What is a CAF number 2848?
John Thompson
Published Apr 02, 2026
The Centralized Authorization File (CAF) number is a 9-digit number assigned to individuals based on the filing of Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative. You may only name individuals who are eligible to practice before the IRS as representatives.
What is the purpose of the centralized authorization file CAF number?
A Centralized Authorization File (CAF) number is a nine-digit number assigned to you by the IRS the first time you file a Power of Attorney or a Tax Information Authorization. The number is used by the IRS to track your requests for client information, such as transcripts.
What does CAF stand for?
Common Assessment Framework
The initials CAF stands for ‘Common Assessment Framework. ‘ This may also be called an EHA (Early Help Assessment). A CAF is a document which is completed by a professional who is working with the family to support a child with additional needs including physical, emotional, or learning needs.
What is a CAF payment?
The CAF Charity Account helps you put aside money for all your charitable needs. You control how and when you choose to support the causes you care about whilst making your giving go further. Either make one-off donations to major emergency appeals or regularly support the causes that are close to your heart.
Is CAF still used?
The CAF is generally used with children and young people up to the age of 18, but its use can be extended beyond 18 where appropriate to enable the young person to have a smooth transition to adult services.
How do I complete a caf?
To complete a CAF, all practitioners who are working with a child or their family should fill in the national standard form….Within this form, they should record information on:
- The child or young person and their parents/carers.
- Their situation, circumstances, and behaviours.
- Their strengths and needs.
Who initiates a CAF?
4 To initiate a CAF you must seek consent from the parent/carer(s) and child/young person. Complete CAF; working with the parent/carer(s) and child/young person and seeking advice from other agencies as appropriate.
What does CAF stand for Military?
The Department of Defense (DoD) Consolidated Adjudications Facility (CAF) is the sole authority to determine security clearance eligibility of non-Intelligence agency DoD personnel occupying sensitive positions and/or requiring access to classified material including Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
A CAF number is a unique nine-digit identification number and is assigned the first time you file a third party authorization with IRS. The Centralized Authorization File (CAF) allows the input of codified additional acts authorized on a Form 2848, Line 5a.
Is the IRS concerned about your CAF number?
The IRS urges tax practitioners to protect the CAF numbers just as they would their Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFINs) and Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTINs). However, as cybercriminals target tax practitioners for data thefts, more CAF numbers are falling into crooks’ hands.
Can a tax professional use a stolen CAF number?
The IRS has noticed an increase in criminal’s efforts to pose as a tax practitioner using a stolen CAF number or to fax one of the third-party authorization forms using a stolen CAF number. Here are a few steps tax professionals can take to protect their CAF numbers:
What to do if you can’t remember your CAF number?
If you are a tax professional and cannot remember your CAF number, you may call the Practitioner Priority Service, otherwise known as PPS. PPS may be reached at 866-860-4259. A PPS assistor will initiate the process to help you retrieve your CAF number once you provide your authenticating information.
How to reduce errors in a CAF application?
Reducing errors in CAF applications is one way to speed the approval process for tax professionals. The IRS also reminded tax practitioners that CAF numbers are valuable cybercriminal targets and outlined steps tax professionals should take annually to help protect their CAF number from misuse.
