Answers to the most common questions about faxing documents to the IRS, Secretary of State, and government agencies.
Faxing to the IRS
Can I fax my SS-4 form to the IRS to get an EIN?
Yes. The IRS accepts Form SS-4 (Application for Employer Identification Number) by fax. For domestic applicants, fax to (855) 641-6935. International applicants without a Social Security Number should fax to (304) 263-0669. After faxing, the IRS typically assigns your EIN within 4 business days and will fax it back if you include a return fax number on the form.
How long does it take to get an EIN after faxing Form SS-4?
The IRS processes faxed SS-4 forms within 4 business days. If you included a return fax number on your application, they will fax your EIN assignment letter back to you. Without a return fax number, the IRS mails your confirmation letter, which takes 4-6 weeks. For fastest results, always include your fax number on the form.
What IRS forms can be submitted by fax?
Several IRS forms accept fax submission: Form SS-4 (EIN application), Form 2553 (S-Corp election), Form 8832 (entity classification), Form 2848 (power of attorney), Form 8821 (tax information authorization), and Form 3911 (refund inquiry). You cannot fax individual tax returns like Form 1040 or business returns like Form 1120 -- those must be filed electronically or by mail.
What is the IRS fax number for S-Corp election (Form 2553)?
The fax number depends on your business location. For businesses in CT, DC, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, VT, VA, WI, or WV, fax to (855) 270-4081. For all other states and international filers, fax to (855) 214-7520. This form must be filed within 75 days of formation or by March 15 for existing businesses wanting the election to apply to the current tax year. You should receive a determination letter within 60 days.
Can I fax Form 8832 to change my LLC's tax classification?
No. Form 8832 (Entity Classification Election) cannot be faxed or e-filed. It must be submitted by mail to the IRS Service Center for your state. Print the completed form and mail it to the address specified in the Form 8832 instructions. The election takes effect on the date specified on the form, up to 75 days before or 12 months after the filing date. Allow several weeks for processing by mail.
How do I fax a power of attorney (Form 2848) to the IRS?
Form 2848 can be faxed to the IRS. To revoke an existing Form 2848, fax to (855) 214-7522. For new submissions, the fax number depends on your state -- check the "Where to File" chart in the Form 2848 instructions. Both the taxpayer and the representative must provide handwritten signatures (typed or digital signatures are not accepted for faxed submissions). Processing typically takes 3-5 business days.
Does the IRS send a confirmation when they receive my fax?
No. The IRS does not send a receipt or confirmation after receiving a fax. Your fax transmission log (the confirmation page from your fax service showing date, time, and delivery status) serves as your only proof of delivery. Keep this confirmation for your records -- it can be used to resolve disputes about whether or when documents were received.
Can a foreign business owner fax Form SS-4 to get a US EIN?
Yes, and faxing is one of the most popular methods for international applicants. Foreign business owners who do not have a US Social Security Number or ITIN cannot use the online EIN application, so fax or mail are the only options. Fax Form SS-4 to (304) 263-0669 (the international fax line) and enter "Foreign" in box 7b. Include your return fax number for a response within 4 business days.
Can I fax a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt application to the IRS?
Form 1023-EZ (the simplified tax-exempt application) must be filed online through Pay.gov. The full Form 1023 is also filed electronically. However, you can fax supplementary documents or correspondence related to your tax-exempt application to the IRS Exempt Organizations department at (513) 684-0040. Check the IRS instructions for the most current submission requirements.
How long should I keep my IRS fax confirmation?
Keep your fax confirmation for at least 7 years, which aligns with the IRS statute of limitations for audits. Since the IRS does not provide its own receipt of fax delivery, your transmission log is the only proof that documents were sent and received. Store a digital copy alongside the corresponding tax documents for that year.
Secretary of State Filings by Fax
Can I file LLC amendments by fax with the Secretary of State?
Some states accept LLC articles of amendment by fax. Wyoming accepts fax filings at (307) 777-5339, Delaware at (302) 739-5831, Nevada at (775) 684-5725, and New York at (518) 473-1654. Not every state accepts fax filings -- Texas discontinued fax submissions in September 2025, and New Mexico is online-only. States that accept fax filings typically require a credit card authorization form for the filing fee.
How do I pay the filing fee when I fax an amendment to the Secretary of State?
When faxing documents that require a filing fee, you include a credit or debit card authorization form as an additional page in your fax. This form includes your cardholder name, card number, expiration date, CVV, billing address, the filing description, and the amount authorized. The state processes the payment after receiving your fax. Our fax portal auto-generates this authorization form for you.
What is the fax number for the Wyoming Secretary of State?
