How to Fax Form 2848 (IRS Power of Attorney) in 2026

There is no single Form 2848 fax number. Form 2848 (Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative) is routed to a Centralized Authorization File (CAF) unit by where the taxpayer lives — East (Memphis), West (Ogden), or International (Philadelphia).

This guide quotes the live Instructions for Form 2848 Where To File Chart (revision 09/2021; page last reviewed 30 April 2026; re-checked 10 September 2026) and the IRS submit power of attorney page. Routing and numbers can change without notice. Re-check IRS.gov the day you send.

What is the Form 2848 fax number?

Form 2848 authorizes an eligible individual to represent you before the IRS and to inspect and/or receive your confidential tax information for the matters you list. Eligible designations appear in Part II (items (a)–(r)) of the live form.

The IRS publishes three CAF destinations, not one nationwide line:

Source: IRS — Instructions for Form 2848, Where To File Chart. The chart footnote says these numbers may change without notice; check IRS.gov/Form2848 under Recent Developments.

+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|              FORM 2848 CAF FAX ROUTING (RE-CHECK IRS.GOV)            |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| No nationwide Form 2848 fax number                                   |
|                                                                      |
| CAF East (Memphis)   -->  855-214-7519   (listed eastern /           |
|                                            southeastern / Great      |
|                                            Lakes states + DC)        |
| CAF West (Ogden)     -->  855-214-7522   (listed western / plains /  |
|                                            listed midwest states)    |
| International CAF    -->  855-772-3156                               |
|   (outside the US)   -->  304-707-9785                               |
|                                                                      |
| Line 4 specific-use matters --> fax/mail the IRS office handling     |
|   that matter (not the general CAF chart)                            |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+

855 numbers are US toll-free. From outside the United States, the live chart lists 304-707-9785 for the International CAF Team. Dial as +1-304-707-9785 when calling from abroad.

This post is the dedicated Form 2848 walkthrough. The IRS fax numbers directory still flags 2848 as “verify on IRS.gov”; use this page for the live CAF chart and signature rules. For the broader fax-to-IRS hub, see How to fax the IRS in 2026.

Form 2848 vs Form 8821 (do not merge them)

Live Instructions for Form 2848 say to use Form 8821 when you want disclosure only and do not want to authorize representation. Live Instructions for Form 8821 are the TIA source — cite them for contrast, but do not fax Form 8821 under this Form 2848 slug when what you need is a power of attorney.

Unenrolled return preparers who do not meet the representation requirements in i2848 may still be authorized to inspect/receive information on a Form 8821 — that still is not representation.

Handwritten signature only on fax or mail

This is the rule that trips online-fax senders.

Live i2848 (Line 7 / How To File / Electronic Signatures):

• Fax or mail: you must handwrite your signature. Digital, electronic, or typed-font signatures are not valid on Forms 2848 filed by fax or mail.
• Electronic signature (typed name in the signature block, scanned/digitized image of a handwritten signature, signature pad, stylus, or third-party software): you must submit online at IRS.gov/Submit2848.

The IRS submit power of attorney page repeats the same split: fax or mail = handwritten signature only; online options accept electronic or handwritten signatures depending on the channel (Tax Pro Account / Submit Forms 2848 and 8821 Online).

Practical fax workflow:

1. Complete Form 2848 as a fillable PDF or typed form.
2. Print, wet-ink sign Part I (taxpayer) and Part II (representative), then scan in black and white at 300 DPI or higher — or print, sign, and use a scanner app that produces a straight, high-contrast PDF.
3. Do not stamp a cursive font or paste a signature image onto a PDF and fax that as if it were wet ink.

If the representative signs first, the taxpayer has no required time limit in the instructions. If the taxpayer signs first, the representative must generally sign within 45 days (domestic) or 60 days (taxpayers residing abroad).

How to prepare Form 2848 before you fax

Use the current PDFs from IRS.gov: Form 2848 and Instructions for Form 2848 (both HTTP 200 when re-checked 10 September 2026). Confirm the live revision the day you file.

1. Line 1 — Taxpayer information. Enter the taxpayer only (not the representative’s address). Spouses or former spouses on a joint return each need a separate Form 2848.
2. Line 2 — Representative(s). Name eligible individuals only. CAF number (or “None”), PTIN if applicable. You may check the box so a representative receives copies of notices — at most two representatives (or Form 8821 designees) can receive notice copies for the same matter(s).
3. Line 3 — Acts authorized. Description of matter, tax form number, and year(s)/period(s). Do not write “All years,” “All periods,” or “All taxes” — the IRS will return that power of attorney. Future years recorded on the CAF generally cannot exceed 3 years from December 31 of the year the IRS receives the form.
4. Line 4 — Specific use. Check only if the matter is not recorded on the CAF (for example, certain EIN applications, private letter rulings, FOIA). Then fax/mail the office handling that matter.
5. Lines 5a / 5b. Add or withhold specific acts (substitute representative, third-party disclosure, signing a return in limited situations, and so on) only when the live instructions call for it.
6. Line 6. Filing a new CAF Form 2848 generally revokes earlier CAF powers for the same matter unless you check the retention box and attach copies of the powers you want to keep. Filing Form 2848 does not revoke a Form 8821.
7. Part II — Declaration of Representative. Each listed representative signs in order, with designation (a)–(r) and licensing details.

