I learned this the hard way years ago when a teammate rushed to register for the Enrolled Agent exam and downloaded an Air Force form with the same number. We laughed later, but in the moment it cost us a week and a test date. You should not have to repeat that. In the next few minutes, you will confirm the right Form 2587, submit it the right way, and avoid the most common traps that slow people down.
We wrote this guide for busy practitioners, candidates, and operations folks who need a clean, current answer without fluff. If you run an accounting firm, I will also show you a simple way to keep 2587-related tasks standardized so your team stops losing time to rework.
Key Takeaways
- “Form 2587” maps to three agencies, IRS, U.S. Air Force, and California EDD. Verify the issuer before you download or submit anything.
- For IRS candidates, Form 2587 registers you to take the Special Enrollment Examination. The 2025 fee is $267 per exam part, paid when you schedule with Prometric. Online scheduling is fastest.
- If you must use the paper application, Prometric still accepts fax and mail. Fax to 1‑800‑347‑9242 then wait about one calendar day to schedule, or mail and allow 6–10 days.
- AF IMT Form 2587 is the Air Force Security Termination Statement. You route it through your unit security office under command policy, not to the IRS or Prometric.
- California EDD’s DE 2587 is the Notice of Automatic Payment for Disability Insurance or Paid Family Leave. You sign and return it when you recover, return to work, or to report a claimant’s death, often via SDI Online.
What “Form 2587” Means, By Agency
IRS Form 2587, Application for the Special Enrollment Examination
Think of IRS Form 2587 as your door into the Enrolled Agent exam. Today, most candidates register and pay online through Prometric. If you prefer paper, the IRS still recognizes Form 2587 for fax or mail workflows that Prometric processes. The current fee is $267 per part and you can take each part up to four times in a test window, which runs May 1 through the end of February. Testing pauses in March and April.
Key points you should lock in now:
- Submit and pay when you schedule. Online is immediate, fax is usually next day, mail takes 6 to 10 days.
- Fax number, 1‑800‑347‑9242. Prometric scheduling phone, 800‑306‑3926, or 443‑751‑4193 outside the U.S.
- Keep your confirmation number, you need it to reschedule or print your score report.
If you are choosing between “fastest” and “safest,” choose both. Complete the form online at Prometric, pay, and save the confirmation in two places the same day.
AF IMT Form 2587, Security Termination Statement
This is not an IRS form. AF IMT Form 2587 documents the end of a person’s access to classified information and confirms required debriefing steps. Air Force policy explicitly calls for AF Form 2587 to record termination debriefs, and the current fillable PDF is published on the Air Force e‑Publishing site. Your unit’s security office controls routing, retention, and whether you submit in person or via a secure channel.
What to expect:
- You record the termination date, access being ended, and the status of badges, media, and materials.
- Supervisor or security manager signs, you sign, copies are retained per local guidance.
California EDD DE 2587, Notice of Automatic Payment
If you are on automatic Disability Insurance or Paid Family Leave payments in California, EDD sends DE 2587. You sign and return it if you recovered, returned to work, or to report a claimant’s death. SDI Online accepts the form, and if you mail it, use the provided envelope and timeline. Related EDD forms include DE 2593 and DE 2500A, each with its own triggers and return windows.
“Form 2587” At A Glance, Side‑By‑Side
| Issuer | Official Name | Primary Use | How You Submit | Typical Timing | Fees |
| IRS | Form 2587, Application for Special Enrollment Examination | Register for each SEE part | Best, online via Prometric. Fax or mail are still accepted. | Online, immediate. Fax, about 1 day. Mail, about 6–10 days. | $267 per part |
| U.S. Air Force | AF IMT Form 2587, Security Termination Statement | Document clearance termination and debriefing | Through unit security office, per command policy | Set by unit policy | None |
| California EDD | DE 2587, Notice of Automatic Payment | Confirm ongoing eligibility changes or report death | SDI Online or mail with provided envelope | Varies by workload and delivery | None |
Sources for fees, timing, and submission channels, IRS and Prometric public pages, Air Force e‑Publishing, and EDD’s SDI guidance.
How To Choose The Right 2587 In 30 Seconds
- If your goal is the Enrolled Agent exam, use the IRS Form 2587 process and schedule with Prometric. Pay $267 per part at scheduling.
- If you are separating from the Air Force or ending access to classified information, ask your unit security manager for AF IMT Form 2587 and follow local routing.
- If you are on California DI or PFL automatic payments, watch for DE 2587 in SDI Online or your mail and return it promptly when your status changes.
Bottom line, check the issuing agency printed on the form header before you type a single line. That one glance saves a week.
IRS Form 2587, The Practical How‑To
You can finish this in one sitting if you set yourself up well. Here is a clean flow that works for most candidates.
Step‑By‑Step, From Zero To Scheduled
- Gather identifiers, legal name, mailing address, two phone numbers, date of birth, and PTIN if you have one. The IRS uses this to link you to exam authorization.
