The IRS customer support works by providing assistance to taxpayers who have questions or concerns about their federal taxes. The IRS provides several ways to contact customer support, including by telephone, in-person, online, and by mail.
The IRS also provides assistance to taxpayers who are victims of identity theft or tax scams. The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers who are experiencing financial difficulties or who have problems with the IRS that have not been resolved through normal channels.
IRS Customer Service Phone Number
Note: If you need to check the status of your refund, file a form, get a tax transcript, or use many other services, it’s BEST to do it online at www.irs.gov/refunds. Please note that during tax season (January to April), the wait times for live assistance will be long. Expect to be on the phone for at least 40 minutes to 1 hour.
Here is how to call the IRS customer service: 1-800-829-1040 to get answers to your federal tax questions 24 hours a day.
Additional Numbers for IRS Customer Service:
Call the phone numbers listed below if you have one of the following concerns:
- Main IRS Phone Number: 1-800-829-1040
- Taxpayer Advocate Service: 1-877-777-4778
- Report Phishing and Other Scams: 1-800-366-4484
- Whistleblower Hotline: 800-829-0433
- Check the Status of an Amended Tax Return: 1-866-464-2050
- Report Incorrect Income on a Substitute Return: 1-866-681-4271
- Ask the IRS to Mail You Paper Tax Forms: 1-800-829-3676
- Tax Assistance for Deaf or Hard of Hearing: 1-800-829-4059
- Make an Appointment with a Local IRS Office: 1-844-545-5640
- Find a Tax Clinic Near You: 1-800-906-9887 or 1-888-227-7669
- Account or Tax Law Questions for Tax Pros: 1-800-829-8374
- E-filing Questions for Tax Pros: 1-866-255-0654
- Tax Practitioner Priority Service: 1-866-860-4259
- Overseas Tax Professionals: 1-512-416-7750 or 1-267-941-1000
IRS In-Person Customer Service
You can visit a local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) to get face-to-face help with your tax questions. You can find the nearest TAC by using the IRS’s Taxpayer Assistance Center Locator tool.
IRS Customer Support Site
You can visit the IRS website to get answers to your tax questions, check the status of your tax refund, and find tax forms and publications. The IRS website also provides an Interactive Tax Assistant tool that can help you with common tax questions.
IRS Mailing Address
You can send a letter to the IRS to request tax forms, publications, and other information. The mailing address for your letter depends on your location and the type of tax form or publication you need. You can find the correct mailing address by using the IRS’s Mailing Addresses for Forms and Publications tool.
IRS Assitance Services
- Tax Preparation Assistance: The IRS can help individuals find free tax preparation services. Taxpayers can also order current and prior year forms, instructions, and publications by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).
- Free Tax Services: The IRS offers a comprehensive listing of free tax services in Publication 910, Guide to Free Tax Services. Taxpayers can also find tax clinics near them by calling 1-800-906-9887 or 1-888-227-7669.
- Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS): TAS is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS and recommends changes that will prevent the problems from recurring. Taxpayers can contact TAS by calling the TAS toll-free case intake line at 877-777-4778 or TTY/TDD at 1-800-829-4059.
What You Need Before You Contact the IRS
- Personal Information: You’ll need to provide your or your dependents’ personal information to verify your identity. This includes the full name, date of birth, SSN, and/or filing status.
- Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number: You will need your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to verify your identity when speaking to the IRS.
- Tax Return or Tax Form: If you have a question about a specific tax return or form, you should have a copy of the return or form available when speaking to the IRS.
- Tax Preparer Tax ID Number or Personal Identification Number: You may need a personal identification number to confirm your identity. If you are a tax preparer calling on behalf of a taxpayer, you will need to provide your tax preparer tax ID number.
- Written Authorization: If you are calling on behalf of someone else, you will need written authorization in the form of Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization) or Form 2848 (Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative.
IRS Customer Service Number FAQs
What is the main IRS phone number?
The main IRS phone number is 800-829-1040
What are the hours of operation for the IRS phone number?
The IRS phone number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
What other IRS phone numbers are available for customer service?
The IRS has several other phone numbers available for customer service, including the Taxpayer Advocate Service (877-777-4778), the Whistleblower Hotline (800-829-0433), and the Tax Practitioner Priority Service (866-860-4259).
Can I check the status of my tax refund over the phone?
Yes, you can check the status of your tax refund by calling 1-800-829-1954
Can I order tax forms over the phone?
Yes, you can order tax forms by calling 1-800-829-3676
Can I schedule an appointment with a local IRS office over the phone?
Yes, you can schedule an appointment with a local IRS office by calling 1-844-545-5640
Can I get help with my tax return over the phone?
Yes, you can get help with your tax return by calling 1-800-829-1040
Can I report tax scams over the phone?
Yes, you can report tax scams by calling 1-800-366-4484
Can I get help with tax penalties over the phone?
Yes, you can report incorrect income on a substitute return by calling 1-866-681-4271
Can I get help with tax forms and documents over the phone?
Yes, you can ask the IRS to mail you paper tax forms by calling 1-800-829-3676
Services Offered by the IRS
Tax Filing Assistance:
- Free File: A partnership program with tax software providers to offer free tax filing services to qualifying taxpayers.
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE): Free tax help for taxpayers who qualify.
- Taxpayer Assistance Centers: Provide in-person help for tax-related issues.
Taxpayer Education:
- Provides educational resources and outreach programs to help taxpayers understand their tax responsibilities.
- Offers materials on their website, including publications, tutorials, and FAQs.
Tax Forms and Publications:
- Makes all tax forms and instructions available online.
- Sends out paper forms to individuals and businesses that request them.
Online Services:
- Where’s My Refund?: A tool to check the status of an individual’s tax refund.
- Online Payment Agreement: Allows taxpayers to set up a payment plan for their tax debt.
- Direct Pay: Lets taxpayers pay their individual tax bills or estimated tax payments directly from a checking or savings account for free.
- Get Transcript: Allows taxpayers to obtain a record of their past tax returns.
Taxpayer Advocacy Service:
- An independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS and recommends changes to prevent future problems.
International Taxpayer Service:
- Provides help for taxpayers living abroad, including tax filing assistance.
Identity Theft and Fraud Prevention:
- Offers assistance to victims of tax-related identity theft.
- Works to prevent fraudulent tax activity.
Dispute Resolution:
- Offers an appeals process for disagreements over tax liabilities.
- Provides information on the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
Special Programs:
- Offers initiatives such as the Fresh Start program, which helps taxpayers who owe taxes but struggle to pay them.
Information Reporting Program:
- Supplies resources and guidance for businesses and entities that need to report financial information to the IRS.
Collection and Enforcement Actions:
- Takes action to collect taxes owed and enforces tax laws, including placing liens and levies on property for unpaid taxes.
Employer and Business-Related Services:
- Provides Employer Identification Number (EIN) application processes.
- Offers guidance on employee taxes and reporting requirements.
E-filing Services:
- Encourages individuals and businesses to file taxes electronically for faster processing and refunds.
Audit Support:
- Provides information and assistance if a taxpayer is selected for an audit.
Change of Address:
- Allows taxpayers to update their address on file with the IRS.
Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier:
- Provides an online tool to see if a taxpayer may be eligible to settle their tax debt for less than the full amount owed.
About the IRS
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the revenue service of the United States federal government. It is responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing tax laws. The mission of the IRS is to provide top-quality service to taxpayers by helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities. The IRS is responsible for collecting taxes, processing tax returns, and enforcing tax laws.