Contact the IRS

If you’ve been audited, are having a difficult time paying your taxes, or have a question about forms or filing, you may need to contact the IRS. Simple questions can be answered using the IRS’s Interactive Tax Assistant online, but for more challenging issues, you will need to call one of their help numbers or visit a local Tax Assistance Center. If you still have not resolved your problem, you can contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service, an independent branch of the IRS tasked with helping people with their tax problems.

Steps

Contacting the IRS by Phone

1. Call the toll-free IRS telephone number for individuals if you are calling about a personal tax matter. This number is 1-800-829-1040. The business hours are between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. in your local time zone.
2. Use the 1-800-829-3676 number for assistance completing your tax forms. This number is the quickest way to get in touch with a specialist trained to assist you in filling out your return forms. Business hours are 7:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday.
3. Call 1-800-908-4490 if you are a victim of identity theft. Business hours are Monday-Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. in your time zone.
4. Call the toll-free telephone number for business help if you are calling about a corporate or business tax matter. This number is 1-800-829-4933. You can reach someone between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. in your local time zone.
5. Use the TDD line if you have a hearing impairment. The IRS can be reached at 1-800-829-4059, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. local time.
6. Call the toll-free telephone number for charitable organizations and government agencies if you are an exempt agency or a retirement plan administrator needing help. This number is 1-877-829-5500. This phone is answered between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. local time.
7. Reach International Services at 1-267-941-1000 if you live abroad and need help with your taxes. Business hours are Monday-Friday between 6am and 11pm, Eastern Time.
8. Use a specialized number to address particular issues. The IRS has set up 16 hotlines for questions regarding particular issues such as forms and publications, the electronic federal tax payment system, and employer identification numbers. You can find the complete list of specialized numbers here.

Reaching the IRS Online

1. Send comments or feedback to the IRS by email at irs.gov.website.helpdesk@speedymail.com. Do not include personal information such as your social security number, and be aware that the IRS does not answer questions via email. Specific tax questions should be handled by phone or in person.
2. Try the Interactive Tax Assistant for quick online answers to your questions 24/7. Enter your problem or question, like “can I take the premium tax credit” or “how much is my standard deduction,” and this interactive system will ask you a series of question to help find the answer.
3. Use the Refund Status Checker to find out the status of your refund. You’ll need your social security number, filing status, and the exact amount of the refund.
4. Chat with the Website Help Desk for help navigating the IRS site. Online agents can answer questions regarding where to find forms or other information on the site, but not questions regarding your tax return or refund. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
5. Use the comment page to ask questions about the irs.gov site. Only questions regarding the site, such as where to find forms or other information, will be answered. Type in your email address and write your question in the box. The IRS will respond within 48 hours.
6. Access the PTIN online chat if you are a tax professional. Agents can assist you with general PTIN questions in the online chat, but for questions specific to your account, you will have to call. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday.

Contacting the IRS in Person

1. Find a local Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) in your area. There are two ways to find an office:
   • Enter your zip code and a radius to search in the Office Locator. You will be provided with a list of nearby locations, including their address, phone number, hours of operation and services provided at the location.
   • Click your state on the map on the TAC contact page. You will be provided with a list of locations in your state, including their address, phone number, hours of operation and services provided at the location.
2. Remember that many local IRS offices are located in federal office buildings. This means they will be closed on federal holidays, and there may be restrictions on what you can carry into the building (for example cell phones with cameras are sometimes prohibited).
3. Call your local TAC once you have identified it. Most TACs operate on a first-come, first-served basis, but some now schedule appointments.

Using the IRS Mobile App

1. Download the IRS2GO mobile app from the iTunes or play store. There are apps in English and Spanish.
2. Use the app to find IRS phone numbers and local offices. Click “Stay Connected”, then “Contact Us” to quickly call up a list of IRS contact numbers or to be directed to a link where you can look up the nearest Taxpayer Assistance Center.
3. Check the status of your tax refund. The app makes it easy to check on your refund. Just enter your social security number, filing status, and the refund amount, and it will instantly tell you your status.
4. Find free tax help via the app. The IRS app will direct you to the nearest available organization that offers free tax assistance, giving you their address and phone number.

Using the Taxpayer Advocate Service

1. Contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service to answer your questions and for help with problems like audits, missing refunds, or identity theft. The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS created to help taxpayers deal with their problems. If you cannot work out your problem with the IRS, then the TAS will help you for free.
2. Send in IRS Form 911 via fax or mail. This form officially requests TAS assistance and allows you to specify your problem. You should receive a response within a week of TAS receiving the form.
   • NOTE: The TAS may contact a third party, such as a taxpayer advocate organization, to respond to your request.
3. Call 1-877-777-4778 to reach the TAS. A simple automated system will quickly direct you to an agent.
4. Use the TAS contact page to look up the office nearest you. Each state has at least one office. The contact page will give their phone number and address.

Tips

• You cannot contact the IRS via mail to make inquiries or complaints, but if you filing you taxes via mail, you can find the appropriate address to send your return here.

Related Articles

• Report a Suspicious IRS Email
• File a Complaint With the IRS
• Make a Settlement With the IRS
• File Back Taxes

Sources and Citations

See also

• Calculate CAGR in Excel
• Protect Your Finances Against Market Crashes
• Determine Your Federal Tax Bracket
• Write a Business Plan for a Small Business
• Turn Someone in to the IRS
• Fill Out a US 1040EZ Tax Return
• Get Companies to Send You Free Stuff
• Annualize
• Sign over a Check
• Find a Federal Tax ID Number

Read more ...