What is the difference between Form 8821 and Form 2848?

Form 8821 only authorizes a designated person or organization to view or receive your confidential tax information. Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) goes further — it authorizes an eligible individual to actually represent you before the IRS. If you only need someone to see your tax records, such as a lender or accountant, Form 8821 is usually the right form.

Form 8821 IRS Fax Number & How to Fax It

Q: Where do I fax Form 8821?

Fax Form 8821 to the CAF unit for your state: 855-214-7519 (Memphis) for eastern states such as New York, Florida, Ohio, and Georgia; 855-214-7522 (Ogden) for western states such as California, Texas, Colorado, and Washington; or 855-772-3156 (304-707-9785 from outside the U.S.) for international filers, APO/FPO addresses, and U.S. territories. These are the same CAF unit numbers used for Form 2848. Verify the current number in the official IRS Form 8821 instructions before sending.

Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization, allows a third party — often a CPA, financial planner, or mortgage processor — to view your tax information without giving them the authority to represent you before the IRS. It's frequently faxed to the same CAF unit that handles Form 2848.

💡 Unlike Form 2848, Form 8821 does not authorize representation — it only permits the designated party to view your tax records.

Where Do I Fax Form 8821? (IRS CAF Unit Fax Numbers)

Form 8821 goes to one of three CAF units, based on the state where you live — the same units that process Form 2848:

855-214-7519

IRS — Memphis, TN

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia

855-214-7522

IRS — Ogden, UT

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming

855-772-3156 (from within the U.S.) · 304-707-9785 (from outside the U.S.)

International CAF Team — Philadelphia, PA

All APO and FPO addresses, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, a foreign country, or otherwise outside the United States.

Numbers verified against the official IRS Form 8821 instructions in July 2026. IRS fax numbers can change — double-check the current instructions at irs.gov before sending.

Before You Fax

Form 8821 requires a handwritten signature when faxed — electronic signatures for this form go through the IRS's separate online submission tool instead
Submit one form per taxpayer, even for joint filers
If you're authorizing multiple designees, attach a list with their addresses and requested access, and check the corresponding box on line 2

⚠️ The correct fax number depends on your situation and can change. Always confirm the current number on the official Form 8821 instructions at irs.gov before sending.

How to Send It Online

Download Form 8821 from irs.gov and complete it
Find your state's CAF unit fax number in the boxes above, and confirm it against the current official instructions
Save your completed, signed form as a clean PDF
Upload it right here on LowFax using the Send a Fax button below, enter the verified fax number, and send
Keep your delivery confirmation as proof of submission

What Happens Next

Once received, the authorization is recorded to the CAF system, typically within a few business days. You can check status using the IRS's online tool for checking Form 2848 and 8821 processing.

Ready to Fax Your Form 8821?

No account needed. Upload your form, enter the verified fax number, and send.

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How to Fax Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization) to the IRS

Where Do I Fax Form 8821? (IRS CAF Unit Fax Numbers)

Before You Fax

How to Send It Online

What Happens Next

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