How to Fax Form 2553 to the IRS

Form 2553 tells the IRS that an eligible corporation wants to be taxed as an S corporation. Fax is an accepted filing method, but the correct number depends on where the entity’s principal business, office, or agency is located.

Because the election has deadlines and tax consequences, have the completed form reviewed before sending if you are unsure about eligibility or the effective date.

Complete the form before choosing a fax number

Use the current Form 2553 instructions. Confirm the entity name, EIN, address, tax year, requested effective date, and election details. All required shareholders must provide consent.

The regular deadline is generally no later than two months and 15 days after the beginning of the tax year when the election should take effect. Late-election relief may be available in some cases, but it has its own requirements.

Current Form 2553 fax numbers

The IRS divides filings between two service centers. According to the current instructions:

• Kansas City service center: 855-887-7734 for entities in the states assigned to Kansas City in the current IRS table.
• Ogden service center: 855-214-7520 for entities in the states assigned to Ogden in the current IRS table.

Do not guess based only on east or west. Open the IRS instructions and use the state table for the entity’s principal location. If the address changed after the election period began, follow the special address rule in the instructions.

Send it cleanly

1. Export or scan the signed form as one readable PDF.
2. Add any required explanation or late-election statement.
3. Put a simple cover sheet first with the entity name, EIN, contact person, and total pages.
4. Enter the service center fax number from the current table.
5. Preview every page, send once, and save the confirmation with the original form.

The IRS tells fax filers to keep the original Form 2553 and all supporting documents. A successful fax report proves that a transmission reached the number, not that the IRS accepted the election.

What happens next?

The IRS says it generally notifies the corporation of acceptance or rejection within 60 days after receiving the election. If no notice arrives after two months, the instructions direct filers to call 800-829-4933.

Do not submit a second copy merely because the acknowledgment is slow. First confirm the fax number, transmission date, and next step with the IRS or your tax adviser.

Fax Form 2553 with #Fax