An EIN business name mismatch can stop you from opening a bank account, receiving payments, filing a business tax return, completing a W-9, setting up payroll, or passing a payment processor’s verification review.
The problem usually appears when the legal business name connected to your Employer Identification Number does not exactly match the name entered on an application, tax form, banking record, or verification request. Even a missing entity ending, such as “LLC” or “Inc.,” can cause a third party to question whether the EIN belongs to your business.
Before you send a correction letter, determine whether the IRS record is wrong, the requesting company’s record is wrong, or you are accidentally using a trade name instead of your legal entity name. You may also need official proof of your EIN, which you can obtain by following the steps in How to Get an EIN Verification Letter From the IRS.
This guide shows you how to identify the source of the mismatch, prepare supporting documents, write an EIN business name mismatch letter, and follow up with the IRS, your bank, or another requesting organization.
Find the Right EIN Business Name Mismatch Solution
Answer these seven questions to identify the likely source of your mismatch and the letter or document you may need.
Quick Answer: How Do You Fix an EIN Business Name Mismatch?
To correct an EIN business name mismatch, you should:
- Compare your legal formation documents with your EIN confirmation records.
- Confirm that you are using the correct nine-digit EIN.
- Determine whether the name on the IRS account is incorrect or outdated.
- Check whether you entered a DBA instead of the legal business name.
- Send a signed correction or business name change letter when required.
- Include copies of relevant supporting documents.
- Ask the IRS to send written acknowledgment of the correction.
- Obtain updated EIN verification after the correction is processed.
- Provide the corrected documentation to your bank, payroll provider, lender, or payment processor.
The IRS generally does not require you to obtain a new EIN merely because you changed your business name. A new EIN is generally connected to certain ownership or entity-structure changes rather than a simple name or address change.
Choose Your EIN Mismatch Letter Template Fast
Select the situation that best matches your problem. The complete template will appear directly below your selection.
IRS Business Name Correction Letter
[Correct Legal Business Name]
[Business Mailing Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Telephone Number]
[Email Address]
[Date]
Internal Revenue Service
[Address Where You File the Applicable Business Tax Return]
Subject: Request to Correct Business Name Associated With EIN [XX-XXXXXXX]
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to request a correction to the business name associated with Employer Identification Number [XX-XXXXXXX].
The business name currently shown in the IRS record is:
[Incorrect Business Name]
The correct legal business name is:
[Correct Legal Business Name]
The correct name appears on the enclosed [Articles of Organization, Articles of Incorporation, partnership agreement, state registration, or other document]. The mismatch appears to have resulted from [briefly explain the spelling error, missing entity ending, DBA entry, or other mistake].
Please update the IRS account associated with EIN [XX-XXXXXXX] so that the correct legal business name appears in your records.
This request does not involve a change in business ownership or federal tax structure. It is a request to correct the name associated with the existing EIN.
Please send written acknowledgment confirming that the correction has been completed. You may contact me at [Telephone Number] if additional information is needed.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Printed Name]
[Title or Authorized Capacity]
[Correct Legal Business Name]
Enclosures:
- Copy of EIN verification
- Copy of formation or registration document
- Copy of the mismatch notice, if available
IRS Legal Business Name Change Letter
[New Legal Business Name]
[Business Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Telephone Number]
[Date]
Internal Revenue Service
[Address Where You Filed Your Most Recent Business Tax Return]
Subject: Business Name Change for EIN [XX-XXXXXXX]
To Whom It May Concern:
Please update the legal business name associated with Employer Identification Number [XX-XXXXXXX].
The former legal business name was:
[Former Legal Business Name]
The new legal business name is:
[New Legal Business Name]
The name change became effective on [Effective Date] and was approved by [State Agency or Registering Authority]. A copy of the approved amendment, certificate, or registration document is enclosed.
The ownership and federal tax classification of the business have not changed. The business will continue to use EIN [XX-XXXXXXX].