Authorizing a representative does not relieve you of your tax obligations. Address changes on Form 2848 do not update your last known address — use Form 8822 / 8822-B for that.

How to fax Form 2848

+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                    FAX CHECKLIST (DAY YOU SEND)                      |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1. Open IRS.gov/instructions/i2848 Where To File Chart               |
| 2. Confirm East / West / International (or line-4 office)            |
| 3. Wet-ink signed Form 2848 (taxpayer + representative)              |
| 4. High-contrast PDF scan (300+ DPI black-and-white)                 |
| 5. Cover sheet: Form 2848, taxpayer name, TIN last-4, page count     |
| 6. Fax the matching CAF number from the live chart                   |
| 7. Save the transmission receipt with your copy of the signed form   |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+

1. Re-check the live Where To File Chart on Instructions for Form 2848 immediately before you transmit. Do not rely on a saved blog post or last year’s cheat sheet.
2. If line 4 is checked, fax or mail the IRS office handling that specific matter — not the general CAF East/West numbers.
3. Use a clean PDF. CAF intake is scanned. Straight pages, dark wet-ink signatures, no gray photo backgrounds.
4. Add a short cover sheet. Form name (Form 2848), taxpayer name, last four of SSN/EIN, page count, date, and a callback number. Keep full SSNs off the cover.
5. Send to the matching number from the table above (855-214-7519, 855-214-7522, 855-772-3156, or 304-707-9785).
6. Keep proof. A cloud-fax delivery receipt (timestamp, page count, called number, receiving-terminal handshake) is the record you control on send day.

Upload the signed PDF from Send or receive a fax — no machine or phone line required. SingleFax transmits the pages you upload; it does not practice before the IRS or act as your representative.

Online alternatives (when you are not faxing):

• Tax Pro Account — IRS notes faster processing for certain authorizations; many requests record immediately to the CAF.
• IRS.gov/Submit2848 — required path if you use an electronic signature (Secure Access account required).

If you already faxed or mailed a form, the IRS submit page says not to submit the same form online again.

Revocation and withdrawal

• Taxpayer revoke: write REVOKE across the top of the first page, sign and date below, then mail or fax a copy using the Where To File Chart (or the office handling a specific matter). Without a copy, send a signed statement that lists the matters/years and each representative whose authority is revoked (or “revoke all years/periods”).
• Representative withdraw: write WITHDRAW across the top, sign and date, and send the same way (or a signed withdrawal statement).

Frequently asked questions

What is the form 2848 fax number?

There is no single nationwide number. As of the 30 April 2026 i2848 page review (re-checked 10 September 2026), the live Where To File Chart lists 855-214-7519 (CAF East / Memphis), 855-214-7522 (CAF West / Ogden), and international 855-772-3156 plus 304-707-9785 (outside the United States). Route by the taxpayer’s residence (or the international row).

Can I e-sign Form 2848 and then fax it?

No. Wet-ink / handwritten signature only for fax or mail. Electronic signatures go through IRS.gov/Submit2848 only.

Is Form 2848 the same as Form 8821?

No. 2848 = representation (power of attorney). 8821 = tax information authorization only. See the contrast table above; do not merge the forms.

Do I fax Form 2848 to the same number as Form SS-4 or Form 2553?

No. EIN (SS-4), S-corp election (2553), and CAF power-of-attorney (2848) use different IRS units and different numbers. See the IRS fax numbers directory, Form SS-4 by fax, and Form 2553 by fax.

How long does CAF processing take?

The IRS processes Forms 2848 in the order received, whether online, fax, or mail. Tax Pro Account is described as faster for many requests (often recording immediately to the CAF). Check Form 2848 and 8821 processing status on IRS.gov rather than guessing a fixed turnaround.

Send Form 2848 with SingleFax

Print and wet-ink sign Form 2848, scan a clean PDF, then upload it from Send or receive a fax. Pick the CAF East, West, or International number from the live i2848 chart the day you send. Keep the transmission receipt with your signed copy.

SingleFax is a transmission service. It is not a CPA firm, law firm, or enrolled representative, and sending a fax through SingleFax does not create a power of attorney.

Related guides

• How to Fax the IRS in 2026 (Forms, Numbers, What You Can't Fax)
• IRS Fax Numbers Directory 2026
• How to Fax Form 2553 (S-Corp Election) in 2026
• How to Apply for an EIN by Fax (Form SS-4)
• Can You Fax a Tax Return to the IRS?
• IRS and State Forms You Can Still Fax in 2026

Sources (re-checked 10 September 2026)

• Instructions for Form 2848 (09/2021; page last reviewed 30 April 2026) — Where To File Chart, How To File, Electronic Signatures, Line 7 handwritten-signature rule
• Instructions for Form 2848 (PDF) (HTTP 200)
• Form 2848 (PDF) (HTTP 200)
• Submit power of attorney and tax information authorizations — Tax Pro Account, Submit2848, fax/mail handwritten-only
• Instructions for Form 8821 — TIA contrast only (not merged into this slug)

Disclaimer: SingleFax provides document transmission. SingleFax is not a CPA firm or law firm, and this article is not tax, legal, or accounting advice. Confirm every fax number and signature rule on IRS.gov the day you file, and consult a licensed professional for your authorization.