The Wyoming Secretary of State Business Division fax number is (307) 777-5339. You can fax LLC articles of amendment ($60 filing fee), corporation articles of amendment ($60), registered agent changes, and other business filings. Wyoming is one of the most fax-friendly states for business filings and processes faxed documents within 1-3 business days.
How much does it cost to file a Wyoming LLC amendment?
The filing fee for Wyoming LLC articles of amendment is $60. Corporation articles of amendment also cost $60. When filing by fax, include a credit card authorization form with your documents so the state can charge the fee. The state does not accept money orders or checks via fax -- credit or debit card only.
Can I change my registered agent by fax?
Yes. Most states that accept fax filings also accept registered agent changes by fax. In Wyoming, you can fax the registered agent change form to (307) 777-5339. Download the appropriate form from your state's Secretary of State website, complete it, and fax it with a cover letter stating the purpose of the filing. Some states charge a small fee for registered agent changes.
Which states accept business filings by fax?
States that currently accept at least some business filings by fax include Wyoming, Delaware, Nevada, New York, Florida, and Massachusetts. Wyoming and Delaware are the most fax-friendly, accepting most business entity filings. New York requires a credit card authorization form with every fax. Texas discontinued fax filing in September 2025, and New Mexico is now online-only. Filing methods change frequently, so always verify with your specific state before sending.
How long does it take a state to process a faxed filing?
Processing times for faxed filings vary by state. Wyoming typically processes faxed filings within 1-3 business days. Delaware processes standard filings within 5-7 business days (expedited options available for additional fees). Most states process faxed filings in the same timeframe as mailed filings. Faxing has the advantage of immediate delivery, even though processing still takes the standard time.
Can I file articles of organization for a new LLC by fax?
Some states accept articles of organization (formation documents) by fax, though many have moved to online filing systems. Wyoming accepts LLC formation documents by fax. Most other states now require online filing or mail for initial formation. Fax is more commonly used for amendments, registered agent changes, and annual reports on existing entities.
Can I fax business filings to the New Mexico Secretary of State?
No. New Mexico no longer accepts paper or fax filings for business documents. All business filings must be submitted through their online portal at enterprise.sos.nm.gov. This includes LLC amendments (DLLC-AM form, $50 filing fee), corporation amendments, and all other business filings. For questions about the online filing process, contact the Business Services Division at (505) 827-3600.
Online Fax Without a Phone Line
Can I send a fax without a fax machine or phone line?
Yes. Online fax services allow you to send faxes from your computer, tablet, or phone without a physical fax machine or landline phone connection. Our free Business Fax Portal converts your uploaded documents into a fax and delivers them over the internet. The receiving fax machine (at the IRS or Secretary of State) receives a standard fax transmission -- they cannot tell the difference.
How does email-to-fax work?
Email-to-fax services let you send a fax by sending an email with your document attached. You address the email to the recipient's fax number in a special format (like
[email protected]), write your cover message in the email body, and attach your documents. The service converts the email into a fax and delivers it to the recipient's fax machine. You get a confirmation email when the fax goes through.
Is online fax secure enough for government documents?
Online fax is generally considered secure for government document submissions. The IRS and Secretary of State offices accept faxed documents regardless of whether they are sent from a traditional fax machine or an online service. The transmission uses the standard fax protocol. For added security, use a service that encrypts documents during transmission and deletes them from servers after sending.
What file formats can I fax?
Most online fax services accept PDF, TIFF, Word (.doc/.docx), Excel (.xls/.xlsx), RTF, and image files (PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP). PDF is the recommended format because it preserves formatting and produces the clearest fax output. If you are scanning a paper document, scan at 300 DPI in black and white for the best fax quality.
Is there a maximum file size for faxing documents?
Our fax portal supports files up to 25 MB total. For reference, a typical 10-page PDF scanned at 300 DPI runs about 2-5 MB. Most government forms like the SS-4 or articles of amendment are under 1 MB as PDF files. If you have very large documents, consider compressing them or splitting into multiple faxes.
Can I send a fax from my phone?
Yes. Our fax portal works on any device with a web browser, including iPhones, Android phones, iPads, and tablets. Open fax.startmybusiness.us in your phone's browser, sign in, upload your documents (you can take photos of paper documents directly), add a cover letter, and send. The entire process takes about 5 minutes from your phone.
Business Filing Questions
What is the fastest way to get an EIN for a new business?
The fastest method is the IRS online application at irs.gov/ein, which issues your EIN immediately upon completion (available Monday-Friday, 7am-10pm ET). If you cannot use the online application (common for international applicants or those without an SSN), faxing Form SS-4 is the next fastest option at 4 business days. Mail takes 4-6 weeks.
When should I file Form 2553 for S-Corp election?
