How to Fax IRS Form 56 Online (Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship) | SecurelyFax
Form 56 is Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship — the form an executor, trustee, conservator, guardian, or other fiduciary files to tell the IRS that they're acting on behalf of another taxpayer (most commonly a decedent or an incapacitated person). The IRS lists fax as an accepted submission channel in the form's current instructions. SecurelyFax sends the signed Form 56 from email, browser upload, or a phone scan and returns a delivery confirmation.
When you file Form 56
The most common situations: an executor or administrator of a decedent's estate needs to file the decedent's final 1040 or the estate's 1041; a trustee takes over an existing trust; a court appoints a guardian or conservator for an incapacitated taxpayer. In each case, Form 56 puts the IRS on notice of who has authority to act for the taxpayer or estate, so future correspondence routes correctly.
Why fiduciaries fax 56 instead of mailing
Estate and fiduciary matters are time-pressured. A surviving spouse or executor often needs to file the decedent's final return on a schedule the IRS won't extend just because the executor is overwhelmed. Faxing Form 56 establishes the fiduciary's authority on the IRS record quickly, which unblocks transcript requests, payment arrangements, and routine correspondence.
How to fax Form 56 through SecurelyFax
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1
Complete every required lineIdentify the taxpayer the fiduciary is acting for, the fiduciary's own information, the authority granting the fiduciary role, and the specific tax matters and periods covered.
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2
Include supporting documentation as instructedCommon attachments: certified copy of the will, letters testamentary, court order appointing a guardian, or trust instrument excerpts. The Form 56 instructions list what's required for each fiduciary type.
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3
Sign as fiduciarySign in your fiduciary capacity (e.g., "Jane Doe, Executor of the Estate of John Doe"). The form is invalid without a properly captioned signature.
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4
Look up the current destination fax numberThe destination depends on the fiduciary type and where the underlying tax return was or will be filed. Pull the current number from the latest Form 56 instructions on IRS.gov.
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5
Send through SecurelyFaxEmail the signed PDF + supporting documents, drag-and-drop in your browser, or photograph the signed pages with your phone.
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Save the delivery confirmationKeep the SecurelyFax receipt in the estate or fiduciary file.
Form 56 vs Form 8822
Form 56 announces a fiduciary relationship. Form 8822 changes a taxpayer's mailing address. Executors often file both: the 56 to establish their authority, and the 8822 to redirect IRS correspondence to the executor's address. Both can be faxed, but they go to different destinations — check each form's instructions.
SecurelyFax is not a law firm or tax practice and does not provide fiduciary advice. It transmits the completed, signed form to the destination number you provide and returns a delivery confirmation. For complex estates, consult an attorney or CPA — Form 56 is short, but the underlying authority is anything but.
Frequently asked questions
Who files Form 56?
An executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, conservator, or other fiduciary acting on behalf of another taxpayer or estate.
Can I fax Form 56 to the IRS?
Yes. The current Form 56 instructions list fax as an accepted submission method.
Which fax number do I use?
The destination depends on the fiduciary type and the relevant tax return's filing location. Use the current number from the latest Form 56 instructions on IRS.gov.
Do I need to send supporting documents?
Often yes — certified copies of letters testamentary, court orders, or trust instruments. The Form 56 instructions specify what's required for each fiduciary type.
How long is the fiduciary relationship effective?
Until you file Form 56 to terminate it (Part II) or until the underlying authority ends. File a termination when the estate closes or the fiduciary role ends.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-30