Please update your records and send written acknowledgment of the completed business name change to the address listed above.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Printed Name]
[Title]
[New Legal Business Name]
Enclosures:
- Approved business name change document
- Copy of EIN verification
- Updated state registration
Bank or Payment Processor Mismatch Letter
[Correct Legal Business Name]
[Business Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Telephone Number]
[Email Address]
[Date]
[Bank or Company Name]
[Department Name]
[Company Address]
Subject: Request to Correct EIN and Business Name Verification Mismatch
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing regarding the business name and EIN mismatch reported for account or application number [Account or Application Number].
The correct business information is:
- Legal business name: [Correct Legal Business Name]
- Employer Identification Number: [XX-XXXXXXX]
- Business address: [Business Address]
- Entity type: [LLC, Corporation, Partnership, or Sole Proprietorship]
The name [DBA, Former Name, or Incorrect Name] may have appeared in your system because it is [a trade name, former name, or incorrect entry]. The legal name associated with the EIN is [Correct Legal Business Name].
I have enclosed documents showing the correct legal business name and EIN, including [list the enclosed documents].
Please update your records and complete the verification review using the correct legal business name and EIN. Please confirm when the correction has been completed or advise me if additional documentation is required.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Printed Name]
[Title]
[Correct Legal Business Name]
W-9 or Vendor EIN Mismatch Clarification Letter
[Correct Legal Business Name]
[Business Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Telephone Number]
[Date]
[Vendor, Customer, or Payer Name]
[Address]
Subject: Corrected Business Name and EIN Information
To Whom It May Concern:
I am providing corrected taxpayer identification information for [account, vendor number, contract, or payment record].
The correct legal name associated with the Employer Identification Number is:
[Correct Legal Business Name]
The correct EIN is:
[XX-XXXXXXX]
The name [DBA or Incorrect Name] may have appeared on an earlier document. That name is [a trade name, former name, or incorrect entry] and should not replace the legal business name associated with the EIN.
An updated Form W-9 and supporting EIN documentation are enclosed. Please update your payment and tax-reporting records before preparing any future information returns.
Please contact me at [Telephone Number] if additional information is required.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Printed Name]
[Title]
Enclosures:
- Updated Form W-9
- Copy of EIN verification
- Formation or business registration document
Tax Return EIN and Name-Control Correction Request
Subject: Please Review EIN and Business Name Mismatch
Dear [Tax Preparer or Payroll Representative],
My [business tax return, payroll filing, or electronic submission] was rejected or flagged because the business name did not match the EIN or IRS name control.
Please review the following information before resubmitting the filing:
- Legal business name: [Correct Legal Business Name]
- EIN: [XX-XXXXXXX]
- Entity type: [Entity Type]
- Name shown on EIN verification: [Name From EIN Document]
- Name entered on the rejected filing: [Name Entered]
Please check the spelling, spacing, entity ending, EIN digits, and applicable IRS name-control rules. I have enclosed or attached my EIN verification and formation documents for comparison.
Please let me know whether the filing can be corrected and resubmitted or whether I need to contact the IRS before another submission is made.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Title]
[Business Name]
[Telephone Number]
What Is an EIN Business Name Mismatch?
An EIN business name mismatch occurs when a business name submitted with an EIN does not match the name associated with that EIN in the IRS Business Master File or in the records of an organization attempting to verify the number.
Your EIN is a nine-digit federal tax identification number assigned to your business or other qualifying entity. The information submitted on Form SS-4 establishes the business tax account associated with that number.
A mismatch may involve:
- Your legal business name
- Your DBA or trade name
- Your entity suffix
- Your EIN
- Your IRS name control
- Your responsible party’s information
- A former business name
- A typographical error
- Punctuation or spacing
- A recently approved business name change
For example, your state documents may show:
Riverstone Property Services LLC
But your bank application may show:
Riverstone Property Service
The missing “s” and “LLC” may cause the bank’s automated verification system to reject the application.
