- Power of Attorney
IRS Form 2848 Fax Number, Power of Attorney
Fax the signed form to the CAF unit for the taxpayer’s state: Memphis 855-214-7519 or Ogden 855-214-7522 (the split does not follow the Mississippi River; see the state table below). International: 855-772-3156. Send for $2.75 flat, no subscription.
Form
2848
CAF Processing
4-6 weeks
Pages
Up to 45
Cost
$2.75 flat
Before you fax Form 2848: three checks
The right CAF unit for the taxpayer’s state
Form 2848 goes to Memphis, Ogden, or the international unit depending on the taxpayer’s address, and the split is not the Mississippi River: Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana go to Memphis, while Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin go to Ogden. The full state table is below. Sending to the wrong unit delays processing, and the IRS does not tell you it happened.
A handwritten signature
A Form 2848 submitted by fax must carry a handwritten signature. A typed or electronic signature is only accepted through Submit Forms 2848 and 8821 Online or Tax Pro Account. Sign by hand, scan or photograph it, and fax the signed copy.
Both signatures and the CAF number
Both the taxpayer and the representative must sign. The representative must list their CAF number, PTIN, and designation. If the line 4 box is checked (specific use, not recorded on the CAF), the form goes to the IRS office handling that matter instead of a CAF unit.
What is IRS Form 2848?
Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, lets you authorize a qualified person, usually a CPA, attorney, or enrolled agent, to represent you before the IRS. Once filed and processed by the Centralized Authorization File (CAF) unit, your representative can receive your confidential tax information and act on your behalf for the specific tax matters listed.
Who can be a representative
Attorneys, CPAs, enrolled agents, enrolled actuaries, family members, and full-time employees.
What it authorizes
Specific tax matters and tax periods you list. It does not authorize signing returns by default.
CAF number required
Each representative must list their CAF number, PTIN, and designation (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, or k).
Revocation
A new Form 2848 generally revokes prior authorizations for the same matters and periods unless you mark otherwise.
IRS CAF Fax Numbers for Form 2848
The IRS routes Form 2848 to one of three CAF units. Pick the number that matches the taxpayer's address.
Memphis CAF
855-214-7519
AL, AR, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, WV
Ogden CAF
855-214-7522
AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, IA, KS, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, ND, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WI, WY
International
855-772-3156
304-707-9785
APO and FPO addresses, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and foreign countries. The first number is for sending from inside the United States, the second from outside it.
Verify current fax numbers on IRS.gov before sending. Form instructions occasionally change destinations. Our IRS fax number directory shows the source page and the date each number was checked.
How to fax Form 2848 in four steps
Complete and sign
Download Form 2848 from IRS.gov. Fill out taxpayer info, representative details, and tax matters. Both parties sign.
Identify CAF unit
Memphis CAF for eastern and southern states, Ogden CAF for western and plains states, the international unit for territories and foreign addresses. Use the state table above.
Upload to FaxItOnce
Sign in at faxitonce.com. Upload the signed PDF. Enter the destination fax number.
Pay & send
Pay $2.75. Fax sends immediately. You receive an email delivery receipt.
How long does CAF take to process Form 2848?
The Centralized Authorization File unit typically takes 4 to 6 weeks to enter Form 2848 into the IRS systems. During peak tax season the queue grows longer. Your representative cannot pull transcripts or talk to the IRS on your behalf until the form is fully processed.
Normal queue
4 weeks
Tax season
6+ weeks
Audit/urgent
Call PPS
For urgent matters, a tax pro can call the Practitioner Priority Service (PPS) and have the 2848 reviewed in real time during the call.
Frequently asked questions
Does a faxed Form 2848 need a handwritten signature?
Yes. A Form 2848 submitted by fax or mail must carry a handwritten signature. A typed or electronic signature is only accepted when the form is submitted through Submit Forms 2848 and 8821 Online or Tax Pro Account. Sending a fax with an electronic signature is a common reason authorizations are rejected, so sign it by hand, scan or photograph it, and send the signed copy.
Can I fax Form 2848 straight to the revenue officer handling my case?
Only when it is a specific-use authorization. If you check the box on line 4, meaning the power of attorney is for a specific matter and is not recorded on the CAF, the instructions tell you to send it to the IRS office handling that matter. If line 4 is not checked, it goes to the CAF unit for your state so it is recorded against your account.
What is the IRS fax number for Form 2848?
It depends on the taxpayer’s state: Memphis CAF for eastern and southern states, Ogden CAF for western and plains states, and the international unit for territories and foreign addresses. The number for each unit and the full state list are in the table above. Check the Where To File chart in the Form 2848 instructions for your exact state.
Can I fax Form 2848 to the IRS?
Yes. The IRS CAF units accept Form 2848 by fax. Fax is generally faster than mail because it bypasses the postal queue.
How long does CAF take to process Form 2848?
Typically 4 to 6 weeks. Tax season takes longer. Your representative cannot access your account until the CAF has finished processing.
Who needs to sign Form 2848?
Both the taxpayer and the representative. The representative must also list their CAF number, PTIN, and designation code.
Can I fax Form 2848 from outside the U.S.?
Yes. Use the international CAF unit, which has one line for sending from inside the United States and another from outside it (see the table above). FaxItOnce works from any country with internet access.
Does a new 2848 cancel my old one?
For the same tax matters and periods, yes, unless you check the box that says you do not want to revoke prior authorizations.
Fax Form 2848 to the CAF unit
Authorize your representative today. $2.75 flat. Up to 45 pages. Delivery confirmation by email.
$2.75 per fax · No subscription · No monthly fee