IRS Fax Cover Sheet: What to Include (Template + Tips)

By David Thompson · Published July 6, 2025 · Updated March 16, 2026 · 7 min read

Quick Answer: An IRS fax cover sheet should include your name, phone number, the last four digits of your SSN/TIN, the IRS form number, the tax year, and the total page count. Never put your full Social Security number on the cover sheet. Use our free cover sheet generator to create one in seconds.

Faxing tax documents to the IRS is one of the fastest ways to submit forms like SS-4, 2848, or 4506-T — but without a proper IRS fax cover sheet, your submission can get lost in the system. The IRS processes millions of faxes, and a cover sheet is how they match your documents to the right taxpayer, the right case, and the right department.

This guide covers exactly what to include on your IRS fax cover sheet, what to leave off for security, and gives you free templates you can copy and use today.

What to Include on an IRS Fax Cover Sheet

An IRS fax cover sheet needs more specific information than a standard business cover sheet. The IRS uses this information to route your fax to the correct processing center and associate it with your taxpayer account.

Here is every field you should include:

Free IRS Fax Cover Sheet Template

Copy this template, fill in your details, and send it as the first page of your fax. You can also generate a formatted version with our free cover sheet generator.

FAX COVER SHEET — INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

TO:           IRS [Department Name]
IRS Fax #:    [Fax Number for Your Specific Form]

FROM:         [Your Full Legal Name]
Company:      [Your Business Name, if applicable]
Phone:        [Your Daytime Phone Number]
Fax:          [Your Fax Number]

SSN/TIN:      XXX-XX-[Last 4 Digits]
Tax Year:     [e.g., 2025]
Form:         [e.g., Form SS-4, Form 2848]
Notice #:     [IRS Notice Number, if responding to a notice]

Date:         [Today's Date]
Pages:        [Total Pages, including this cover sheet]

══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

SUBJECT:  [e.g., "EIN Application — Form SS-4"]

MESSAGE:
Please find attached [Form Name] for the tax year indicated
above. If you have any questions or require additional
documentation, please contact me at the phone number listed.

══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This fax transmission contains
taxpayer information intended only for the Internal Revenue
Service. If you received this in error, please notify the
sender immediately and destroy all copies.

Form-Specific Cover Sheet Tips

Different IRS forms go to different departments and fax numbers. Here's what to emphasize on your cover sheet for the most commonly faxed forms.

Form SS-4 (EIN Application)

When faxing an EIN application to the IRS, your cover sheet should clearly state "EIN Application — Form SS-4" in the subject line. Include:

• Entity type (LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship)
• Responsible party name as it appears on the form
• Last four digits of responsible party's SSN (not the EIN — you don't have one yet)

The IRS typically processes faxed SS-4 applications within 4 business days and faxes the EIN assignment back to your number.

Form 2848 (Power of Attorney)

When faxing Form 2848 to the Centralized Authorization File (CAF) unit, note on the cover sheet:

• "Power of Attorney — Form 2848" as the subject
• Taxpayer's name and last four SSN digits
• Representative's name and CAF number (if previously assigned)

Form 4506-T (Tax Transcript Request)

For tax transcript requests, the fax number depends on your state. On the cover sheet, include:

• "Tax Transcript Request — Form 4506-T" as the subject
• Tax years requested (list each year)
• Type of transcript (account, return, wage)

IRS Notice Responses (CP2000, CP501, etc.)

When responding to an IRS notice, the fax number is usually printed on the notice itself. On your cover sheet, always include:

• The notice or letter number (e.g., CP2000, LTR 2644C)
• The tax year referenced in the notice
• "Response to IRS Notice" in the subject line

This is the single most important detail — without the notice number, the IRS cannot easily match your response to your open case.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

These errors are the most frequent causes of IRS fax processing delays:

Pre-Send Checklist

Before sending your fax to the IRS, verify every item:

• ✓Correct IRS fax number — verified for your specific form and state
• ✓Cover sheet is page 1 — placed before all other documents
• ✓Last four SSN/TIN only — no full Social Security numbers on the cover sheet
• ✓Form number stated clearly — e.g., "Form SS-4" not "EIN form"
• ✓Tax year included — matches the period on your submitted forms
• ✓Page count is accurate — cover sheet counts as page 1
• ✓Notice number included — if responding to an IRS notice
• ✓Your phone number is correct — the IRS may call if something is unclear

How to Send Your IRS Fax

You don't need a fax machine to send documents to the IRS. Here's how to do it from your phone:

1. Create your cover sheet — use our free cover sheet generator or copy the template above
2. Prepare your documents — save or scan your IRS forms as PDF. Need to convert a file? Use our free document converter
3. Open mFax — upload the cover sheet first, then your tax documents
4. Enter the IRS fax number — use the correct number for your form from our IRS fax number guide
5. Send and save your confirmation — mFax provides a delivery receipt. Keep it as proof of submission

More IRS Fax Resources

Need help with a specific form? Check our dedicated guides:

• How to Fax to the IRS: Complete Guide
• IRS Fax Numbers by Form
• Fax Form SS-4 for EIN
• Fax Form 2848 (Power of Attorney)
• Fax Form 4506-T (Tax Transcripts)
• Fax Form 2553 (S Corp Election)
• Free Fax Cover Sheet Templates