Where to Fax IRS Form 2553 (S-Corp Election)

Where to Fax Form 2553

If your corporation’s principal business is in CT, DE, DC, GA, IL, IN, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, WV, or WI, fax Form 2553 to 855-887-7734 (Kansas City service center). For businesses in 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, or WY, fax to 855-214-7520 (Ogden service center).

Here’s how to fax Form 2553 to the IRS:

1. Complete Form 2553 fully (10 minutes): All shareholders must sign Part I, Box K. If you’re electing a fiscal tax year instead of the standard calendar year, complete Part II as well—this triggers a separate IRS ruling process.
2. Print and sign the form (2 minutes): The IRS requires signatures from all shareholders. Don’t skip anyone—unsigned forms get rejected.
3. Verify the correct fax number (1 minute): Check the IRS Where to File page for the latest service center fax numbers. These change occasionally, and outdated third-party guides may list the wrong number.
4. Fax the form to the IRS (5 minutes): Use a fax machine, online fax service, or ThirtyFax (€4.99 flat fee, no account required). Send all pages clearly—blurry signatures cause processing delays.
5. Keep the signed original (immediate): The IRS instructs filers to retain the original signed Form 2553 with permanent company records. If the IRS later questions the election, you’ll need proof you filed it correctly.
6. Save the fax confirmation (immediate): Your fax confirmation receipt is your proof of timely filing. Store it with your corporate records—if the IRS claims they never received the form, this is your evidence.
7. Follow up after 60 days (if no response): The IRS typically responds within 60 days with an acceptance or rejection letter. If you haven’t heard back after two months, call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933.

Fax Numbers by IRS Service Center:

The IRS will send you a determination letter accepting or denying your S-corp election. If accepted, you’re officially an S-corp starting on the effective date you specified in Part I, Line E. If denied, the letter explains why—usually missing signatures or late filing—and you can resubmit or appeal.

Can I Fax Form 2553 to IRS

Yes. The IRS explicitly allows faxing Form 2553 to the appropriate service center. It’s a fast, reliable way to meet tight election deadlines—especially if you’re filing close to the March 21 cutoff for first-year S-corp status.

Key conditions for faxing Form 2553:

• Retain the original signed form: The IRS requires you to keep the original with your permanent corporate records. Faxing doesn’t replace the signed document—it’s a transmission method, not a substitute for the actual paperwork.
• Fax all pages clearly: Blurry or incomplete faxes get rejected. Make sure all shareholder signatures are legible before sending.
• Save your fax confirmation: Your confirmation receipt is proof of timely filing. If the IRS later claims they never received the form, this is your only evidence.
• Late elections may require different procedures: If you’re filing Form 2553 late (after the standard deadline), you may need to attach a reasonable-cause statement and file a paper copy with the service center before submitting Form 1120-S. Don’t fax a late election without reading the instructions—late relief has specific procedural requirements.

Faxing makes sense when you’re cutting it close to the deadline—mailing takes several days, and the IRS postmark date matters. If you’re filing months ahead, mailing is fine. But if it’s mid-March and you need to be an S-corp effective January 1, faxing is the move.

Written by

Bernard Bado

I created ThirtyFax after needing to send a single fax and refusing to pay for a monthly subscription to do it. I write here about faxing, document workflows, and the surprisingly stubborn role fax still plays in modern business.

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