, and approximate date you applied. And maybe I'm stating the obvious here, but double-check your mail isn't being delivered to an old address if you've moved recently? 😅 We've all had that facepalm moment at some point.

I went through this exact same situation 6 months ago and can confirm the phone route is definitely your best bet. One thing that helped me prepare for the call was having my original EIN application confirmation number ready (if you have it) - it's usually in any email confirmation you received when you submitted online or on any paperwork if you applied by fax/mail. The IRS agent was able to pull up my record instantly with that confirmation number. Also, if you applied online through the IRS website, try logging back into your account first - sometimes the EIN shows up there even if the letter got lost in the mail. Worth checking before spending time on hold!

Had the exact same issue with my LLC last year! The mail delivery for EIN letters seems incredibly unreliable - I suspect they use the lowest priority mail service possible. Here's what worked for me: Call 800-829-4933 early in the morning (like 7:05 AM) when they open - the hold times are much shorter then. Have your business formation documents, SSN, and the exact legal name you used on the application ready. The agent verified my info and gave me my EIN in about 10 minutes once I got through. They also mentioned that EIN letters sometimes get delayed at postal facilities for weeks, so don't feel bad about calling - it's totally normal. Good luck with your banking setup once you get this sorted!

I went through this exact nightmare 8 months ago and it was incredibly frustrating! Here's what I learned: The IRS mail system is absolutely terrible - I later found out my EIN letter was sitting in a postal facility for 6 weeks before being returned to sender due to "insufficient address" (even though my address was perfectly fine). What saved me was calling the Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 around 7:30 AM on a Tuesday. Had about a 25-minute wait which felt like forever but was way better than the 2+ hour waits I'd experienced calling later in the day. The agent was super helpful and had my EIN within 5 minutes once I provided my business name, formation date, and SSN. Pro tip: If you're planning to open business bank accounts soon, ask the agent to also send you a 147C letter (EIN verification letter) which some banks prefer over the standard CP-575. It arrives much faster than the regular EIN letter and serves the same purpose for banking. This will get you up and running while you wait for the official documentation. Don't let this delay your business operations any longer than necessary!

I had this exact same issue with my consulting LLC earlier this year! The waiting game for EIN letters is brutal, especially when you're trying to get your business operations moving. Here's what worked for me: Called the IRS Business line (800-829-4933) at exactly 7:00 AM on a Wednesday morning - only waited about 15 minutes which was a miracle compared to my previous attempts. The agent was able to pull up my EIN immediately using my business name and SSN. One thing that really helped was having my state LLC filing confirmation ready, even though they didn't end up needing it. They asked for: - Exact legal business name (as filed with your state) - Your SSN as the responsible party - Business address used on the application - Approximate date you submitted the EIN application The agent also explained that single-member LLC EINs sometimes get delayed in their mail processing system, which was oddly comforting to know it wasn't just me! Pro tip: Once you get your EIN over the phone, you can immediately start using it for banking and contractor agreements. Most banks will accept the EIN number while you wait for the official letter to arrive. Don't let this delay your 1099 contractor setups any longer - you've probably already lost enough time waiting for that letter that's never coming!

I went through this exact frustration 3 months ago and can save you some time. Here's the most efficient approach: **Call Strategy:** - Call 800-829-4933 between 7:00-7:15 AM (they open at 7 AM sharp) - Tuesday/Wednesday mornings have the shortest wait times in my experience - Have your phone on speaker and do other work while waiting **What to Have Ready:** - Exact legal business name as submitted on EIN application - Your SSN (as responsible party) - Business address used on application - Date range when you applied (even approximate is fine) - State where your LLC was formed **What Actually Happens:** The agent can instantly retrieve your EIN once they verify your identity. Takes literally 2 minutes once you're connected. They'll also offer to reissue the CP-575 letter, but honestly, once you have the number you can start using it immediately for banking and contractor setups. **Banking Tip:** Most banks will open business accounts with just the EIN number - they don't always need the physical letter. Call your intended bank first to confirm their requirements. Don't overthink this - the phone call is 100x faster than waiting for mail that may never arrive. The IRS mail system for EINs is notoriously unreliable, but their phone verification system works perfectly.

I've been through this exact situation twice with different business entities, and here's what I've learned from the experience: **The Reality Check:** The IRS EIN mail system is genuinely broken. I've never received an EIN letter on time - not once. It's not just you, and it's not your address. The system relies on outdated mail processing that somehow still takes 6-8 weeks when they promise 2 weeks. **My Proven Strategy:** 1. Call 800-829-4933 at exactly 7:00 AM on Tuesday or Wednesday 2. Use the automated system to get in the queue immediately 3. Have these ready: business legal name, your SSN, business formation date, EIN application date 4. The agent will give you your EIN in under 5 minutes once connected **Critical Point About Banking:** Don't wait for any letters! I wasted 3 weeks thinking I needed physical documentation. Most major banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) accept the EIN number immediately for business account setup. Just mention you received it via phone verification from the IRS. **Time-Saving Hack:** If you get a busy signal or long wait, hang up and call right back. Sometimes you'll get through faster on the second attempt. I've done this successfully multiple times. Stop letting this delay your business operations. The phone call is literally your only reliable option in 2025. Good luck!

