The IRS Wants to Fax You Something: Here's How to Receive It

When Does the IRS Fax You?

The IRS will fax you documents in three scenarios:

• Letter 147C (EIN verification): you request it by phone and the agent sends it during the call
• SS-4 fax-back: you faxed Form SS-4 for a new EIN and the IRS faxes back your assigned number, about 2 weeks typical
• Letter 385C (S-Corp verification): you request it by phone and ask for fax delivery

In all cases, you need to provide a fax number. For the SS-4 fax-back, the IRS says nothing about how, or whether, your EIN reaches you if the form carries no fax number. The route from there is the phone: call the Business and Specialty Tax Line, and the agent can fax a Letter 147C to a live number during the call.

Why You Need a Fax Number for the IRS

The IRS does not send documents by email — ever. Your options are fax, which the agent sends during the call, or mail, for which the IRS publishes no timeframe. If you're calling the IRS for your EIN verification letter and the agent asks "do you have a private and secure fax?" — you need a number ready. An online fax service works perfectly. The IRS doesn't distinguish between a physical fax machine and a cloud fax number.

Get a Fax Number in About a Minute

FaxTerra gives you a dedicated US fax number for $4.99/month. When the IRS faxes your document, you're notified by email (and by push with the mobile app) within seconds, and can view or download it as a PDF from your inbox. No hardware, no phone line. Set it up before your IRS call — you'll be ready when the agent asks for your fax number. If you only need a number for this one document, a one-time number is a single payment with nothing to cancel: see getting a fax number without a subscription. If you were planning to use a number from a free fax number offer instead, check what those offers actually include first; a trial or temporary number that lapses before the IRS replies means the document arrives at a line that is no longer yours. If the IRS already has a fax number on file for you, you can port that number to FaxTerra instead of giving the agent a new one.

What You Can Receive from the IRS by Fax

• Letter 147C (EIN Verification Letter): confirms your existing EIN. Most commonly needed when a bank requires proof of EIN. The IRS faxes it while you're on the phone.
• SS-4 Fax-Back: when you apply for a new EIN by faxing Form SS-4, the IRS faxes back a notice carrying your assigned EIN, about 2 weeks typical.
• Letter 385C (S-Corp Verification): confirms your S-Corp election status. Available by fax on request.
• Replacement for a lost CP 575 EIN confirmation — the IRS won't reissue CP 575, but they will fax a 147C as the official substitute. Banks accept 147C in place of CP 575.

For the full picture of what the IRS accepts by fax and what it faxes back, see How to Fax the IRS.