Guide to IRS Customer Service and Phone Numbers
Lesser-known IRS customer service phone numbers could help you skip the line or talk to a person faster. Plus, learn where you can get in-person help if you need it.
Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
Updated · 3 min read
Written by
Editor & Content Strategist 
Reviewed by
Professor of accounting 
Co-written by
Editor & Content Strategist The main IRS phone number is 800-829-1040, but that’s not the only IRS number you can call for help or to talk to a live person. Below, we've compiled a list of other IRS phone numbers to try so you can reach the people you need.
IRS customer service hours
You can call the main IRS phone number Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. The agency's average telephone service wait time is three minutes during filing season (January through April) and 12 minutes during the off-season (May through December).
Call volume may be higher on Mondays and Tuesdays, around Presidents Day and in the weeks leading up to the tax deadline. During the off-season, you can expect shorter wait times on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
If you need assistance with basic services, such as tracking your refund or looking up your amended tax return status, the IRS website also offers many self-service tools that can help.
IRS phone numbers for tax refund assistance
While you can call the IRS' main line for any tax questions, these refund-specific phone numbers may be more useful.
- To check the status of a tax refund: 800-829-1954. This is an automated service that is available 24/7.
- To check the status of a tax refund being held: 866-897-3315. Hours of operation are daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT.
- To see which debts will offset your tax refund: 800-304-3107 or 800-877-8339 (TTY/TDD). Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT.
Best Overall Tax Software
AD
- Federal: $79 to $139. Free version available for Simple Form 1040 returns only.
- State: $0 to $69 per state.
- Expert help or full service filing is available with an upgrade to Live packages for a fee.
Disclosures: TurboTax Free Edition is for Simple Form 1040 returns only (no schedules except for Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Student Loan Interest). Roughly 37% of taxpayers qualify.
Other IRS phone numbers
If you have a question about any of the topics below, one of these lesser-known IRS phone numbers might get you help faster. We've also included links to our articles on a number of topics, saving you a call.
| General tax assistance | ||
| Make an appointment with a local IRS office: 844-545-5640 | Learn more about how to find an IRS tax office near you. | |
| Find a free tax clinic near you:
800-906-9887;
888-227-7669 | Learn more about free tax filing options. | |
| Taxpayer Advocate Service:
877-777-4778 | Learn more about a taxpayer's bill of rights. | |
| Interpretation services:
800-829-1040 (Spanish);
833-553-9895 (all other languages) | Learn more about the IRS' multilingual tax resources and interpretation services. | |
| Disaster victims:
866-562-5227 | Learn more about tax deadlines for those affected by natural disasters. | |
| Estate and gift tax questions:
866-699-4083 | Learn more about estate tax and gift tax. | |
| Excise tax questions:
866-699-4096 | Learn more about excise taxes. | |
| Help getting an employer identification number:
800-829-4933 | Learn more about employer identification numbers. | |
| Status of application for adoption taxpayer Identification number:
737-800-5511 | Learn more about tax ID numbers. | |
| Tax trouble | ||
| Identity and refund theft victims; get a new IP PIN:
800-908-4490 | Learn more about identity protection PINs. | |
| Report phishing and other scams; see if an IRS agent's name/badge number are legit:
800-366-4484 | Learn more about tax scams. | |
| Whistleblower hotline:
800-829-0433 | ||
| Tax returns | ||
| Check status of an amended tax return:
866-464-2050 | Learn more about filing an amended tax return. | |
| Report incorrect income on a substitute return:
866-681-4271 | Learn more about tax penalties. | |
| Tax forms and documents | ||
| Ask IRS to mail you paper tax forms:
800-829-3676 | Learn more about IRS tax forms. | |
| Order a tax transcript:
800-908-9946 | Learn more about requesting tax returns and tax transcripts from the IRS. | |
| Lost ITIN documents:
800-908-9982 | Learn more about tax identification numbers. | |
| Payments and balances | ||
| Balance due questions:
800-829-0922;
800-829-7650;
800-829-3903 | Learn more about IRS payment plans. | |
| Make a payment using Electronic Federal Tax Payment System:
800-555-4477 (English);
800-244-4829 (Spanish) | Learn more about how to make an IRS payment. | |
| See if bankruptcy changed your tax debt:
800-973-0424 | Learn more about how bankruptcy works. | |
| Verify, pay off or resolve a tax lien:
800-913-6050 | Learn more about tax liens. | |
| Accessibility | ||
| Tax assistance for taxpayers who are deaf or hard of hearing:
800-829-4059 | ||
| Accessibility helpline:
833-690-0598 | ||
| Ask IRS to mail you large-print or Braille tax forms, publications or notices:
800-829-3676 | ||
| Self-employed taxpayers | ||
| Help with business tax return:
800-829-0115 | Learn more about small business taxes. | |
| Self-employed taxpayers with account or tax law questions:
800-829-4933 | Learn more about self-employment tax. | |
| International taxpayers | ||
| International Taxpayer Advocate:
787-522-8601 (English);
787-522-8600 (Spanish) | ||
| Overseas taxpayers:
267-941-1000 | Learn more about the foreign tax credit. | |
For tax pros and other people
| Tax preparers and tax pros with account or tax law questions:
800-829-8374 | ||
| Tax preparers and tax pros with e-filing questions:
866-255-0654 | ||
| Tax practitioner priority service:
866-860-4259 | ||
| Overseas tax professionals:
512-416-7750; 267-941-1000 | ||
| Corporate taxpayers, partnerships and nonprofits:
866-255-0654 | ||
| Nonprofits with tax law or filing questions:
877-829-5500 | ||
| Government and tax-exempt entities:
877-829-5500 | ||
| International businesses that want an Employer Identification Number (EIN):
267-941-1099 | ||
| Domestic employers, payers and transmitters who need e-filing tech support:
866-455-7438 | ||
| International employers, payers and transmitters who need e-filing tech support:
304-263-8700 |
Other ways to contact a real person at the IRS
For tax issues that you may not be able to get help with online or by phone, you can visit an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center near you. These local IRS offices are typically open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
You'll generally need to schedule an appointment beforehand, but walk-in assistance may be available in some areas.
You can also visit your local Taxpayer Advocate Service, which is an independent organization within the IRS that can help people with tax problems they can't resolve on their own.
Before you call the IRS
Once you're on the line with an IRS telephone assistor, you'll need to verify your identity to proceed. Make sure to have the following information handy before you call:
- Social Security number or ITIN.
- Date of birth.
- Filing status.
- Prior-year return and the tax return you're inquiring about.
- Any IRS correspondence you've received (via email or your online account).
If you're calling on behalf of someone else or someone who is deceased, you'll need to have a few extra things gathered in addition to the above, including verbal/written authorization, a valid Form 8821 or Form 2848, and relevant paperwork such as a death certificate or court letter
Best Overall Tax Software
AD
- Federal: $79 to $139. Free version available for Simple Form 1040 returns only.
- State: $0 to $69 per state.
- Expert help or full service filing is available with an upgrade to Live packages for a fee.
Disclosures: TurboTax Free Edition is for Simple Form 1040 returns only (no schedules except for Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Student Loan Interest). Roughly 37% of taxpayers qualify.
When not to call the IRS
The IRS encourages people who have simple questions to start on its website, IRS.gov. The agency says its online resources are "the quickest and easiest option for help."
And if you're looking for certain information or records, such as your payment history or a tax transcript, setting up an online account with the agency can help you quickly gain access to these documents. You can also make changes to payment plans, or schedule or cancel payments through your online account
State tax department phone numbers
If it's a state tax issue you need help with, tap to see a list of phone numbers for state tax departments.
State tax department phone numbers
| State | Phone number |
|---|---|
| 844-898-8542 Option 1 | |
Watch out for IRS phone scams
You can call every IRS phone number you want, but the IRS will rarely call you. It initiates most contacts, including demands for payment, through regular mail from the U.S. Postal Service. In very rare circumstances (such as those involving subpoenas and summonses), the agency may stop by for an announced visit. But if the agency needs to get in contact with you about any of the below, they will reach out by mail to schedule an appointment first.
- A taxpayer has an overdue tax bill.
- To secure a delinquent tax return.
- To secure a delinquent employment tax payment.
Avoid tax scams. The IRS does not:
- Call you to demand payment.
- Initiate contact with you via email, text, social media or third-party payment apps.
- Ask you to pay your tax bill with prepaid cards, gift cards or wire transfers.
- Threaten to call the police, immigration officers or other people to arrest you.
- Revoke your driver’s license, business license or immigration status.
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary,
trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed
studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with
industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy,
timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's
high standards for journalism by reading our
editorial guidelines.
- 1. Internal Revenue Service. Let Us Help You: IRS Phone Numbers and Tax Help Options. Accessed Feb 4, 2025.
- 2. Internal Revenue Service. IRS Phone Numbers and Tax Help Options. Accessed Feb 4, 2025.
- 3. Internal Revenue Service. Your Online Account. Accessed Feb 4, 2025.
Stressed about taxes or bookkeeping?
with LedgerWay