EIN confirmation

[mollyanna58]

I am trying to open a new bank account for my family's small business.  The bank says federal law requires they get proof of the federal tax ID number.  I cannot find the original issuance letter, from when the business was incorporated in 1970.  

I was on hold with the IRS for over two hours yesterday, to request a confirmation letter.  After two hours, the message changed to "unable to handle your request; try calling later or on the next business day".  I have gotten the same message twice today.

I can't find a place on the IRS website to request a confirmation letter.  The bank rep says other customers have been able to get the information online and emailed to them but she couldn't find where to request it either.  

Does anyone know where on the irs.gov website I can request proof of our EIN?

[TheOtherMe]

IRS website:  www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/lost-or-misplaced-your-ein


If you previously applied for and received an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for your business, but have since misplaced it, try any or all of the following actions to locate the number:



Find the computer-generated notice that was issued by the IRS when you applied for your EIN. This notice is issued as a confirmation of your application for, and receipt of an EIN.

If you used your EIN to open a bank account, or apply for any type of state or local license, you should contact the bank or agency to secure your EIN.

Find a previously filed tax return for your existing entity (if you have filed a return) for which you have your lost or misplaced EIN. Your previously filed return should be notated with your EIN.

Ask the IRS to search for your EIN by calling the Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. The hours of operation are 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday. An assistor will ask you for identifying information and provide the number to you over the telephone, as long as you are a person who is authorized to receive it. Examples of an authorized person include, but are not limited to, a sole proprietor, a partner in a partnership, a corporate officer, a trustee of a trust, or an executor of an estate.


This is all I know.  I know I have to get one of those fancy government ID's to get my pension statements starting today.  I don't know if getting one of those would help or not.

You might try the previous bank or use previous tax returns.  

Here is a link provided by another website.


www.upcounsel.com/copy-of-ein-letter-from-irs#:~:text=If%20your%20contact%20information%20is,letter%20through%20mail%20or%20fax.

[mollyanna58]

May 26, 2022 15:43:28 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

IRS website:  www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/lost-or-misplaced-your-ein


If you previously applied for and received an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for your business, but have since misplaced it, try any or all of the following actions to locate the number:



Find the computer-generated notice that was issued by the IRS when you applied for your EIN. This notice is issued as a confirmation of your application for, and receipt of an EIN.




This is all I know.  I know I have to get one of those fancy government ID's to get my pension statements starting today.  I don't know if getting one of those would help or not.

You might try the previous bank or use previous tax returns.  

Here is a link provided by another website.


www.upcounsel.com/copy-of-ein-letter-from-irs#:~:text=If%20your%20contact%20information%20is,letter%20through%20mail%20or%20fax.

Thanks.  I had sent the new bank a copy of a letter we got from the IRS in 1995 which had the number on it, but that wasn't good enough.  All our other bank accounts were opened years ago, before documentation was required. 

[bean29]

You could also try your state tax department.  They probably track the Federal EIN along with the state assigned number.  The bank might accept a letter from the state.

[mollyanna58]

I was finally able to get through to the IRS today, and they will issue the proof I need.