- Decide how you will submit, online is fastest, fax if you must, mail only if required.
- If online, create or sign in to your Prometric SEE profile, select the exam part, pay the $267 fee, and book your date. Save your confirmation.
- If faxing the paper Form 2587, send it to 1‑800‑347‑9242. Wait one full calendar day, then schedule by phone or online.
- If mailing, send to Prometric, Attn, IRS Special Enrollment Examination, 7941 Corporate Drive, Nottingham, MD 21236, then allow 6–10 days before scheduling. Use trackable delivery.
Pro tips that save headaches:
- The SEE window runs May 1 through February 28. Be early in the window for your best choice of dates.
- You can take each part up to four times in the same window. Space your attempts with a study plan rather than winging it.
- Print or save your score report using your 16‑digit confirmation number, and store it with your PTIN records.
Fees, Refunds, Rescheduling
- Exam fee, $267 per part, paid at the time of scheduling. The IRS and Prometric do not list a refund for a completed appointment, so plan your date carefully.
- For rescheduling or cancellations, use your confirmation number and call Prometric if you cannot make the change online. Policies and any change fees live with Prometric’s current exam notices.
Compliance Markers You Should Verify
- Look for OMB control number 1545‑0949 on the Form 2587 instructions or page footer, and note the Paperwork Reduction Act language. The current instruction text lists an average completion time of about 6 minutes.
- Keep three artifacts, the completed form or online receipt, the payment confirmation, and the appointment confirmation number. If you faxed, also keep the time‑stamped fax confirmation.
If a number looks off, check the IRS Enrolled Agent FAQ first. The IRS updates that page during each testing window, including fees, windows, and contact numbers.
AF IMT Form 2587, What To Fill And Where It Goes
AF IMT Form 2587 is about proof, not guesswork. The form documents that access ended, that you were briefed, and that property was returned. Use official records for names, DoD ID or SSN if required by local policy, unit, and the effective date.
Quick Completion Checklist
- Identity and unit details are exact and match personnel records.
- The access being terminated is described precisely, for example, Top Secret, SCI, or program‑specific access per local instruction.
- Badges, media, and materials are listed and accounted for.
- Your signature and the security manager or certifying official’s signature are present, with dates.
Routing And Retention
- Submit through your unit security office. They will direct in‑person signing or secure electronic routing and will control retention per command guidance.
- The current fillable PDF is available from the Air Force e‑Publishing site. If your viewer blocks it, try opening the file in Adobe Reader.
When in doubt, ask your security manager which checklist, which version, and where to hand‑carry or upload. It is faster than guessing.
California EDD, DE 2587 In Real Life
If you receive automatic Disability Insurance or Paid Family Leave payments, EDD sends DE 2587 with your first payment. You return it when something changes, like recovery or return to work, so the state can stop or adjust payments and avoid overpayments. You can submit DE 2587 in SDI Online or by mail with the envelope EDD provides.
Related timelines that trip people up:
- DE 2593, Continued Eligibility Questionnaire, usually after 10 weeks of automatic payments.
- DE 2500A, Claim for Continued Disability Benefits, every two weeks if you are not on automatic payment, due within 20 days of the mail date.
Fill, Sign, And Share, Without Creating New Problems
You can fill IRS Form 2587 online inside Prometric, which avoids the whole print‑sign‑scan treadmill. If your workflow requires a PDF, use a compliant PDF editor and complete fields exactly as they appear on your ID. For California EDD, use SDI Online when possible, since EDD routes and time‑stamps it automatically. For Air Force, follow unit instructions only.
Simple PDF Hygiene That Saves You Later
- Match ID details exactly, name order, abbreviations, and date formats. Minor mismatches cause holds.
- Use a signature method your recipient accepts. Prometric’s online process includes the required attestation inside the portal. EDD accepts SDI Online submissions, and Air Force units specify how they want signatures captured.
- Save a flattened PDF copy and a separate folder with confirmation emails, fax confirmations, and delivery tracking.
Security And Privacy Basics
- Do not email Social Security numbers or DoD IDs without encryption.
- Prefer portals, SDI Online for EDD, Prometric for SEE, or your unit’s secure systems for AF.
A clean paper trail is not overkill, it is how you reschedule fast or prove you met a deadline.
Processing Times, Fees, And Practical Compliance Notes
- IRS SEE fee for 2025, $267 per exam part, paid at scheduling. The test window runs May 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026, with no testing in March or April.
- If you submit IRS Form 2587 by fax, expect about one day before you can schedule. If you mail, allow 6 to 10 days. Online is immediate.
- The Form 2587 instructions carry the OMB control number 1545‑0949 and note an estimated average completion time of about 6 minutes.
- EDD timelines depend on workload. Return DE 2500A within 20 days when required, and use SDI Online to cut mailing delays.
- For Air Force 2587, timing and retention rules live with your unit security office. The official fillable PDF is published on the e‑Publishing site.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Paying the old SEE fee. The IRS updates fees, and for the current window the fee is $267, not older amounts you might see in PDFs floating around the web. Always check the IRS Enrolled Agent FAQ.