You can learn more about how legal names and trade names relate to different business structures in EIN for DBA, Sole Proprietor, LLC, and Corporation.
Common Reasons Your EIN and Business Name Do Not Match
1. You used your DBA instead of your legal business name
A DBA is the public-facing name under which you conduct business. It is not necessarily the legal name attached to your EIN.
For example:
Legal name: Bradley Business Solutions LLC
DBA: Fast Tax Documents
When a bank asks for the “legal business name,” entering “Fast Tax Documents” may create a mismatch if the EIN is registered under “Bradley Business Solutions LLC.”
Form SS-4 separates the legal name from the trade or DBA name. The IRS instructions generally direct you to enter the entity’s legal name as it appears on the applicable legal document and place a different trade name on the separate trade-name line.
2. You omitted the entity ending
Your state-approved name may include an entity ending such as:
- LLC
- L.L.C.
- Inc.
- Incorporated
- Corporation
- Corp.
- LP
- LLP
- PC
If your Articles of Organization show “Anderson Home Repair LLC,” do not shorten the legal name to “Anderson Home Repair” when exact matching is required.
3. You entered the wrong name on your EIN application
You may have made a spelling mistake, omitted a word, used an abbreviation, or entered the DBA where the legal name belonged when completing your EIN application.
The IRS instructions for Form SS-4 direct applicants to enter the legal name exactly as it appears on the relevant legal document. For a corporation, that includes the corporate name and applicable entity suffix shown in its charter or formation document.
4. You legally changed your business name
You may have changed your LLC, partnership, corporation, or sole proprietorship name at the state or local level without updating the IRS.
Changing the name with your secretary of state does not automatically guarantee that every IRS, bank, payroll, licensing, or payment-processing record will update at the same time.
5. Your bank or payment processor entered the information incorrectly
The IRS record may be correct, but the third party may have:
- Transposed two EIN digits
- Removed your entity ending
- Used your DBA as the legal name
- Entered your personal name
- Used an old business name
- Added unsupported punctuation
- Used information from an outdated application
In that situation, you may not need to change anything with the IRS. You may only need to provide proof of your correct legal name and EIN.
Use How Do I Prove I Have an EIN Number? to identify documents you can submit as evidence.
6. Your IRS name control does not match
An IRS name control is a four-character identifier derived from the taxpayer’s name. It is used during electronic filing and certain taxpayer identification number matching processes.
For corporations, the IRS generally derives the name control from the first four significant characters of the corporate name, although detailed rules apply to spaces, numbers, punctuation, ampersands, and certain words. When a corporate return is rejected for an EIN/name-control mismatch, the IRS advises you to verify the EIN, review the applicable name-control rules, and contact the e-Help Desk if the rejection continues.
Do not assume that changing capitalization alone will solve a name-control rejection. Review the exact legal name, EIN, entity type, and filing information.
7. Your business structure changed
A name mismatch may be a symptom of a larger entity problem.
For example, you may have:
- Started as a sole proprietor and later formed an LLC
- Converted a partnership into a corporation
- Terminated an old LLC and formed a new entity
- Purchased an existing business
- Combined or separated business entities
Some ownership or structural changes require a new EIN. A simple business name change usually does not.
Before requesting another number, review Do You Need an EIN for Your LLC or Can You Use Your SSN?.
Confirm Your Information With An EIN Confirmation Letter
Before writing a correction letter, collect the documents that show how your business is identified.
Your most useful records may include:
- Articles of Organization
- Articles of Incorporation
- Partnership agreement
- State business registration
- DBA or assumed-name certificate
- Original EIN assignment notice
- Digital CP575 notice
- Letter 147C
- Previously filed federal business tax return
- IRS business correspondence
- Current Form W-9
- Bank account application
- Payment processor rejection notice
- Payroll registration documents
Your original EIN assignment notice may be labeled CP 575 or may have been generated after you completed the online EIN application.
