2553 Form fax number

The 2553 Form fax number refers to the IRS fax line businesses can use to submit IRS Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation.

By
Homebase Team
5
Min Read
HR & Compliance

What is the 2553 Form fax number?

The 2553 Form fax number refers to the IRS fax line businesses can use to submit IRS Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation. This form is used by eligible businesses—typically LLCs or corporations—to elect S corporation (S corp) tax status. Filing Form 2553 allows a qualifying business to pass corporate income, losses, deductions, and credits through to shareholders for federal tax purposes.

If you're a small business owner electing S corp status, submitting Form 2553 correctly and on time is critical. While the IRS accepts this form by mail, many business owners choose to fax it for faster processing. Using the correct fax number based on your state and location ensures that your request gets routed to the appropriate IRS center.

And if you're managing a growing team, tools like Homebase can support your compliance journey—helping you stay organized with HR records, employee classifications, and tax filings as your business structure evolves.

Where to fax Form 2553

The IRS has designated fax numbers based on the state where your business is located. As of the latest IRS guidance, you should use one of the following two fax numbers depending on your state:

  • For businesses located 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 businesses located in all other states, including foreign addresses:
    Fax to 855-215-1627

These fax numbers are subject to change. Always double-check the latest IRS instructions on the official IRS Form 2553 page before submitting.

When should you fax Form 2553?

Timing is everything when it comes to S corp elections. In general, the IRS requires that Form 2553 be filed:

  • No later than 2 months and 15 days after the beginning of the tax year when the S corp status is to take effect

  • Or anytime during the year prior to when you want the election to start

Faxing the form helps ensure your election is received on time, especially if you’re close to the deadline. Once you submit the form, the IRS typically responds with a confirmation or request for additional information within 60 days.

If you don’t receive a confirmation within that timeframe, follow up with the IRS directly.

What’s included on Form 2553?

To complete Form 2553 correctly, you’ll need:

  • Your legal business name and EIN (Employer Identification Number)

  • The effective date of the S corp election

  • Shareholder information and signatures

  • Consent from all shareholders (if applicable)

  • A fiscal year explanation (if you’re requesting a non-calendar fiscal year)

Incorrect or incomplete forms can delay your S corp status and potentially result in being taxed as a C corporation—so it’s important to get it right the first time.

Why employers need to know the Form 2553 fax number

If you're transitioning your LLC or corporation to S corp status, it often means you're growing—and that growth usually comes with employees, payroll, and increased tax responsibilities. S corp status can provide tax savings by reducing self-employment taxes on business profits. But it also increases compliance requirements around payroll, employee classification, and corporate structure.

Submitting Form 2553 correctly, including using the right fax number, is the first step toward unlocking those tax advantages without triggering an IRS audit or rejection. Using the wrong fax number, missing a deadline, or forgetting required shareholder signatures can all derail your S corp election and cause unnecessary delays.

Tips for successfully faxing Form 2553

  • Check the latest IRS fax numbers before sending

  • Use a clear, high-resolution fax machine or digital fax service

  • Include a cover sheet with your business contact info

  • Follow up with the IRS if you don’t receive a response within 60 days

  • Keep a confirmation receipt or fax log for your records

You should also retain a copy of the submitted form and all supporting documents in your business records, in case of future IRS correspondence or audits.

How Homebase supports business owners navigating compliance

Submitting Form 2553 is often just the beginning of a company’s growth toward more structured HR, payroll, and tax systems. Once your S corp election is in place, you’ll be responsible for paying yourself a reasonable salary, running payroll properly, and staying compliant with wage, tax, and labor laws.

That’s where Homebase can help. With Homebase, you can:

  • Classify W-2 employees and track hours accurately

  • Automate payroll tax withholdings and filings

  • Store employee and tax records securely

  • Maintain HR compliance as your business grows

  • Access digital onboarding, time clocks, and scheduling tools—all in one platform

Explore Homebase HR & Compliance to support your business’s tax status, workforce compliance, and payroll obligations—whether you're just starting out or scaling up.

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