How to Fax to the IRS
The IRS has no single fax number. The number you need depends on which form you are sending and, for several forms, the state you are filing from. Sending to the wrong number means delays, lost documents, or both.
And the two most-searched forms cannot be faxed at all. Form 1040 (your individual income tax return) and Form 1040-X (amended returns) must be e-filed or mailed — the IRS accepts no fax option for either. If that is what brought you here, the section right after the quick-reference table explains what to do instead.
For everything else — Form SS-4, 2553, 2848, 8821, 4506-T, responses to notices — fax is accepted and is often the fastest route. This guide lists the correct number for each, and how to send one from your computer or phone in about two minutes without a fax machine.
IRS Fax Numbers: Quick Reference
Numbers below were checked against the official IRS form instructions and "where to file" pages on October 5, 2026. Details, state lists and links to the IRS sources follow further down.
| Form | IRS fax number | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| SS-4 (EIN application) | 855-641-6935 | Businesses with a principal office or legal residence in the 50 states or D.C. |
| SS-4 (EIN application) | 855-215-1627 (from the U.S.) · 304-707-9471 (from abroad) | Applicants with no legal residence or principal place of business in any state |
| 2553 (S-Corp election) | 855-887-7734 | Eastern states (state list below) |
| 2553 (S-Corp election) | 855-214-7520 | Western and southern states (state list below) |
| 2848 / 8821 (power of attorney, tax info authorization) | 855-214-7519 | Eastern states (state list below) |
| 2848 / 8821 | 855-214-7522 | Western states (state list below) |
| 2848 / 8821 | 855-772-3156 · 304-707-9785 (from abroad) | Foreign addresses, U.S. territories, APO/FPO |
| 4506-T (transcript request) | 855-587-9604 · 855-298-1145 · 855-821-0094 | Depends on your state when the return was filed (chart below) |
| 8806 (acquisition of control) | 844-249-6232 | Reporting corporations — fax is the only accepted method |
| International account questions | 681-247-3101 | Taxpayers outside the U.S. with an international tax account issue |
| 1040 / 1040-X (tax returns) | No fax number | Must be e-filed or mailed |
| Response to an IRS notice | Number printed on your notice | Anyone answering an IRS letter |
Ready to send? Upload your form at JustFax Online, enter the IRS number, and pay once — no account, no subscription, no fax machine. Your card is only charged if the fax is delivered, and you get an email confirmation when it is.
Many IRS forms are time-sensitive legal documents where scan quality and formatting matter. If you are faxing forms that include signatures, powers of attorney (Form 2848), or entity elections (Form 2553), our guide to faxing legal documents online covers preparation tips that apply directly — including scan resolution, cover sheets, and common mistakes that cause rejections.
What You Can (and Can't) Fax to the IRS
Tax returns cannot be faxed. Form 1040 and Form 1040-X have no fax number, and no IRS office will accept them by fax. Your options are:
- E-file through IRS Free File, commercial tax software, or a tax professional — the fastest route, and the only one that gives you an acceptance confirmation
- Mail the return to the processing center for your state, listed in the Form 1040 instructions
The exception worth knowing: if the IRS has written to you about your return and the letter gives a fax number, you can fax your response and supporting documents to that number. The return itself still cannot be faxed, but the correspondence can.
What you can fax covers a wide range of other documents:
- Form SS-4 — Application for an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Form 2553 — S-Corporation election
- Form 2848 — Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative
- Form 8821 — Tax Information Authorization
- Form 4506-T — Request for Transcript of Tax Return
- Form 8806 — Information Return for Acquisition of Control (fax is the only accepted submission method)
- Form 8962 — Premium Tax Credit, but only when an IRS letter asks you for it; use the fax number printed on that letter
- Supporting documents for IRS notices, audits, and correspondence
If you've received a notice or letter from the IRS that includes a fax number, you can fax your response and any supporting documents directly to that number.