The IRS states that the original CP575A-J notice cannot be duplicated. However, a digital CP575 available through an eligible IRS Business Tax Account can serve as written EIN confirmation and may be accepted by banks and other institutions. Letter 147C may also be requested when replacement EIN verification is needed.
Step 1: Identify Your Correct Legal Business Name
Start with the legal document that created or registered your entity.
If you operate an LLC
Use the name shown on your approved Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation.
If you operate a corporation
Use the name shown on your Articles of Incorporation, corporate charter, or other state formation document.
If you operate a partnership
Use the legal name contained in the partnership agreement and tax records.
If you operate as a sole proprietor
Your personal legal name may be the primary name associated with the EIN, while your business or trade name appears separately.
Do not assume that the name on your website, invoices, storefront, social media account, or business card is the legal name connected to your EIN.
Step 2: Confirm That the EIN Is Correct
An EIN is normally written in this format:
12-3456789
Check each digit carefully. A single incorrect digit will cause a verification failure even when the business name is entered perfectly.
Compare the EIN on:
- Your IRS notice
- Your previous business tax return
- Your payroll account
- Your business bank records
- Your W-9
- Your state tax registration
- The rejection or mismatch notice
Do not submit a second EIN application merely because you cannot locate your original letter. Request replacement verification instead.
You can follow How to Request an EIN Letter From the IRS when you need official documentation.
Step 3: Determine Who Has the Incorrect Information
This is the most important step because it determines where you send your letter.
Send your letter to the IRS when:
- The name on the IRS record is misspelled.
- You entered the wrong legal name on Form SS-4.
- Your business legally changed its name.
- The IRS still shows a former legal name.
- The entity ending is missing or incorrect.
- Your EIN documentation does not match your formation documents.
Send your letter to the bank, lender, or processor when:
- Your IRS documentation is correct.
- Your legal formation documents match your EIN confirmation.
- The third party entered the wrong name or EIN.
- The third party used your DBA instead of your legal name.
- The third party is relying on outdated records.
Contact your tax preparer or software provider when:
- Your electronically filed return was rejected.
- Your EIN is correct, but your name control is not being accepted.
- The business name on the return differs from the IRS record.
- You recently reported a name change on a tax return.
How to Notify the IRS About a Business Name Change
The method you use depends on your business type.
Sole proprietorship
Write to the IRS at the address where you filed your return. Your notification should be signed by you as the owner or by an authorized representative.
Corporation
When filing a current-year corporate return, mark the applicable name-change box on Form 1120 or Form 1120-S.
When you have already filed the current-year return, send a signed written notification to the IRS address where you filed the return. The notification should be signed by a corporate officer.
Partnership
When filing a current-year Form 1065, mark the name-change box on the return.
When you have already filed the current-year return, write to the IRS at the address where you filed the return. A partner should sign the notification.
The IRS also advises you to request an acknowledgment when you want written confirmation that the business name change was processed.
Do not copy an IRS mailing address from an old article or forum post. Use the address associated with your most recently filed return or the current IRS instructions for the return you file.
What to Include in an EIN Business Name Mismatch Letter
Your letter should contain enough information for the recipient to identify the account and understand the requested correction.
Include:
- The date
- Your current legal business name
- Your former or incorrect business name
- Your EIN
- Your business mailing address
- Your physical address, when relevant
- Your entity type
- The date your business was formed
- A concise explanation of the mismatch
- The correct spelling and formatting of the name
- Your requested action
- A request for written confirmation
- Your name and authorized title
- Your signature
- Your telephone number
- A list of enclosed documents
Keep your explanation direct. You do not need to provide a lengthy history of your business unless it is necessary to distinguish between two separate entities.
For additional letter-writing guidance, review The Key Elements of a Business Request Letter.