- Mixing up agencies. If the header does not say Internal Revenue Service, United States Air Force, or Employment Development Department, stop and recheck.
- Emailing forms with full identifiers through unsecured channels. Use portals or follow your unit’s secure process.
Simple SOPs So Your Team Stops Losing Time
If you run a firm, standardize this task so anyone can execute it correctly.
One‑Page SOP, IRS SEE Registration
- Confirm the target, the IRS Form 2587 process for SEE.
- Choose submission path, online first, fax second, mail only if required.
- Collect, name, DOB, address, two phones, PTIN.
- Book and pay, $267 per part. Save confirmation and calendar alerts.
- File artifacts, receipt, confirmation, score report.
One‑Page SOP, AF IMT 2587
- Pull official record data, DoD ID or SSN if required by local policy.
- Complete form fields, specify access being terminated, list property and media.
- Signatures, member and security manager, dates.
- Route through unit security office, follow retention rules.
One‑Page SOP, EDD DE 2587
- Confirm trigger, recovery, return to work, or death reporting.
- Submit in SDI Online if possible, or use the provided envelope.
- Track return and keep a copy in the claimant file.
FAQs, Clear And Short
What is Form 2587?
It depends on the agency. For IRS, Form 2587 registers you for the Special Enrollment Examination and links your info so Prometric can schedule you. For the Air Force, AF IMT Form 2587 documents clearance termination. For California EDD, DE 2587 is a Notice of Automatic Payment you return when your status changes.
How much does the Enrolled Agent exam cost in the 2025 window?
The fee is $267 per exam part. You pay at scheduling, which you can do online with Prometric. Save your confirmation number.
Can I still fax IRS Form 2587?
Yes. Fax to 1‑800‑347‑9242, wait one calendar day, then schedule by phone or online. If you mail instead, allow 6 to 10 days. Online is still the fastest path.
Where do I get the official Air Force 2587?
Use the Air Force e‑Publishing site for the current PDF and follow your unit’s security office guidance for routing and retention.
When do I return EDD’s DE 2587?
Return it when you recover, return to work, or to report a death for a claimant on automatic payments. If you use SDI Online, you will see the form in your inbox there.
How hard is the EA exam, and how long should I study?
The exam is three parts, 3.5 hours each. Most candidates plan 25 to 60 hours per part, sometimes more for Part 2. Create a weekly plan, use outlines and practice exams, and protect your calendar during the 30 days before your test date. For dates and logistics, always confirm on the IRS Enrolled Agent FAQ and Prometric SEE pages.
Real‑World Examples To Make This Concrete
- EA candidate timeline, You submit online Monday at 9 a.m., pay $267, pick a seat for June 12, and receive a confirmation email immediately. You print the score report after the exam using your 16‑digit confirmation number.
- AF member out‑processing, You complete AF IMT 2587 with your security manager on separation, list returned media and badges, sign both blocks, and hand it back per the unit’s checklist.
- CA claimant status change, You recover early, log in to SDI Online, complete DE 2587 the same day, and stop payments to avoid an overpayment case.
Small But Important Details That People Miss
- Names and dates must match IDs, especially for Prometric check‑in. Typos create reschedule hassles.
- Store every confirmation, keep a “SEE” subfolder or a secure vault entry for 2587 receipts, confirmations, and score reports.
- For Air Force forms, never improvise the routing. If your unit wants in‑person signatures, do not email a scanned copy unless they tell you to.
Where Accountably Fits, Lightly And Only Where It Helps
If you lead a CPA or EA firm, you already know that small process misses multiply in peak season. We help firms standardize production work, including checklists for regulatory forms and exam‑related onboarding for new hires, so deliverables ship on time without review firefighting. Our offshore delivery teams work inside your systems, with SOP‑driven workflows, quality layers, and live tracking, which keeps small admin steps like 2587 confirmations from turning into week‑long delays. We build capacity without chaos, not resumes without accountability.
If you are exploring that kind of structure for busy season and beyond, we can share examples of the exact SOPs and dashboards firms use to keep compliance tasks tight and scalable.
Conclusion
You now know there is no single “Form 2587.” IRS Form 2587 gets you into the SEE and is fastest online through Prometric with a $267 per‑part fee in the current window. AF IMT Form 2587 documents security termination and flows through your unit security office. California’s DE 2587 supports DI and PFL automatic payment status changes in SDI Online or by mail. When in doubt, check the agency header, match your purpose to the right form, and keep confirmations.
One last check before you submit, right agency, right edition, right channel. That single pause is the simplest way to keep your timeline intact.
Notes, This page references the IRS Enrolled Agent FAQ, Prometric’s SEE pages, the Air Force e‑Publishing PDF for AF IMT 2587, and California EDD’s SDI guidance, each reviewed for the May 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026 SEE window and current EDD workflows. If you see a conflict, use those same sources to confirm the live policy or fee and capture a screen for your records.