IRS Fax Numbers by Form
Every form has its own fax number, and many forms have different numbers depending on your state. The table below covers the most commonly faxed IRS forms.
Always verify the current fax number on the official form instructions at IRS.gov before sending. IRS fax numbers can change without notice.
Form SS-4 (EIN Application)
Source: Where to file Form SS-4.
| Location | Fax Number | Send |
|---|---|---|
| All 50 states and D.C. | 855-641-6935 | Send to this number |
| No legal residence in any state — U.S. line | 855-215-1627 | Send to this number |
| No legal residence in any state — international line | 304-707-9471 | Send to this number |
Processing time: according to the Form SS-4 instructions, you generally receive your EIN by fax within 4 business days, compared with approximately 4 weeks by mail. Include a return fax number so the IRS can fax the EIN back to you.
JustFax Online is send-only, so it can't receive the IRS's reply. Put a fax number you can actually receive on (for example, at your accountant's office or a local print shop), or apply for your EIN online on IRS.gov if you are eligible — that route is immediate.
Form 2553 (S-Corporation Election)
Source: Instructions for Form 2553.
| States | Fax Number |
|---|---|
| CT, DE, DC, GA, IL, IN, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, WV, WI | 855-887-7734 |
| AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, FL, HI, ID, IA, KS, LA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, ND, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WY | 855-214-7520 |
To take effect for a given tax year, the election must be filed no more than 2 months and 15 days after the beginning of that tax year, or at any time during the preceding tax year.
Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) and Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization)
Sources: Instructions for Form 2848 and Instructions for Form 8821.
| States | Fax Number |
|---|---|
| AL, AR, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, WV | 855-214-7519 |
| AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, IA, KS, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, ND, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WI, WY | 855-214-7522 |
| APO/FPO, U.S. territories, foreign countries (International CAF Team) | 855-772-3156 |
| Same, when faxing from outside the U.S. | 304-707-9785 |
Note: Forms 2848 and 8821 submitted by fax require a handwritten signature. The IRS instructions state that digital, electronic, or typed-font signatures are not valid on forms filed by mail or by fax.
Form 4506-T (Request for Transcript)
Source: Where to file Form 4506-T. Use the state you lived in when the return was filed. The chart below is for individual transcripts (Form 1040 series and W-2); business and other transcripts use a different chart on the same IRS page.
| You lived in | Fax Number |
|---|---|
| FL, LA, MS, TX, a foreign country, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, APO/FPO | 855-587-9604 |
| AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, HI, ID, KS, MD, MI, MT, NE, NV, NM, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, UT, WA, WV, WY | 855-298-1145 |
| AL, AR, DE, GA, IL, IN, IA, KY, ME, MA, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OK, SC, TN, VT, VA, WI | 855-821-0094 |
Other Common Forms
| Form | Purpose | Fax Number |
|---|---|---|
| 8806 | Acquisition of Control (fax only) | 844-249-6232 |
| 8886 | Reportable Transaction Disclosure (separate OTSA copy only) | 844-253-2553 |
| 8023 | Section 338 Elections | 844-253-9765 |
| 8918 | Material Advisor Disclosure | 844-253-5607 |
| 637 | Registration for Excise Tax Activities | 855-887-7735 |
Form 8962 (Premium Tax Credit): the IRS does not publish a general fax number for this form. If you received a letter asking for Form 8962, fax it only to the number printed on that letter; otherwise include it with your return.
Responding to an IRS Notice
If you received a CP letter, audit notice, or any other IRS correspondence, the fax number you need is printed on the notice itself. Use that number, not a general form number.
If you've misplaced the notice or can't find the fax number, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to confirm the correct number before sending.
Taxpayers outside the U.S. with an international tax account issue can fax the IRS at 681-247-3101 (source) — send to this number.
You can also browse all the US fax numbers we support, each with the number already filled in.
