What a CP-575 letter is and how to get one

Executive overview

New and existing businesses need a CP-575 letter — an IRS notice confirming their Employer Identification Number (EIN). Without it, you cannot open bank accounts, run payroll, or engage with government agencies. Apply via Form SS-4; expect the letter in four to six weeks.

Your EIN is the linchpin of your organisation's ability to run.

What the CP-575 contains

• Your nine-digit EIN (the business equivalent of a Social Security number)
• Official business name and filing address
• Federal tax forms required (e.g. Form 941, 940, 1120) and their due dates

Why you need it

• Required to open business bank accounts and credit cards
• Needed to set up payroll with a payroll provider
• Necessary for correspondence with government agencies
• Required to obtain a Medicare provider number

Who needs one

• Businesses with employees
• Corporations or partnerships
• Businesses filing employment, excise, or alcohol/tobacco/firearms tax returns
• Those withholding taxes on non-resident alien income or holding a KEOGH plan
• Sole proprietors using their SSN may not need one

How to get one

• Complete Form SS-4 (Application for Employer Identification Number)
• Available on the IRS website; can be filed online, mailed, or faxed
• CP-575 arrives at the address on the form within four to six weeks