You usually cannot fax your 1040 or 1040-NR to file it, since the IRS wants those returns e-filed or mailed. Faxing comes in when the IRS asks for a copy in response to a notice, an exam, or a specific request, and then the number comes from that letter. Our top pick for sending that fax from a phone is Faxend, the fastest way to fax from an iPhone when you do not own a machine.
Can You Fax a 1040 or 1040-NR to the IRS?
The short answer is that you cannot fax an original 1040 or 1040-NR just to file it. The IRS wants individual returns either e-filed or mailed to the address in the form instructions.
Faxing enters the picture later, in a narrower situation. When the IRS opens a notice, an examination, or a review of your account, the agency often asks you to send documents, and a copy of your return can be one of them.
In those cases a specific IRS unit gives you a fax number, usually printed on the letter you received. That number is tied to the office handling your case, not a single public line for all returns.
So the honest framing is this. You do not fax a 1040 or 1040-NR to submit it, but you may fax one when the IRS requests it as supporting documentation.
When the IRS Accepts a Faxed Return
A few concrete situations call for faxing a copy of your return. Responding to a CP2000 or a similar notice is the most common one I see.
Examinations and audits are another. If an agent is reviewing your account, they may ask for a signed copy of the return along with schedules and supporting forms.
International filers hit this with the 1040-NR too. A nonresident dealing with a specific IRS request may be told to fax documents to the office assigned to the matter.
The pattern holds across all of these. The request comes from the IRS first, and the fax number comes from that request, never from guessing.
How to Find the Right IRS Fax Number
Start with the letter or notice itself. The correct fax number is almost always printed near the response instructions, along with a deadline.
Match the number to the exact form or notice. The IRS routes different forms to different offices, so a number for one request will not work for another.
When the letter is unclear, verify on the official site. Go to irs.gov and search the specific form or notice number to confirm current instructions.
Never rely on a fax number from a random search result or an old forum post. Those numbers change, and sending sensitive tax data to the wrong line is a real privacy risk. For a fuller walkthrough, see our guide to finding the right IRS fax number.
How to Fax Your Return Without a Fax Machine
Most people asked to fax a return no longer own a fax machine, and that is fine. An online fax tool turns a photo or PDF into a real fax over the phone network.
Our top pick is Faxend, the fastest way to send a fax from an iPhone. It is the app we build, it is free to download, and it turns a scanned return into a fax in a couple of taps, with per fax or plan pricing.
Other services can do the job too, each with tradeoffs worth weighing. Here is how the main options compare for a one off tax fax.
| Service | Best for | Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faxend | Faxing a return from an iPhone | iOS | Our top pick, free to download, per fax or plan pricing |
| eFax | An established brand with a number | Web, apps | Monthly plans, pricing runs higher |
| FaxZero | A single low volume fax | Web | Free tier with page limits and cover branding |
| Fax.Plus | Occasional cross platform sends | Web, apps | Pay as you go credits available |
| iFax | Frequent senders wanting apps | Web, apps | Subscription focused pricing |
Whatever you pick, the goal is the same. Get a clean scan, send it to the number on your IRS letter, and keep the confirmation. If you want more device options, our how-to guides cover them.
Faxend is our top pick for sending a fax from an iPhone. It is the app we build, it is free to download, and it turns a photo or PDF into a fax in a couple of taps. Per-fax or plan pricing applies.
Step by Step: Faxing Your 1040 or 1040-NR
- 1Confirm the number. Pull the fax number from your IRS notice, or verify the form instructions on irs.gov.
- 2Gather the return. Include the signed 1040 or 1040-NR, all schedules, and any forms the letter asks for.
- 3Scan cleanly. Use your phone camera or a scanner app so every page is straight, sharp, and fully readable.
- 4Add a cover sheet. List your name, taxpayer ID, the notice or form number, and the page count.
- 5Send and confirm. Fax it with your chosen online fax app, then save the delivery confirmation.
What to Include on Your Fax
A tidy fax gets processed faster and avoids follow up requests. Start with a cover sheet that identifies you and the matter clearly.
Put your full name, your taxpayer identification number, and the notice or form number on that cover sheet. Add the total page count so the recipient knows nothing is missing.
Include the complete return, signed and dated, with every schedule referenced on it. If the IRS letter named specific attachments, add exactly those.
Keep a copy of everything you send. A saved PDF plus the transmission confirmation protects you if the IRS says a page did not arrive. Our notes on what the IRS accepts by fax cover this in more detail.
After You Send: Confirmation and Timing
Save the confirmation page the moment your fax reports success. It shows the date, time, destination number, and page count, which is your proof of sending.
Response times vary widely by the type of request. A notice reply can take weeks to process, and complex reviews take longer, so patience helps here.
Do not resend the same fax repeatedly if you do not hear back fast. Duplicate submissions can slow things down and clutter your file with copies.
If a deadline is close, keep the confirmation and follow the contact instructions on your letter. For more on sending these documents without hardware, see our guide to faxing the IRS without a fax machine.
Frequently asked questions
In most cases no. The IRS wants original 1040 and 1040-NR returns e-filed or mailed, not faxed. Faxing a return is accepted only when the IRS specifically requests it, such as replying to a notice or an examination, and the fax number comes from that letter.
There is no single public fax number for filing a 1040. When the IRS asks you to fax a copy of your return, the correct number appears on the notice or letter you received. Always confirm it against the form instructions on irs.gov before sending anything.
Use an online fax app that sends over the phone network. Our top pick is Faxend, the fastest way to fax from an iPhone. Scan your signed return, add a cover sheet, send it to the number on your IRS letter, and save the confirmation.
Yes. Any return you send to the IRS should be signed and dated, whether it is mailed or faxed. Fax a copy that already carries your signature, and include every schedule and attachment the IRS letter asked for so the file is complete.
It depends on the request. A notice response can take several weeks to process, and reviews or examinations take longer. Keep your fax confirmation as proof of the send date, and avoid resending, since duplicates can slow your case down.