Sample EIN Business Name Mismatch Letter to the IRS
[Your Legal Business Name]
[Business Mailing Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Telephone Number]
[Email Address]
[Date]
Internal Revenue Service
[Address Where You File the Applicable Business Tax Return]
Subject: Request to Correct Business Name Associated With EIN [XX-XXXXXXX]
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to request a correction to the business name associated with Employer Identification Number [XX-XXXXXXX].
The business name currently shown in the IRS record or EIN documentation is:
[Incorrect Business Name]
The correct legal business name is:
[Correct Legal Business Name]
The correct name appears on the enclosed [Articles of Organization, Articles of Incorporation, partnership agreement, state registration, or other legal document]. The mismatch appears to have resulted from [a spelling error, an omitted entity suffix, the use of a trade name, an application entry error, or another brief explanation].
Please update the IRS business account associated with EIN [XX-XXXXXXX] so that the legal name appears as:
[Correct Legal Business Name]
This request does not involve a change in the ownership or federal tax structure of the business. It is a request to correct or update the business name associated with the existing EIN.
Please send written acknowledgment confirming that the correction has been completed. You may contact me at [Telephone Number] if additional information is required.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
[Your Title or Authorized Capacity]
[Correct Legal Business Name]
Enclosures:
- Copy of EIN confirmation or verification document
- Copy of formation or registration document
- Copy of business name amendment, if applicable
- Copy of mismatch or rejection notice, if applicable
Sample IRS Letter for a Legal Business Name Change
[New Legal Business Name]
[Business Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Telephone Number]
[Date]
Internal Revenue Service
[Address Where You Filed Your Most Recent Business Tax Return]
Subject: Business Name Change for EIN [XX-XXXXXXX]
To Whom It May Concern:
Please update the legal business name associated with Employer Identification Number [XX-XXXXXXX].
The former legal business name was:
[Former Legal Business Name]
The new legal business name is:
[New Legal Business Name]
The name change became effective on [Effective Date] and was approved by [State Agency or Other Registering Authority]. A copy of the approved amendment, certificate, or other supporting document is enclosed.
The ownership and federal tax classification of the business have not changed. The business will continue to use EIN [XX-XXXXXXX].
Please update your records and send written acknowledgment of the completed business name change to the address listed above.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Printed Name]
[Title]
[New Legal Business Name]
Enclosures:
- Approved name-change document
- EIN verification document
- Relevant state registration
- Additional supporting documentation
Sample EIN Mismatch Letter to a Bank or Payment Processor
[Your Legal Business Name]
[Business Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Telephone Number]
[Email Address]
[Date]
[Bank or Company Name]
[Department Name]
[Company Address]
Subject: Request to Correct EIN and Business Name Verification Mismatch
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing regarding the business name and EIN mismatch reported for my account or application number [Account or Application Number].
The correct legal business information is:
Legal business name: [Correct Legal Business Name]
Employer Identification Number: [XX-XXXXXXX]
Business address: [Business Address]
Entity type: [LLC, Corporation, Partnership, or Sole Proprietorship]
The name “[DBA or Incorrect Name]” may have appeared in your system because it is [the business trade name, a former name, or an incorrect entry]. The legal name associated with the EIN is “[Correct Legal Business Name].”
I have enclosed documents showing the correct legal business name and EIN, including [EIN confirmation letter, Letter 147C, formation document, tax return, DBA certificate, or other document].
Please update your records and complete the verification review using the correct legal business name and EIN. Please confirm when the correction has been completed or advise me if you need additional documentation.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Printed Name]
[Title]
[Correct Legal Business Name]
Supporting Documents to Include
Attach copies rather than original documents unless the recipient specifically requires an original.
