IRS Phone Numbers, Online Contacts

We recommend you first explore these online contact options before you call the IRS as the phone holding times might be longer than usual during tax season. Since 2020 and into 2023, the IRS live phone assistance is very limited and you might experience long wait times. The IRS is available from 7am-7pm, Monday-Friday EST. and the best time to call them is in the early morning.

Online Resources Before You Call

Use these quick links on popular subjects to find answers to your questions before waiting on hold with the IRS.

• Where is my IRS tax refund?
• Where is my state tax refund?
• Renew your IP-PIN - register or retrieve your IRS IP PIN
• Your IRS tax amendment - see the status of your amendment here
• Status of state tax amendment
• Find your IRS mailing address
• Contact state tax agencies
• Pay your IRS and state taxes online for free via direct bank transfer or credit card
• Access IRS and state tax return rejection codes
• Search for free IRS and state tax forms, publications
• Previous year or back taxes IRS forms and addresses
• Download the IRS app, IRS2GO, to your mobile device
• Make an appointment at a local IRS office
• Low Income taxpayer clinics
• Contact a Taxpert via your Personal Tax Support and Communications Page.

When you call the IRS at their main number, 1-800-829-1040, you might be asked to provide any of the following information:

• Social Security numbers (SSN) and birth dates or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for taxpayers without a Social Security number
• Tax return filing status: single, head of household, married filing jointly, married filing separately, widow(er)
• Questions about prior-year tax return, such as your adjusted gross income
• The tax year of the tax return you’re calling about
• Any IRS correspondence or notice sent to you.

If you call on behalf of another taxpayer:

• Tax Information Authorization Form 8821
• Or Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative
• In case of a deceased taxpayer the death certificate, court approval letter or IRS Form 56, Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship (for estate executors).

The table below shows all current IRS contact numbers by subject; you can start with the main hotline, use the number on an IRS notice you may have received, or call by subject.

If the above resources do not help, contact a Taxpert for premium support via your Personal Support Page.

Create your IRS account

You should register your IRS account so you can monitor the following activities in your IRS account:

• Your IRS tax payment balance by tax year
• Create an IRS tax payment plan if you owe taxes
• Access your tax records: tax return data, transcripts, and other records
• View economic impact payment amounts, including stimulus checks and advance Child Tax Credit payments during 2020 and 2021
• Copies of notices and letters from the IRS, such as IRS Letter 6419 or 6475
• Apply for an IRS IP-PIN or Identity Protection or Personal Identification Number

When you register your IRS account here are samples of what you might need to verify your identity during the 15 minute IRS account registration process:

Free Online Tax Transcript | or Create, Access Your IRS Account
Or call 1-800-908-9946

Here is what you will need to verify your identity during the 15-minute IRS account and registration process through ID.me:

• A valid email address: check your spam folder during the process as you might get emails from the IRS.
• Your valid Social Security Number - SSN - or Individual Tax Identification Number - ITIN.
• The tax filing status of your latest tax return. Obtain a copy digitally or retrieve a physical copy.
• The mailing address on that tax return. Enter the exact address as shown on the last return. Note: If you just filed a return with a new address, try entering the old address as that might still be stored.
• In case of a PO Box address, enter "PO Box" in the "Address Line 1" field with no periods and the number, e.g., PO Box 123.
• Military Address: Enter APO, FPO or DPO as the ‘City’ and select/enter AA, AE, or AP from the ‘State/U.S. Territory’ dropdown.
• A foreign address can only be registered for the online payment portal, not IP-PIN, transcript, etc. See more: information on taxes for foreign aliens and U.S. Citizens and resident aliens working or living abroad.
• Financial account number(s) linked to your name. For example, you might be asked to enter or select the last 8 digits of your credit card - American Express, debit, or corporate cards are excluded. Your financial information will be verified by Experian; some account numbers could fail the verification process.
• Loans: You might be asked to enter your student loan account number - the number might consist of numbers and/or letters, but does not include any symbols - provided on your student loan statement. Student loans issued by Nelnet can not be verified.
• Or, you might be asked to verify or enter mortgage information or home equity loan data.
• Or, verify or enter home equity line of credit or auto, car loan information.
• A mobile phone must be linked to your name; it must be U.S. based and able to receive text messages. During registration, you will receive a one-time activation code to your mobile phone number. You have limited time to enter this code.
• If you do not have a U.S. based phone registered in your name, select to receive the activation code by postal mail. Once you have the code, you have 30 days to complete your account registration. After that, you can download the IRS mobile app to receive codes.
• If for any other reason you can not register with your phone, request the activation code by mail.
• During the registration process or later, you might receive tax messages originated from IRS number 77958 or phone number: 202-552-1226. If you previously opted out of receiving text messages, send this text message: Text IN to 77958.
• No longer required: A mobile phone or computer with a camera. The ID.me registration process will require a "live selfie" which would use biometric data to compare your facial features to a government issued ID, such as a driver's license. The IRS is no longer requiring this as of February 7, 2022 due to backlash.

We at Taxpert will never require you to provide personal details when you have a free account. When you contact us through the email connected to your account, you can be assured that your data is secure as only you can access your Personal Support Page. See Taxpert contact options to get started.

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