Where to Fax IRS Form 2848 (Power of Attorney)
Form 2848 fax numbers depend on your state: eastern states use 855-214-7519, western states use 855-214-7522, and international addresses use 855-772-3156.
Quick Verdict
The fax number for IRS Form 2848 depends on your location. If you’re in an eastern state (Alabama through West Virginia), fax to 855-214-7519. Western states (Alaska through Wyoming) use 855-214-7522. International and territorial addresses fax to 855-772-3156.
Where to Fax Form 2848
The IRS routes Form 2848 by taxpayer location, not by tax matter type. Here’s the complete breakdown:
| Your Location | Fax Number |
|---|---|
| Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia | 855-214-7519 |
| Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming | 855-214-7522 |
| APO/FPO addresses, Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, foreign addresses, or other locations outside the United States | 855-772-3156 (or 304-707-9785 from outside the U.S.) |
Important: These fax numbers may change without notice. Always verify the current number on the official Form 2848 page before sending.
If you checked line 4 on the form (specific use not recorded on the CAF), send the fax to the IRS office handling that specific matter instead of the numbers above.
What to Include When You Fax Form 2848
Before you hit send, make sure your fax includes:
- Completed and signed Form 2848 — Both the taxpayer (page 2, line 7) and the representative (Part II) must sign and date the form. If either signature is missing, the IRS will return it.
- Line 3 filled out completely — The “Acts authorized” section needs the tax matter description, form number if applicable, and years or periods. Incomplete information delays processing.
- One form per taxpayer — Don’t try to authorize multiple taxpayers on a single Form 2848. Each person needs their own form.
- Original signatures — If you use an electronic signature image or digitized handwritten signature, you can’t fax it. The IRS requires those submissions through their online portal instead.
Pro tip: Include a cover sheet with your contact information in case the IRS needs to reach you about the submission.
How Long It Takes the IRS to Process a Faxed Form 2848
The IRS processes Form 2848 1 business day after receipt. That’s the official timeframe—faster than most people expect.
Don’t refax if you’re still waiting. The IRS says submitting duplicate forms actually slows down processing. If you need confirmation, your representative may receive a CP547 notice once the IRS records the authorization and assigns a CAF number.
For even faster handling, Tax Pro Account offers real-time processing for eligible POA requests—if the taxpayer has an online account and the authorization covers limited matters and periods.
Alternative Ways to Submit Form 2848
Faxing isn’t your only option. The IRS accepts Form 2848 three ways:
- Online submission at IRS.gov/Submit2848 — Supports electronic or handwritten signatures, works for individual or business taxpayers, and accepts any tax matter or period. This is the main alternative to fax.
- Mail — Send to the regional address for your location: Memphis, Tennessee (eastern states); Ogden, Utah (western states); or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (international/territorial addresses). Full addresses are in the Form 2848 instructions.
- Tax Pro Account — Real-time processing for eligible individual taxpayers with online accounts and limited matters/periods. Fastest option if you qualify.
When to fax vs. other methods: Fax if you need quick confirmation and have original signatures. Use online submission if you have electronic signatures—faxing won’t work in that case. Mail if you’re not in a hurry or prefer paper records. And if speed matters more than anything, check if Tax Pro Account works for your situation.
If you don’t have regular fax access, you can use a one-time online fax service. ThirtyFax lets you send up to 5 pages free with no account required—enough for most Form 2848 submissions.
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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