Form 2553 must be filed within 75 days of forming your entity, or by March 15 if you want the election effective for the current tax year. Late elections may be accepted with reasonable cause. Faxing to (855) 887-7734 gets the form to the IRS immediately, avoiding mail delivery delays that could push you past the deadline.
Can I change my business name by faxing an amendment?
Yes. To change your business name, you file articles of amendment with your state's Secretary of State. Many states accept this filing by fax. Download the amendment form from your state's SOS website, fill in the old name and new name, and fax it with a cover letter and credit card authorization for the filing fee. After the state processes the amendment, you should also update your EIN records with the IRS using Form 8822-B.
What is the difference between an LLC amendment and articles of amendment?
"Articles of amendment" is the official document filed with the Secretary of State to make changes to your LLC's articles of organization. An "LLC amendment" is the general term for any modification to your LLC's formation documents. They refer to the same thing. Common amendments include changing the business name, changing the registered agent, adding or removing members, and changing the business purpose or address.
Do I need to fax a cover letter with my government filing?
While not always required, a cover letter is strongly recommended. It helps the receiving agency understand what you are filing and why, which reduces the chance of your documents being misrouted or delayed. A good cover letter includes your business name, EIN (if applicable), the type of filing, and your contact information. Our portal includes a built-in cover letter editor.
What happens if my fax filing is rejected?
Common reasons for rejection include incomplete forms, missing signatures, incorrect fees, blurry or illegible documents, and wrong form versions. If rejected, the agency typically sends a rejection notice explaining the reason. Fix the errors and resubmit. For fax filings, make sure documents are scanned at 300 DPI in black and white, use dark ink for signatures, and double-check all required fields before sending.
Document Quality & Best Practices
What resolution should I scan documents at for faxing?
Scan at 300 DPI in black and white for the best fax quality. Standard fax resolution is 204 x 98 DPI, and "fine" mode is 204 x 196 DPI. Scanning at 300 DPI provides enough detail for both settings. Color scans waste bandwidth and often produce lower-quality fax output -- always scan in black and white or grayscale. Use PDF format to preserve formatting.
Why did my fax come through blurry or unreadable?
Blurry faxes usually result from low scan resolution, grayscale or color scanning instead of black and white, using light-colored ink for signatures, or poor original document quality. To fix this: scan at 300 DPI minimum, switch to black and white scanning, use black ink for all handwriting and signatures, and make sure your scanner glass is clean. PDF format tends to produce the clearest fax output.
Should I include a fax cover page?
Yes. A cover page helps the receiving department route your documents correctly and provides a summary of what is enclosed. For IRS faxes, include your name, business name, EIN, the form number(s) being submitted, and a return fax number. For Secretary of State filings, include the entity name, filing type, and any applicable filing number. Our portal's cover letter feature serves as your cover page.
Can I fax color documents or do they need to be black and white?
Standard fax machines receive in black and white only. Any color documents you send will be converted to grayscale during transmission, which can make some elements harder to read. For the best results, submit documents in black and white. If your document has color charts or images, consider whether those elements are necessary for the filing -- text-based government forms work perfectly in black and white.
How many pages can I send in one fax?
There is no universal page limit for faxing, but practical limits depend on the receiving machine and your fax service. Most government fax machines can handle 20-30 pages per fax without issues. For very long documents (50+ pages), consider splitting into multiple faxes with a cover page on each one indicating "Part 1 of 3" etc. Our portal supports up to 25 MB of uploaded files, which is typically 50-100+ pages.
Cost & Service Questions
Is the Business Fax Portal really free?
Yes. The Start My Business fax portal is 100% free to use. There is no charge per fax, no monthly subscription, and no credit card required to sign up. We built this tool to help business owners file government documents more efficiently. You only pay whatever filing fees the government agency itself charges (like Wyoming's $60 amendment fee), which is the same fee you would pay regardless of how you submit the documents.
Are there any hidden fees or limits on the number of faxes I can send?
No hidden fees. The portal is designed for business filings to government agencies. There are no per-page charges, no premium tiers, and no artificial send limits. The service is provided as a value-add by Start My Business Inc. to support small business owners with their formation and compliance needs.
Do I need to create an account to use the fax portal?
Yes, you need a free account to use the portal. Sign-up takes about 30 seconds -- just an email address and password. The account lets us send you fax confirmation emails and keep a history of your sent faxes for your records. We do not share your information or send marketing emails.
What if my fax fails to send?
If a fax fails, you will receive a notification explaining the reason. Common causes include the receiving fax line being busy, the number being incorrect, or a temporary service interruption. Busy lines are common at IRS fax numbers, especially during peak filing periods (January through April). If this happens, wait 15-30 minutes and try again. There is no penalty for resending.
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