IRS Phone Number: Customer Service and Human Help Options

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The main IRS phone number is 800-829-1040, but that’s not the only IRS number you can call for help or to speak to a live person. Here's a list of other IRS phone numbers to try so you can reach the people you need.
We've also included links to our articles on a number of topics, which might save you a call.
How to contact IRS customer service
You're welcome to call the main IRS number (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time). The agency's average telephone service waiting time is 13 minutes during filing season (January through April) and 19 minutes off-season (May through December). Call volume may be higher on Mondays and Tuesdays as well as around the tax deadline.
If you've got a question about any of the topics below, one of these lesser-known IRS phone numbers might get you to help faster.
TOPIC | IRS PHONE NUMBER | |
Tax assistance for taxpayers who are deaf or hard of hearing (TTY/TDD) | 800-829-4059 | |
Schedule an appointment with a local IRS office | 844-545-5640 | |
Find a free tax clinic near you | 800-906-9887; 888-227-7669 | |
Order a tax transcript | 800-908-9946 | |
Make a payment using Electronic Federal Tax Payment System | English: 800-555-4477 Spanish: 800-244-4829 | |
Check status of a tax refund | 800-829-1954 | |
Check status of a tax refund being held | 866-897-3315 | |
Check status of an amended tax return | 866-464-2050 | |
Report incorrect income on a substitute return | 866-681-4271 | |
Balance due questions | 800-829-0922; 800-829-7650; 800-829-3903 | |
Taxpayer Advocate Service | 877-777-4778 | |
Self-employed taxpayers with account or tax law questions | 800-829-4933 | |
Missing child tax credit payments | 800-908-4184 | |
Estate and gift tax questions | 866-699-4083 | |
Disaster victims | 866-562-5227 | |
Overseas taxpayers | 267-941-1000 | |
Identity and refund theft victims; get a new IP PIN | 800-908-4490 | |
Excise tax questions | 866-699-4096 | |
Help with business tax return | 800-829-0115 | |
Report phishing and other scams; see if an IRS agent's name and badge number are legit | 800-366-4484 | |
Verify, payoff or resolve a tax lien | 800-913-6050 | |
See if bankruptcy changed your tax debt | 800-973-0424 | |
Innocent spouse relief | 866-681-4271 | |
See which debts will offset your tax refund | 800-304-3107 (866-297-0517 TTY/TDD) | |
Help getting an Employer Identification Number | 800-829-4933 | |
Lost ITIN documents | 800-908-9982 | |
Status of application for Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number | 737-800-5511 | |
International Taxpayer Advocate | English: 787-522-8601 Spanish: 787-522-8600 | |
Whistleblower hotline | 800-829-0433 | |
Ask IRS to mail you paper tax forms | 800-829-3676 | |
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
You can try these local options for getting help.
Visit your local IRS office
The IRS operates local Taxpayer Assistance Center offices, or TACs, in every state. To see their local addresses and phone numbers, click on your state on the list of Taxpayer Assistance locations. Generally, you can’t just show up at a local IRS office any time. You have to make an appointment. That IRS number is 844-545-5640.
Try calling the Taxpayer Advocate Service
The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS that can help people with tax problems they can't resolve on their own. Every state has at least one local Taxpayer Advocate Service center that is independent of the local IRS office, and it reports to the national Taxpayer Advocate Service. You can see the local addresses and phone numbers for every local Taxpayer Advocate Service office here.
Before you call
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.
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.
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 special circumstances, the agency will call or come to a home or business when:
A taxpayer has an overdue tax bill.
To secure a delinquent tax return.
To secure a delinquent employment tax payment.
To tour a business as part of an IRS audit or during criminal investigations.
Avoid tax scams. The IRS does not:
Call you to demand payment.
Initiate contact with you via email, text or social media.
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.
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