Depending on your situation, include:
- CP 575 EIN assignment notice
- Digital CP575 notice
- Letter 147C
- Articles of Organization
- Articles of Incorporation
- Certificate of Formation
- Certificate of Amendment
- Partnership agreement
- DBA certificate
- State business registration
- Recently filed business tax return
- IRS notice showing the EIN
- Form W-9
- Bank or processor mismatch notice
- Government-issued identification when requested by an authorized institution
A bank may require both your EIN documentation and your entity formation records. Use Open a Business Bank Account: Document Checklist to prepare a complete document package.
Do You Need Form 8822-B for a Business Name Mismatch?
Form 8822-B is generally used to report changes to your business mailing address, business location, or responsible party.
It is not the standard form for reporting a business name change. The IRS directs businesses to follow the applicable business-name-change procedures based on their entity type.
The IRS also requires changes to the responsible party to be reported within 60 days.
You may need both a signed name-change letter and Form 8822-B when you changed:
- Your legal business name
- Your mailing address
- Your physical business location
- Your responsible party
Treat each change separately and use the correct procedure for each one.
Should You Apply for a New EIN?
Do not apply for a new EIN solely to overcome a spelling error, DBA mismatch, or ordinary business name change.
The IRS generally states that you do not need a new EIN when you only change your business name or address. However, certain ownership and structural changes may require a new number.
You may need a new EIN when you:
- Incorporate a sole proprietorship
- Change from a sole proprietorship to a partnership
- Terminate one entity and form a new entity
- Create a new corporation
- End one partnership and begin another
- Make another qualifying ownership or structural change
Applying for another EIN without determining whether one is required can create duplicate records and additional verification problems.
When a new EIN is appropriate, follow How to Apply for an EIN Number With the IRS Online.
Remember that EIN issuance is generally limited to one EIN per responsible party per day across all application methods. You can review The One EIN Per Day Rule before submitting applications for multiple entities.
How to Request Letter 147C
When your original EIN notice is unavailable, you may request Letter 147C as verification of an EIN that was previously assigned.
Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at:
800-829-4933
The regular hours listed by the IRS are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in your local time. Alaska and Hawaii follow Pacific time.
Be prepared to verify:
- Your legal business name
- Your EIN, when known
- Your business address
- Your name
- Your role or title
- Your connection to the business
- Information from the original EIN application
Only an authorized individual or properly authorized representative should request confidential EIN account information.
For a complete preparation guide, use How Long Does It Take to Get an EIN Verification Letter?.
What to Do After the IRS Corrects the Name
Correcting the IRS record is only one part of the process. You should also update every organization that uses your legal business name and EIN.
Review your records with:
- Your bank
- Your business credit card issuer
- Your payroll provider
- Your payment processor
- Your accounting software
- Your state tax agency
- Your local licensing authority
- Your insurance provider
- Your vendors
- Your lenders
- Your customers
- Your retirement-plan administrator
- Your registered agent
- Your online marketplace accounts
You may also need to prepare a new Form W-9 showing the corrected legal name and taxpayer identification information.
Keep copies of:
- Your correction letter
- Your proof of delivery
- Your supporting documents
- The IRS acknowledgment
- Your updated EIN verification
- Correspondence from third parties
- Updated account confirmations
This paper trail can help you respond quickly when another organization continues to use your former or incorrect name.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying for another EIN too quickly
A mismatch does not automatically mean you need a new EIN. First determine whether the existing account can be corrected.
Using only your DBA
When a form requests your legal business name, do not substitute your trade name unless the instructions specifically allow it.
Sending the letter to an outdated address
Use the IRS address connected to the return you file or the current instructions for that return.
Forgetting to sign the letter
The IRS requires business name notifications to be signed by an authorized person. The correct signer depends on your entity type.
Failing to include the EIN
Place the EIN in the subject line and body of the letter. Confirm every digit before mailing.
Sending original formation documents
Send clear copies unless an authorized agency specifically asks for an original or certified copy.
Combining unrelated requests
Do not bury a name correction inside a long letter about penalties, taxes, refunds, or payment arrangements. Make the requested correction easy to identify.
