IRS Business Name Lookup: How to Verify the Legal Name Linked to an EIN

No. The IRS does not provide a public tool that allows anyone to look up a business name using an EIN. Businesses can verify the legal name associated with their EIN by:

• Checking the EIN confirmation letter (CP575)
• Reviewing prior accepted IRS tax filings
• Contacting the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 x1
• Requesting a 147C EIN Verification Letter

⚠️Note: This information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal tax, legal, or compliance advice. Always consult with qualified tax advisors, legal counsel, and your organization’s internal teams for guidance specific to your situation. Additional regulations may apply. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, refer to official government resources and regulatory agencies.

When you file payroll returns or submit an IRS e-file, the IRS checks two data points together: your Employer Identification Number (EIN) and the legal business name tied to that EIN. If the name on your filing doesn’t match IRS records—even by a small formatting difference—your submission can get rejected or kicked back for correction.

• The IRS assigns an EIN when a business files Form SS-4. The legal business name on Form SS-4 becomes the official name associated with that EIN in IRS records.
• The IRS validates the EIN against the legal name on file during processing for common employer filings, including:
  • Form 941 (Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return)
  • Form 940 (Federal Unemployment Tax Return)
  • Forms 1099
  • Business income tax returns
  • IRS e-file submissions
• The IRS does not offer a public IRS business name lookup tool that lets you search by EIN. Employers typically verify the name through internal records or by contacting the IRS.
• If you can’t confirm the name through documentation, authorized individuals can request a 147C EIN Verification Letter from the IRS, which confirms the EIN and legal name currently on file.
• If the name on IRS records is outdated or incorrect, you may need to update business details with the IRS (often using Form 8822-B, depending on what changed).

Payroll and tax teams deal with naming variations all the time—legal entity names, DBAs, brand names, and “short” versions that show up in payroll systems. The IRS, however, generally wants the legal name associated with the EIN. Common mismatch scenarios include:

• Your company uses a DBA on filings instead of the legal entity name.
• Your organization completed a legal name change, but IRS records were never updated.
• The name was entered inconsistently across systems (extra punctuation, spacing, abbreviations, or character differences).
• An error was made when the EIN was originally requested.

Practical impact: A mismatch can lead to rejected e-file submissions, delays in processing, and avoidable rework during already tight payroll and filing timelines. 

Start with what you already have. Many employers can confirm the EIN business name verification details without calling the IRS. Check Your EIN Confirmation Letter (CP575) Your EIN confirmation notice (CP575) typically shows:

• The assigned EIN
• The legal business name on file
• The address associated with the EIN at the time of issuance

If you’re implementing a new payroll system, updating tax profiles, or onboarding a new finance or HR leader, storing this notice in a centralized, secure location can save time later.

What's the difference between form CP575 and 147C? Find out now. 

Review Previous IRS Tax Filings

Check previously filed documents that were accepted by the IRS, such as:

• Form 941 and Form 940 filings
• Business income tax returns
• Prior-year Forms 1099 (as applicable)

Tip for payroll managers: Compare what your payroll platform prints on filings versus what was accepted historically. The “display name” in a system doesn’t always match the legal name used for tax filing profiles.

Check Payroll Or Bank Records

Other helpful sources include:

• Business bank account records (often set up under the legal entity name)
• IRS notices or correspondence
• Internal corporate documentation tied to tax registrations

If different systems show different versions of the name, treat that as a signal to confirm the IRS version before your next submission.

How Do You Verify EIN Information With The IRS?

If you cannot confidently confirm the legal name from internal records, you can verify directly with the IRS.

Contact The IRS Business And Specialty Tax Line

Employers can call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line (800-829-4933 x1) to confirm EIN details. The IRS will generally require identity verification and will only provide information to authorized individuals. Authorized individuals typically include:

• Business owners
• Corporate officers
• Partners
• The responsible party listed on the EIN application

Before you call, gather what you can (EIN, business address, and any prior IRS correspondence). It speeds up verification and reduces back-and-forth.

Request A 147C EIN Verification Letter

If you need written confirmation, request a 147C EIN Verification Letter. This letter confirms the EIN and the legal business name currently on file with the IRS. This can be especially useful when:

• Setting up payroll tax accounts with a new provider
• Registering for IRS e-services
• Resolving repeated e-file rejections tied to name control or name formatting
• Aligning records after an acquisition, restructuring, or HR/payroll system change

If your EIN documentation is missing, follow the steps in our guide to requesting IRS Letter 147C. 

If you discover a mismatch, don’t guess and don’t “force it” with a quick edit in your payroll system. Instead, identify what changed and which agency needs the update. Start by narrowing down the root cause:

• Using a DBA: A DBA may be fine for branding, invoices, or customer-facing materials, but IRS filings often require the legal entity name.
• Unreported legal name change: If the business legally changed names, make sure the IRS record reflects it.
• Outdated address or responsible party on file: IRS records can lag behind operational changes unless you update them.
• Original EIN application error: If the name was entered incorrectly on Form SS-4, you may need IRS guidance to correct records.

For certain business updates—like changes to address, location, or responsible party—employers may use Form 8822-B. The IRS also notes that changes in responsible parties must be reported within 60 days.

 Use this quick checklist to reduce rejected filings and compliance delays:

• Confirm the exact legal business name tied to your EIN before submitting Form 941, Form 940, Forms 1099, and business tax returns.
• Standardize the legal name across payroll, HR, and finance systems (and document where that “source of truth” lives).
• Keep CP575 and prior accepted filings accessible to payroll and HR leadership.
• If you cannot verify internally, contact the IRS and request a 147C EIN Verification Letter for confirmation.
• If business details changed, update IRS records promptly (including using Form 8822-B when applicable).

• IRS EIN Overview: IRS Employer identification number | Internal Revenue Service
• About Form SS-4 (Apply For An EIN): About Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) | Internal Revenue Service
• About Form 8822-B (Change Of Address Or Responsible Party): About Form 8822-B, Change of Address or Responsible Party - Business | Internal Revenue Service

 How do I verify the name associated with my EIN?

You can verify the legal business name connected to your EIN by:

• Reviewing your EIN confirmation letter (CP575)
• Checking previously filed IRS tax returns
• Contacting the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line
• Requesting a 147C EIN Verification Letter

What is a 147C EIN verification letter?

A 147C letter is an official IRS document that confirms the legal business name and EIN currently on file with the IRS. Businesses typically request this letter when the original EIN confirmation notice (CP575) has been lost.

Why would the IRS reject a filing due to an EIN name mismatch?

If the legal business name on a tax filing does not match the name associated with the EIN in IRS records, the IRS may reject the electronic filing or delay processing until the discrepancy is corrected.