How to Prepare Your Fax
Getting the fax number right is only half the job. Proper formatting ensures your documents are processed without delays.
Include a cover sheet. Your cover sheet should contain:
- Your full name
- Last 4 digits of your SSN or TIN (never include the full number on a cover sheet)
- The notice or letter number you're responding to (if applicable)
- The form name and number
- Tax year
- Your phone number
- Total page count (including the cover sheet)
Prepare your documents as a clean PDF. Avoid sending photos of documents when possible — they often come through blurry or cropped on the IRS's end. If you only have paper copies, scan them at 200 DPI or higher. On an iPhone, you can scan documents directly from the Notes app; on Android, Google Drive has a built-in scanner. For a full walkthrough, see our guide on how to fax from your phone.
Number your pages. If you're sending a multi-page packet, numbering each page (e.g., 1/8, 2/8) helps the IRS confirm they received everything.
Put the most important document first. Place the notice or letter you're responding to right after the cover sheet, followed by your response and supporting documents.
When to Send Your Fax
IRS fax lines can be busy, especially during tax season (January through April). The single most useful rule: don't wait until a deadline day. If a notice gives you 30 days to respond, send your fax several days early so a busy line can't cost you the deadline.
If you're using JustFax Online, busy signals are handled automatically. If the line is busy, JustFax Online retries — up to three more attempts, roughly six hours apart — and you're only charged if delivery succeeds. That means you can send your fax and move on without babysitting the process.
Sending Your IRS Fax Online
You don't need a fax machine to fax the IRS. An online fax service lets you send documents from any device with a browser.
Here's how it works with JustFax:
- Go to JustFax Online and upload your document (PDF, PNG, JPEG, or TIFF — up to 20 MB)
- Enter the IRS fax number for your specific form and location
- Pay and send — $5.75 for up to 4 pages and $0.65 per extra page (pricing); your card is authorized up front and only charged if the fax is delivered
The entire process takes under 2 minutes. No account, no subscription, no app to install. You'll receive an email confirmation when your fax is delivered — keep it as your record of transmission.
For a more detailed walkthrough of online faxing, see our complete guide to sending a fax online.
Keep Your Confirmation
After sending, save your fax delivery confirmation email and note the date and time it arrived. The IRS generally does not send a separate receipt for faxed documents, so your own confirmation is your record that the documents were transmitted.
If you don't hear back from the IRS within a reasonable timeframe — which varies depending on the form and time of year — call 800-829-1040 with your EIN or SSN, the date you sent the fax, and the number you faxed to. They can check whether your documents were received and are being processed.
Is it safe to fax tax documents online?
Tax forms often contain Social Security numbers and financial information. Online fax encrypts the upload via HTTPS and transmits over the telephone network, just like a traditional fax machine. JustFax Online deletes your files after successful delivery, so your documents are not stored. For a detailed look at how online fax security works, see our guide to online fax security.
Quick Reference
- Can I fax my tax return (Form 1040)? No. Tax returns must be e-filed or mailed.
- Can I fax an amended return (Form 1040-X)? No. Amended returns must be e-filed or mailed.
- Can I fax supporting documents for an IRS notice? Yes. Use the fax number printed on your notice.
- Can I fax Form SS-4 for an EIN? Yes. The IRS generally faxes the EIN back within 4 business days — to a fax number you can receive on.
- Can I fax Form 2553 for S-Corp election? Yes. Fax number depends on your state.
- Do I need a fax machine? No. You can send a fax online from any device.
Can I fax the IRS from outside the United States? Yes. If you are an expat or living abroad, you can fax IRS forms using an online fax service from anywhere with an internet connection. You will need to enter the IRS fax number in standard US format (the country code for the US is +1). For help with international number formatting, see our guide to sending an international fax online.
IRS fax numbers change periodically. Always double-check the number on your specific form instructions or IRS notice before sending. When in doubt, call 800-829-1040 to confirm.
Send your IRS fax now
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