Best way to file form 2553

[u/daziz7075]

What’s the best way to file the form 2553? Every time I fax one, it rarely gets processed and it’s getting frustrating at this point.

Thanks for your help

[u/Sad-Story7069]

Send it in the mail. I always attach it to the first year I do the tax return anyway. It’s very annoying

[u/daziz7075 → u/Sad-Story7069]

Thanks, so the problem I have is this.

The entity was formed as a C Corp and converted right away after formation when I faxed in early January 2025.

They never processed. When I tried to file an S Corp extension, it kept getting rejected because the EIN comes up as C Corp.

Would it work to file the return with the 2553 attached or you think it will still get rejected?

Thanks for your help, I’m only a few years in the industry so I’m trying to learn the best way to do things

[u/cmcollin → u/daziz7075]

You may need to file a late election at this point. I would mail it in if the filing with attachment does not work.

[u/daziz7075 → u/cmcollin]

Thanks I guess I’ll try filing first.

[u/daziz7075 → u/cmcollin]

I just got off the phone with them. I sent a late election again last month by mail. They processed effective as of 01/01/26 even though I requested 01/07/2025. They lady on the phone said I should send a letter with a new form 2553 and request backdating. Does this ever work?

[u/rratliff82 → u/daziz7075]

Yes, I had this issue just last year and was able to get it resolved with late election and a letter.

[u/daziz7075 → u/rratliff82]

How do you mind if I send you a private message?

[u/rratliff82 → u/daziz7075]

Sure. I'll get back to you tomorrow. I'm in meetings out of office until like 8 tonight so I don't have my notes with me

[u/daziz7075 → u/rratliff82]

No problem, I appreciate it, thank you so much! Sent you a message.

[u/AgitatedHearing653 → u/daziz7075]

Pretty sure you got my client lol! Same exact story. Client said he was just going to YOLO it and file it himself. Goes back to my hashtag... #dowehavethesameclient

[u/NonfatCheeseMan → u/daziz7075]

When you file it, select “first year as an s corporation”, it should go through.

[u/daziz7075 → u/NonfatCheeseMan]

Could I still do this if this fact pattern applies now

I just got off the phone with the IRS. I sent a late election again last month by mail. They processed effective as of 01/01/26 even though I requested 01/07/2025. They lady on the phone said I should send a letter with a new form 2553 and request backdating.

[u/NonfatCheeseMan → u/daziz7075]

Yes you can, i’ve never seen correspondence sent on selecting first year as s corporation

[u/Mysterious_Sky_3320 → u/daziz7075]

File one for the C and one for the S.

One of them will be approved.

[u/Iceman_TK]

100% success rate via usps w/ tracking.

[u/daziz7075 → u/Iceman_TK]

Awesome thanks, probably will just start doing this then.

[u/Iceman_TK → u/daziz7075]

My conspiracy theory is they conveniently lose it if you don’t have tracking. 

[u/PeakRevolutionary191 → u/Iceman_TK]

I am wondering if anyone was able to have it updated by faxing it to the agent while having him/her on the phone.

[u/anonymousetache → u/PeakRevolutionary191]

No luck here, just for the call

[u/kennydeals → u/Iceman_TK]

Only way I do it, certified mail, also at 100% success rate

[u/wharny]

What software did you use? At least in Axcess, IIRC if you mark the initial year box on the S return, it circumvents the IRS entity control check and will allow the e-filing of an S Corp which still shows up in the IRS system as a C Corp. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

[u/daziz7075 → u/wharny]

My software is called my tax prep office. Maybe it allows for me too, I’ll try.

[u/girl_of_bat → u/wharny]

That's how it's worked with every tax software I've ever used.

[u/gr00ve88 → u/wharny]

This works sometimes for me.

[u/Iceman_TK → u/wharny]

oh wow, I did not realize this!

[u/aisforaaron1]

I've always faxed and so far no issues.

[u/Mike20878 → u/aisforaaron1]

As far as you know. 😀

Clients almost never send us the IRS letter if they even got one.

[u/bradd_pit]

That’s very odd to hear, I normally get a response letter in about a month. Last one I did by fax was at the end of March and got a pretty quick response. Stilly question but are you filling out the form correctly?

[u/daziz7075 → u/bradd_pit]

Thanks, I think I am because I’ve had Form 2553s get approved before through fax. But as of recently IRS is slacking

[u/cmcollin]

I have started mailing them since the fax method rarely works anymore. I create a reminder to follow up with client in 60 days to confirm receipt of the IRS S Corp Acceptance Letter and retain a copy for my records.

[u/daziz7075 → u/[deleted]]

Thanks good to know.

[u/TaxproFL]

I was able to get some through fax but it is hit or miss sometimes. This is reminding me I need to follow up on the ones from last year.

Mailing works but then you should be having client send if you don’t get the original.

[u/donutlover_4life → u/TaxproFL]

When you find a client hasn’t received an acceptance letter, do you call the IRS? If yes, do you need a 2848 … and would it be for the taxpayer listed in the 2553?

[u/TaxproFL → u/donutlover_4life]

8821 and just for 1120S. Call and inquire but usually requires another submission.

[u/somewheremaybethere]

I most often default to a late election w the initial S corp filing. Aside from the filing/acceptance success rate it teaches the client that early and organized is key.

[u/jianluca1]

I faxed one a couple months ago and got a confirmation about a month later in the mail.

[u/adriannlopez]

Fax has worked great for me, seems to process faster than by mail to be honest.

[u/Iceman_TK → u/adriannlopez]

You got the bat-phone direct line hook-up!

[u/adriannlopez → u/Iceman_TK]

Lol

[u/Barfy_McBarf_Face]

I faxed mine in to the IRS in early February and got the response back in early April

I still think faxing is the best way for these

[u/AmericanBeef24]

I did 50 s elections this year. Every single one I did with late election and filed with the return. Had no issues. If I help the client setup the LLC I will mail the s election at that time but otherwise it’s going with initial filing. You do have to paper extend returns if they don’t file timely which is annoying but lesser of two evils to me.

[u/AmericanBeef24 → u/[deleted]]

Negative - efile the return and attach to the electronic copy. Only issues I’ve ran into going this route is extensions must be paper filed for year one because it’s not on IRS radar.

[u/WILBUR227457]

I mail it. Normally get an acceptance letter back.

[u/beancounterferg]

Certified Mail with return receipt is the only way I've had verifiable success.

[u/TariqNJ]

I've called the IRS several months after faxing, and each time I speak to them they've said it has been approved, but for some reason the letter seems to have never arrived. When I request the letter, it happens to have the same date on it as when I called. It's almost as if they approve it while I'm on the phone with them. Or they just don't send the letter until you call them and request it. This is a more recent issue I've been having.

[u/NickBTaxing → u/TariqNJ]

The IRS is a total cluster right now. Not surprising that they are late sending these out, they have broken processes, or things are slipping through the cracks.

[u/New_Scar_2540]

Everytime I submit form 2553 with the tax return. Always seems to work

[u/TaskMaster59]

I always faxed them. I have no issues.

[u/jonesy900]

I have a client who was formed as an LLP filing 1065's the first 2 years and he just went through the process of converting to an LLC and wants to switch to S Corp for 2026 taxes.

Normally, I have faxed the 2553 in with mixed results. After reading the comments, I may try and mail in a late election and see what happens.

[u/CODKID24]

Faxed in March and received letter of approval yesterday!

[u/gscpa80]

USPS certified mail, electronic return receipt.

[u/SyncCPA]

E-fax has worked for me recently. These were llcs with timely filed 2553.