IRS Customer Service Phone Number and Hours

The main IRS phone number is 800-829-1040, but this list of lesser-known IRS phone numbers could help you talk to a live person faster.

Tina Orem
Assistant Assigning Editor | Taxes, small business, Social Security and estate planning, home services

Tina Orem is an editor at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet. She has been a financial writer and editor for over 15 years, and she has a degree in finance, as well as a master's degree in journalism and a Master of Business Administration. Previously, she was a financial analyst and director of finance for several public and private companies. Tina's work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets.

Lei Han
Professor of accounting

Lei Han, Ph.D., is an associate professor of accounting at Niagara University in Western New York and a New York state-licensed CPA. She obtained her Ph.D. in accounting with a minor in finance from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her teaching expertise is advanced accounting and governmental and nonprofit accounting. She is a member of the American Accounting Association and New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.

At NerdWallet, our content goes through a rigorous editorial review process. We have such confidence in our accurate and useful content that we let outside experts inspect our work.

Sabrina Parys
Assistant Assigning Editor | Taxes, Investing

Sabrina Parys is an assistant assigning editor on the taxes and investing team at NerdWallet, where she manages and writes content on personal income taxes. Her previous experience includes five years as a copy editor and associate editor in academic and educational publishing. She is based in Brooklyn, New York.

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.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

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.

Simple tax filing with a $50 flat fee for every scenario

With NerdWallet Taxes powered by Column Tax, registered NerdWallet members pay one fee, regardless of your tax situation. Plus, you'll get free support from tax experts. Sign up for access today.

for a NerdWallet account

Maximum refund guaranteed

*guaranteed by Column Tax

IRS customer service hours

You're welcome to 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 11 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 [0]

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 to help faster. We've also included links to our articles on a number of topics, which might save you a call.

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.

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

Taxpayer Advocate Service: 877-777-4778

Interpretation services: 800-829-1040 (Spanish); 833-553-9895 (all other languages)

Estate and gift tax questions: 866-699-4083

Excise tax questions: 866-699-4096

Help getting an employer identification number: 800-829-4933

Status of application for adoption taxpayer Identification number: 737-800-5511

Identity and refund theft victims; get a new IP PIN: 800-908-4490

Report phishing and other scams; see if an IRS agent's name/badge number are legit: 800-366-4484

Learn more about tax scams .

Check status of an amended tax return: 866-464-2050

Learn more about filing and tracking amended tax returns .

Report incorrect income on a substitute return: 866-681-4271

Tax forms and documents

Ask IRS to mail you paper tax forms: 800-829-3676

Order a tax transcript: 800-908-9946

Learn more about requesting tax return and tax transcripts from the IRS.

Lost ITIN documents: 800-908-9982

Check status of a tax refund: 800-829-1954

Learn more about tracking the status of your tax refund .

Check status of a tax refund being held: 866-897-3315

Learn more about tax refunds .

See which debts will offset your tax refund: 800-304-3107 ; 800-877-8339 (TTY/TDD)

Learn more about tax relief .

Payments and balances

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 .

Tax assistance for taxpayers who are deaf or hard of hearing: 800-829-4059

Ask IRS to mail you large-print or Braille tax forms, publications or notices: 800-829-3676

Help with business tax return: 800-829-0115

Self-employed taxpayers with account or tax law questions: 800-829-4933

International Taxpayer Advocate: 787-522-8601 (English); 787-522-8600 (Spanish)

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

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 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 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:

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 [0]

. Also be aware that there are some topics that an assistor may not be able to help with. The IRS has more information and resources here .

Simple tax filing with a $50 flat fee for every scenario

With NerdWallet Taxes powered by Column Tax, registered NerdWallet members pay one fee, regardless of your tax situation. Plus, you'll get free support from tax experts. Sign up for access today.

for a NerdWallet account

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."

Below are links to some of the digital services offered by the IRS.

There are also several tools that can help you track down your return:

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 [0]

. You can also make changes to payment plans, or schedule or cancel payments through your online account [0]

In 2022, the IRS began rolling out voice bots, or automated assistants, on a number of lines to assist taxpayers with common issues or questions. If you're routed through one of these voice bots when you call the agency, you might be able to get a quick answer to a simple question. If you need more assistance, the agency says you can still speak with a live representative and also check out its self-service options .

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 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.

Avoid tax scams . The IRS does not:

You’re following Tina Orem
Visit your My NerdWallet Settings page to see all the writers you're following.

Tina Orem is an editor at NerdWallet. Before becoming an editor, she was NerdWallet's authority on taxes and small business. Her work has appeared in a variety of local and national outlets. See full bio.

You’re following Sabrina Parys
Visit your My NerdWallet Settings page to see all the writers you're following.

Sabrina Parys is a content management specialist on the taxes and investing team at NerdWallet, where she manages and writes content on personal income taxes. Her work has appeared in The Associated Press, The Washington Post and Yahoo Finance. See full bio.

On a similar note.

Download the app

Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific product's site. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institution's Terms and Conditions. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion® directly.

NerdUp by NerdWallet credit card: NerdWallet is not a bank. Bank services provided by Evolve Bank & Trust, member FDIC. The NerdUp by NerdWallet Credit Card is issued by Evolve Bank & Trust pursuant to a license from MasterCard International Inc.

Impact on your credit may vary, as credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations.

NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539

California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812

Insurance Services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no.OK92033) Insurance Licenses

NerdWallet™ | 55 Hawthorne St. - 10th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105