How to fax the IRS
There is no single, general IRS fax number. Every form, notice, and office has its own — and faxing the wrong one means your document goes nowhere. Here's how to find the right number and get your fax through.
Fax numbers for common IRS forms
| What you're sending | Where it goes |
|---|---|
| Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) | CAF unit by state: 855-214-7519 (east), 855-214-7522 (west), 855-772-3156 (international) |
| Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization) | Same CAF unit numbers as Form 2848 |
| Form SS-4 (EIN application) | 855-641-6935 (U.S.); 855-215-1627 / 304-707-9471 (no U.S. residence) |
| Response to an IRS notice or letter | The fax number printed on the notice itself |
| Documents for an audit or an assigned IRS employee | The direct number that employee gave you |
Responding to an IRS notice by fax
Most IRS letters that ask for documents (CP2000 responses, identity or income verification, audit requests) print a dedicated fax number for your case. When you reply:
- Use exactly the number on the notice — it routes to the unit handling your file.
- Include the notice number (top right corner), the tax year, and your name and taxpayer ID on a cover page, and write identifying info on each page.
- Send copies, never originals.
- Keep the transmission confirmation with your tax records — it's your proof of a timely response.
Don't fax these
The IRS does not accept regular tax returns (like a Form 1040) by fax unless an IRS employee specifically asks you to fax one as part of resolving your case. Unsolicited faxed returns aren't processed. And be scam-aware: the IRS initiates contact by mail — if a caller demands you immediately fax personal documents to an unfamiliar number, hang up and check your account at irs.gov.
Sending an IRS fax without a fax machine
IRS fax lines accept faxes from online services the same as from physical machines. Upload your PDF at faxer.me, enter the IRS number, and pay for that one fax — $1 for the first page, 25¢ per page after, no subscription — then keep the delivery confirmation for your records. See the full guide to sending a fax online.
Fax the IRS now
Upload your document, enter the IRS fax number, pay $1 for the first page. No sign-up.
Go to faxer.me →Frequently asked questions
Is there one fax number for the IRS?
No. The IRS has no general-purpose fax number. Each form has its own fax destination (Form 2848 and 8821 go to CAF units by state, Form SS-4 to the EIN operation), and responses to notices go to the number printed on the notice. Always take the number from the form's current instructions on irs.gov or from your IRS letter.
Can I fax my tax return to the IRS?
Not on your own initiative. The IRS doesn't process unsolicited faxed returns — file electronically or by mail. The exception is when an IRS employee working your case specifically asks you to fax a return or a signed copy as part of resolving an issue; then use the number they provide.
Is it safe to fax documents to the IRS?
Yes, when you use a number taken from irs.gov or an official IRS notice. Fax transmissions travel over the telephone network directly to the IRS's receiving systems, and faxing is an IRS-sanctioned channel for exactly these forms. The real risk is misdialing or using an outdated number, so verify before sending and keep your transmission confirmation.
How do I know the IRS received my fax?
A fax is confirmed at the machine level: your sending service reports success only after the IRS's fax system accepts every page. Save that confirmation. The IRS won't send a separate acknowledgment for most faxes, so for authorizations like Form 2848 the practical check is whether the authorization shows up in IRS systems a few weeks later.