How do I contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)?
IRS phone lines are typically very busy during the January - April filing season.
1. Connect the IRS Online
One of the best ways to get the information you need is directly from the IRS website at IRS.gov. You can download virtually any form or publication there.
You'll find a tremendous amount of information right at your fingertips, including answers to frequently asked questions, tax law changes, and even planning calculators. It's not a substitute for talking directly with a tax expert, but the site can point you in the right direction when you need answers to basic tax questions.
As for that tax refund you're expecting, there's a special tool available to track its status. Just go to "Where's My Refund?" and click on "Check My Refund Status."
The check the status of your first second or third stimulus payment, go to get my stimulus payment
2. Contact the IRS by Phone
The next best option is the telephone if you need to get in touch with the IRS but don’t have a computer handy. The IRS provides a few toll-free numbers to assist you, depending on your circumstance:
- 800-829-1040 for individuals who have questions about anything related to personal taxes, available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. It is best to call starting at 7 a.m. on the east coast. The longer you wait into the day, the more difficult it will be to reach a live person.
- 800-829-4933 for businesses with tax-related questions, available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. It is best to call starting at 7 a.m. on the east coast. The longer you wait into the day, the more difficult it will be to reach a live person.
- 877-829-5500 for non-profit tax questions, available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time. It is best to call starting at 8 a.m. on the east coast. The longer you wait into the day, the more difficult it will be to reach a live person.
- 866-699-4083 for estate and gift tax questions, available from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern time. It is best to call starting at 8 a.m. on the east coast. The longer you wait into the day, the more difficult it will be to reach a live person.
- 866-699-4096 for excise tax questions, available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time. It is best to call starting at 8 a.m. on the east coast. The longer you wait into the day, the more difficult it will be to reach a live person.
- 866-464-2050 for amended tax return questions, available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time. It is best to call starting at 8 a.m. on the east coast. The longer you wait into the day, the more difficult it will be to reach a live person.
- 800-829-4933 for applying for an EIN questions, available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time. It is best to call starting at 8 a.m. on the east coast. The longer you wait into the day, the more difficult it will be to reach a live person.
- 800-908-9946 for getting a transcript or questions, available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time. It is best to call starting at 8 a.m. on the east coast. The longer you wait into the day, the more difficult it will be to reach a live person.
- 800-908-4490 for reporting identity theft or questions, available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time. It is best to call starting at 8 a.m. on the east coast. The longer you wait into the day, the more difficult it will be to reach a live person.
- 855-214-7519 for power of attorney questions (Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, or West Virginia) available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time. It is best to call starting at 8 a.m. on the east coast. The longer you wait into the day, the more difficult it will be to reach a live person.
- 855-214-7522 for power of attorney questions (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska,
Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, or Wyoming) available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time. It is best to call starting at 8 a.m. on the east coast. The longer you wait into the day, the more difficult it will be to reach a live person. - 855-772-3156 for power of attorney questions (Foreign Countries) available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time. It is best to call starting at 8 a.m. on the east coast. The longer you wait into the day, the more difficult it will be to reach a live person.
- 800-829-1954 for individuals refund hotline, available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. It is best to call starting at 7 a.m. on the east coast. The longer you wait into the day, the more difficult it will be to reach a live person.
- 800-919-9835 for individuals with stimulus check issues, available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. It is best to call starting at 7 a.m. on the east coast. The longer you wait into the day, the more difficult it will be to reach a live person.
Before you wait on hold, try these IRS self-help options below, if you haven't already tried them:
- Validating Your Electronically Filed Tax Return
- Where's My Refund?
- Where's My Amended Return?
- Applying for an EIN
- FBAR Online Filing
- Order a Transcript
- Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA) if you have a tax law question
- EFTPS Electronic Federal Tax Payment System
- IRS Direct Pay IRS Direct Pay from your bank account
- IRS Payment by Debt or Credit Card and Digital Wallet
- Apply for An Online Payment Plan
- ALL IRS Payment Options
- Report Suspected Tax Fraud
If you must call, make sure the IRS is the right agency handle your request. For telephone assistance, see IRS Telephone Assistance. Individuals can call 800-829-1040, Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 7:00 pm local time.
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