How to fax Form SS-4 to the IRS
Form SS-4 is the application for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Fax is the second-fastest way to file it — and for many international applicants, the fastest available.
First: check if you can just apply online
If your principal business is in the U.S. or a U.S. territory and the responsible party has an SSN, ITIN, or existing EIN, the free online EIN assistant at irs.gov issues the number immediately — no form to send at all. Fax is the right route when you can't use the online tool: foreign applicants, responsible parties without a U.S. taxpayer ID, or entities that hit the one-EIN-per-responsible-party-per-day limit.
Form SS-4 fax numbers
| Your situation | Fax number |
|---|---|
| Principal business, office, or legal residence in one of the 50 states or D.C. | 855-641-6935 |
| No legal residence or principal office in any state — faxing from inside the U.S. | 855-215-1627 |
| No legal residence or principal office in any state — faxing from outside the U.S. | 304-707-9471 |
Faxing your SS-4, step by step
- Fill out Form SS-4 completely Incomplete forms are the main cause of delays. Double-check the responsible party's name and taxpayer ID, the entity type, and the reason for applying.
- Include a return fax number if you have one This matters: when you provide a fax number the IRS can reply to, it faxes your new EIN back within about four business days. Without one, the EIN comes by mail, which takes weeks.
- Fax the form You can send it from your computer — upload the PDF at faxer.me, enter the IRS fax number, and pay $1 for the first page plus 25¢ per page after that; no subscription. Keep the delivery confirmation.
- Wait for the EIN About four business days by return fax, or several weeks by mail. Don't fax a duplicate in the meantime — it can create duplicate applications.
How the filing methods compare
| Method | EIN arrives | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Online assistant | Immediately | U.S. businesses with a qualifying responsible party |
| Fax | ~4 business days (with return fax) | International applicants, no-SSN responsible parties |
| ~4+ weeks | No fax access, no urgency | |
| Phone (267-941-1099) | During the call | International applicants only, business hours ET |
Fax your SS-4 now
Upload the completed form, enter the IRS fax number, pay $1. No sign-up.
Go to faxer.me →Frequently asked questions
What is the fax number for Form SS-4?
For applicants whose principal business or legal residence is in one of the 50 states or D.C., fax Form SS-4 to 855-641-6935. Applicants with no legal residence or principal office in any state fax 855-215-1627 from inside the U.S. or 304-707-9471 from outside. Verify the current numbers in the SS-4 instructions on irs.gov before sending.
How long does it take to get an EIN by fax?
About four business days, if you include a fax number the IRS can send the EIN back to. If you don't provide a return fax number, the EIN is mailed instead, which typically takes several weeks. The online EIN assistant is immediate but is only available to applicants with a U.S. principal business and a responsible party who has an SSN, ITIN, or EIN.
Can I fax Form SS-4 from my computer?
Yes. Online fax services deliver a PDF to the IRS fax lines just like a physical machine would. A pay-per-fax service costs a dollar or two for the one- or two-page form. Note that a send-only service can't receive the IRS's return fax, so give the IRS a receivable fax number or expect the EIN by mail.
What if I never receive my EIN after faxing?
Allow the full four business days for a fax-back (longer during peak season), then call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 — or 267-941-1099 for international applicants. Have a copy of the SS-4 you sent and your fax delivery confirmation on hand; the IRS can look up whether the EIN was assigned rather than making you reapply.