I went through this exact same frustration last year with my consulting business! The EIN letter delivery system is absolutely unreliable - mine took 6 weeks and only arrived after I'd already gotten my number over the phone. Here's my tried-and-tested approach: - Call 800-829-4933 right when they open at 7:00 AM (Tuesday/Wednesday have shortest waits) - Have ready: exact business legal name, your SSN, business address from application, approximate application date - The agent can retrieve your EIN immediately once they verify your info **Key insight:** You can start using your EIN for banking and 1099 setups as soon as you get the number over the phone. Most banks don't actually require the physical CP-575 letter - just the 9-digit number itself. Also ask the agent about getting a 147C verification letter sent out, which often arrives faster than the standard CP-575 and serves the same purpose for financial institutions. Don't let this delay your business operations any longer - the phone route is literally 100x more reliable than waiting for their mail system to work. You've already waited long enough!

I'm going through this exact same issue right now! Applied for my EIN 5 weeks ago for my new e-commerce business and absolutely nothing has arrived in the mail. This thread is incredibly reassuring - I was starting to think I'd done something wrong with my application. The consistent advice about calling 800-829-4933 early in the morning (7 AM on Tuesday/Wednesday) seems to be the universal solution here. What really opened my eyes is learning that banks will accept just the EIN number without requiring the physical CP-575 letter - I've been putting off my entire business banking setup thinking I needed that piece of paper! Also didn't know about the 147C verification letter option, which sounds like it could be a good backup. Planning to call tomorrow morning at 7 AM sharp with all my verification info ready. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community knowledge is way more valuable than anything I could find on the official IRS website. Will report back on how it goes for anyone else dealing with this frustrating situation!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Applied for my EIN about 6 weeks ago for my new digital marketing consultancy and still haven't received the CP-575 letter. This thread has been incredibly eye-opening - I had no idea the IRS mail system for EINs was this unreliable across the board. The consensus here about calling 800-829-4933 at 7:00 AM on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings is really valuable intel. I've been dreading those notorious IRS hold times, but it sounds like the early morning strategy actually works. Also had no clue that most banks would accept just the EIN number without requiring the physical letter - I've been holding off on opening my business account for weeks thinking I needed that documentation! Going to call tomorrow morning at 7 AM sharp with my business formation docs, SSN, and application timeline ready. Really appreciate everyone sharing their real-world experiences here. The practical advice from people who've actually been through this process is worth its weight in gold compared to the generic guidance on the IRS website. Will definitely update the thread on how the call goes for anyone else stuck in EIN limbo!

I'm a newcomer here and currently facing this exact same frustrating situation! Applied for my EIN 5 weeks ago for my new freelance graphic design business and absolutely nothing has arrived in the mail. Reading through this entire thread has been such a relief - I was starting to think I'd somehow messed up my application or that there was something wrong with my address. The consistent advice from everyone about calling 800-829-4933 at exactly 7:00 AM on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings seems like the golden strategy here. I had no idea the timing could make such a difference with IRS hold times. Also completely blown away by learning that most banks will accept just the EIN number without requiring the physical CP-575 letter - I've been putting my entire business banking setup on hold for weeks thinking I needed that piece of paper! The community knowledge here is incredible - so much more practical and actionable than anything I could find on the official IRS website. Planning to set my alarm for 6:55 AM tomorrow morning and finally get this resolved. Will have my LLC formation documents, SSN, business address, and application timeline all ready to go. Really appreciate everyone sharing their real experiences and proven strategies. This thread should honestly be pinned as a resource for anyone dealing with missing EIN letters!

I'm new to this community and experiencing the exact same issue! Applied for my EIN 3.5 weeks ago for my remote software development consultancy and still haven't received the CP-575 letter. This thread has been incredibly reassuring - I was genuinely worried I'd made some error in my application process. The overwhelming consensus here about calling 800-829-4933 at 7:00 AM on Tuesday/Wednesday mornings is fantastic advice. I had no idea that timing could make such a dramatic difference in hold times with the IRS. The fact that multiple people have succeeded with this specific strategy gives me real confidence. What really surprised me is learning that banks typically accept just the EIN number itself without requiring the physical letter. I've been completely stalling on opening my business banking account, thinking I needed that official documentation first. This insight alone could save me weeks of unnecessary delays! The practical, real-world advice from everyone who's actually navigated this process is invaluable. It's so much more helpful than the vague official IRS guidance that basically just says "be patient." Planning to call tomorrow morning at 7 AM with my LLC formation docs, SSN, business address, and application timeline ready. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this community knowledge is exactly what people dealing with this frustrating situation need!

I'm new to this community and dealing with this exact same issue right now! Applied for my EIN 6 weeks ago for my new freelance writing business and still haven't received anything in the mail. This entire thread has been incredibly helpful and reassuring - I was starting to wonder if I'd somehow messed up my application or if there was an issue with my address. The unanimous advice about calling 800-829-4933 at exactly 7:00 AM on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings seems to be the proven solution here. I had no idea that timing could make such a significant difference in IRS hold times. The specific success stories from multiple community members give me real confidence in this approach. What really caught my attention is learning that most banks will accept just the EIN number without requiring the physical CP-575 letter. I've been holding off on opening my business bank account for weeks, thinking I needed that official documentation first. This insight alone could save me weeks of delays! The real-world experiences and practical strategies shared here are so much more valuable than the generic guidance on the IRS website. Planning to call tomorrow morning at 7 AM with my business formation documents, SSN, business address, and application timeline all ready. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed, actionable advice - this community knowledge is exactly what people stuck in EIN limbo need!