- You might need to contact the IRS to inquire about your refund or request a tax transcript.
- There are many ways you can contact the IRS, including online, via phone, and in person.
- Though mail and fax contact is also possible, these services are limited and tend to be slower.
There are many reasons you might need to contact the IRS. Whether it's to inquire about your tax refund status, get a tax transcript, or ask for help tracking down a missing W-2, it's quite easy to contact the agency — and there are several ways to do it.
Contacting the IRS by phone
The main IRS number for individuals is 800-829-1040. If you have questions about business taxes, you'll call 800-829-4933.
For more specific requests, use the below numbers:
Contact reason | Number |
Find a free tax clinic | 1-800-906-9887 |
Request the IRS mail paper tax forms | 1-800-829-3676 |
Schedule an appointment with local IRS office | 1-844-545-5640 |
Report incorrect income on a substitute return | 1-866-681-4271 |
Enroll in the Electric Federal Tax Payment System | 1-800-555-4477 |
Make payment via the Electric Federal Tax Payment System | 1-800-555-4477 |
Order tax transcript | 1-800-908-9946 |
Check status of current-year tax refund | 1-800-829-1954 |
Check refund status for an amended return | 1-866-464-2050 |
The IRS claims that telephone wait times average three minutes during tax season (January through April) but qualifies that statement by saying some service lines may have longer wait times.
The agency says wait times are longer on Mondays and Tuesdays, during Presidents Day weekend, and around the April tax filing deadline.
From May through December, average phone wait times are 11 minutes, though they tend to be shorter on Wednesdays and Fridays, the IRS says.
Quick tip: Before reaching out by phone, make sure you have your Social Security or other taxpayer identification number, birth date, filing status, last tax return, and any IRS correspondence on hand. You may need these during your call.
Contacting the IRS online
The IRS has online tools for many common taxpayer requests. There are tools for setting up a tax payment plan, requesting your tax transcript, making a payment, checking on your refund, and viewing your individual tax account.
If none of those pages address your issue, check out this IRS directory.
Contacting the IRS in person
The IRS has more than 300 Taxpayer Assistance Centers stationed throughout the country. These offices are open by appointment only and offer face-to-face help for taxpayers in their area. You can use this tool to find the closest one near you.
Once you find a location, call the office to schedule an appointment. These offices are closed on federal holidays, and though hours vary by location, most are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Additional ways to contact the IRS
It's also possible to reach the IRS by mail, though the IRS typically prefers alternative methods. Additionally, correspondence by mail may take significantly longer than online, phone, and in-person options. According to the IRS, tax returns filed by mail could take at least several weeks more to process due to staffing limitations.
If you still prefer mail correspondence, the below info may help:
Contact reason | Resource |
To file your return | |
To change your address | See state-specific addresses at the bottom of this form |
To pay your taxes via check or money order | |
To request an installment agreement | See state-specific addresses at the bottom of this form |
Fax
Fax is another option you may use to contact the IRS in certain cases. You can use it when requesting a tax transcript, for example. The fax number for this request varies based on your location. Find the appropriate number for your transcript request at the bottom of this form. You can also apply for a taxpayer advocate or request an extension via fax.
Fax services are limited, though. Check the bottom of the form you're filing to see if there's a fax number included. If not — or if you have a question or concern — you'll need to contact the IRS directly via phone or in person.
Tips for contacting the IRS
Before contacting the IRS, make sure you have your Social Security or other taxpayer identification number, birth date, filing status, last tax return, and any IRS correspondence on hand. You may need these during your call, even if you're simply scheduling an in-person appointment.
If you're ever unsure about how to proceed with a tax concern, reach out to your local Taxpayer Assistance Center or speak to a tax professional. They can point you in the right direction.
If your situation is complicated and you don't want to contact the IRS directly, you may also give authorization to a tax professional to contact the IRS on your behalf by completing Form 8821 or via a power of attorney, Form 2848.
FAQs about how to contact the IRS
No, you cannot email the IRS. The IRS is only available by phone, mail, or in person.
Tax pros suggest that if you need to call the IRS, the best time to do it is as early in the morning as possible. Also, call volume picks up as the April 15 tax filing deadline approaches, so if you call earlier in the season you'll have a better chance at a shorter wait time.
Yes, you can get help with your taxes in person. You can use this tool to find the closest Taxpayer Assistance Center near you.