Assuming a state update automatically changes IRS records
State and federal records are maintained separately. Complete the applicable IRS notification even when your state has already approved the new name.
Failing to request acknowledgment
Ask the IRS to send written confirmation when you need proof that the name was updated.
Advanced EIN Business Name Mismatch Checklist
Use this checklist to verify your records, choose the correct letter, gather proof, and document your follow-up.
Frequently Asked Questions About EIN Business Name Mismatch Letters
Can an EIN have the wrong business name?
Yes. The name may be incorrect because of a spelling error, missing entity suffix, trade-name entry, outdated legal name, or application mistake. You should compare your EIN documentation with the legal document that created your business.
Will a missing “LLC” cause an EIN mismatch?
It can. When your approved legal name includes “LLC,” a bank, tax system, lender, or processor may expect the full legal name. Use the name exactly as it appears on your formation documents and IRS records.
Can you use a DBA with your EIN?
You may operate under a DBA, but the DBA does not necessarily replace the legal name connected to the EIN. Determine whether the requesting form wants your legal name, trade name, or both.
Do you need a new EIN after changing your business name?
Usually, no. A name or address change by itself generally does not require a new EIN. Certain ownership or entity-structure changes may require one.
Can an EIN verification letter fix a mismatch?
The verification letter does not automatically change an incorrect record. However, it can show you the name and EIN currently associated with the IRS account and provide proof to a bank or other third party.
What is the difference between CP 575 and Letter 147C?
CP 575 is an EIN assignment notice. Letter 147C verifies an EIN that was previously assigned when replacement verification is needed. The original CP575A-J notice cannot be duplicated, although eligible businesses may have access to a digital CP575 through an IRS Business Tax Account.
Where do you mail an EIN name correction letter?
For an established business, you generally send the notification to the IRS address where you filed the applicable business tax return. Because filing addresses can change, verify the current instructions before mailing.
Who must sign the EIN mismatch letter?
The appropriate authorized signer depends on the entity. A sole proprietorship notification should be signed by the owner or authorized representative. A corporation’s notification should be signed by a corporate officer, and a partnership’s notification should be signed by a partner.
Can you correct an EIN business name online?
The method depends on the type of correction and your entity. The IRS business-name-change guidance generally directs businesses to report the change through the applicable tax return or a signed written notification.
Should you include your Articles of Organization?
Include a copy when it supports the correct legal name, particularly when the IRS record, bank record, or payment processor record does not match the state-approved LLC name.
What happens when your tax return is rejected for an EIN and name-control mismatch?
Confirm the EIN, review the IRS name-control rules, and check the exact name entered on the return. For unresolved corporate e-file name-control rejections, the IRS directs eligible users to the e-Help Desk at 866-255-0654.
Can a foreign-owned LLC correct an EIN name mismatch?
Yes. A foreign-owned LLC can document the correct legal name and request correction of an existing IRS record. The owner should also confirm that the original Form SS-4 reflected the legal entity name accurately. Related application guidance is available in Foreign-Owned LLC: How to Get an EIN Without an SSN or ITIN.
Should you close the old EIN account?
Do not close an EIN account merely because of a correctable name mismatch. Closing an account is a separate action that may be appropriate when the entity is no longer operating or the EIN is no longer needed. Review Sample Letters to the IRS to Cancel an EIN before making that decision.
How should you send your mismatch letter?
Use a trackable mailing method and keep a complete copy of everything you send. Your records should include the signed letter, attachments, mailing receipt, delivery confirmation, and any response you receive.
Disclaimer
This article provides general educational information and sample language. It is not tax, legal, accounting, or financial advice. IRS procedures, forms, telephone hours, and mailing addresses may change. Verify current requirements with the IRS and consult a qualified tax professional or attorney when your mismatch involves an ownership change, entity conversion, duplicate EIN, tax filing rejection, or disputed legal business name.