How to speak to person at irs

Getting ahold of someone at the IRS over the phone is notoriously difficult, but it can be done if you select the correct options — and are willing to wait a bit.

Step-by-step instructions on which menu options to select are below, but keep in mind that if the IRS phone lines are particularly understaffed that day, you may be facing a long wait time to reach someone at the IRS, even if you correctly follow the steps below.

Although the IRS phone lines are open between 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM in your local time (with Alaska and Hawaii following Pacific Time), the IRS says that the best time to call is before 10:00 AM.

In my experience, the earlier you call, the better.

Also, Mondays (followed by Tuesdays) tend to be the busiest days for IRS phone lines, so call later in the week if possible.

Can’t pay your taxes?  Watch this YouTube video.

How to Speak to Someone at the IRS (Step-by-Step)

Here’s exactly how to speak to someone at the IRS over the phone:

1. Call 1-800-829-1040 between the hours of 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM local time.

2. Press “1” for English or “2” for Spanish.

3. Press “2” for “answers about your personal income taxes.”

4. Press “1” for “questions about a form you have already submitted or a payment or to order a tax transcript.”

5. Press “3” for “all other questions about your tax history or payment.”

6. Press “2” for “all other questions about your tax history or payment.”

7. Do not input your Social Security Number when the recording tells you to.

8. Press “2” for “personal- or individual-tax related question.”

9. Press “4” for “all other inquiries.”

10. Wait to be connected to someone at the IRS.

According to the IRS, the IRS phone wait time varies based on what month it is.  See the table below for average wait times by time of year.

IRS Call Wait TimesTime of YearAverage Wait TimeBusiest DaysFiling Season
(January - April)15 MinutesMondays
Tuesdays
Presidents Day Weekend
Around April 15Post-Filing Season
(May - December)27 MinutesMondays
Tuesdays

Information You Need When Calling the IRS

When you call the IRS, make sure you have this information handy:

• Your Social Security number and birth date
• Your filing status
• Your previous year’s tax return
• Any correspondences (letters, notices, etc.) from the IRS pertaining to your question

If you are calling for somebody else, you will need their information as well as a valid Form 8821 or Form 2848.

If you are calling for a deceased taxpayer, you will need their death certificate and either a court approval letter or IRS Form 56 to speak to the IRS on behalf of the decedent.

What the IRS Will Not Discuss With You Over the Phone

According to the IRS, IRS telephone operators cannot assist with every question.  Here is a partial list of topics that you will not be able to get help with from an IRS operator over the phone:

Trying to speak to a live person at the IRS can be a frustrating process, especially during tax season. Fortunately, we put together a simple 10 steps process that shows you how to talk to a live IRS representative in approximately five minutes or less.

After you dial the 1-800-829-1040 or 1-800-829-0922 number, follow these steps:

Step 1 – The first question the automated system will ask you is to choose your language – Press 1 for English or 2 for Spanish.

Step 2 – Once you’ve set your language, do NOT choose Option 1 (regarding tax refund info).

Step 3 – Choose option 2 for “Personal Income Tax” instead.

Step 4 – Press 1 for “form, tax history, or payment”.

Step 5 – Press 3 “for all other questions.”

Step 6 – Press 2 “for all other questions.”

Step 7 – When the system asks you to enter your SSN or EIN to access your account information, do NOT enter anything.

Step 8 – After it asks twice, you will be prompted with another menu.

Step 9 – Press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.

Step 10 – Finally, press 4 for all other inquiries. The system should then transfer you to a live IRS agent.

For many, trying to reach a live person at IRS customer service can be a frustrating process. Fortunately, the steps above, the right IRS phone number, and some planning can get you to talk to someone at the IRS very quickly.

It’s taking us longer to process mailed documents including paper tax returns. We’re processing all mail in the order we receive it. Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS. Get the latest information on IRS operations and services.

Child Tax Credit

Many families received advance payments of the Child Tax Credit in 2021. You can see your advance payments total in:

• Your online account
• your Letter 6419

Reconcile (compare) the total you received with the amount you're eligible to claim when you file your 2021 tax return.

If you didn't receive advance payments, you can claim the full amount of the 2021 Child Tax Credit if you're eligible — even if you don't normally file a tax return. To claim the full Child Tax Credit, file a 2021 tax return.

For more information see Tax Year 2021/Filing Season 2022 Child Tax Credit Frequently Asked Questions.

Coronavirus Tax Relief

• Coronavirus tax relief
• Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus)
• Recovery Rebate Credit

File a Return

Getting ready

• Incorrect, lost, or never received W-2
• Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

Filing help

• Free tax preparation help
• Choose a tax professional

Filing

File an accurate return and use e-file and direct deposit to avoid delays.

• Free File your return
• E-file options for individual taxpayers
• Direct deposit your refund
• File for a deceased taxpayer
• Filing past due tax returns
• Sign your e-filed return with your adjusted gross income (AGI)

Note: You can’t get your AGI over the phone. To get your AGI quickly, order a tax transcript online or access your Online Account.

Filing by mail

• Find a Mailing Address

It’s taking us longer to process mailed documents including paper tax returns. We’re processing all mail in the order we receive it. Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS. Get the latest information on IRS operations and services.

Common questions

Use our Interactive Tax Assistant to answer your tax-related questions, such as:

• Are your unemployment benefits taxable?
• Should you file?
• What is your filing status?
• Are your Social Security benefits taxable?
• Is your pension or annuity taxable?

Payments and Penalties

Payments

• Payment options
• Payment plan or installment agreement
• View your balance and payment activity
• Help for struggling taxpayers
  • Offer in Compromise

Liens and levies

• Understanding a federal tax lien
• Understanding a levy
• Publication 594, The IRS Collection ProcessPDF

Resolve a dispute

• Office of Appeals

Prevent future tax bill

• Tax Withholding Estimator
• Estimated payments

Penalties

• Penalty relief/abatement

Get a Tax Transcript

• Order a tax transcript
• Transcript types
• Alternatives if you can’t verify your identity to get your transcript online
• Get a letter of non-filing
• Get Transcript Frequently Asked Questions

Letter from the IRS

• Understanding your IRS notice or letter
• Verify your identity (5071C)

• Verify your identity (4883C)

• We changed your return (CP12)

• Imminent levy notification (CP504)

• Income reporting or payment error (CP2000)

• Balance due reminder (CP71A)

• Dependent’s Social Security number listed on another return (CP87A)

• Change your language preference for written communications from the IRS

It’s taking us longer to process mailed documents including paper tax returns. We’re processing all mail in the order we receive it. Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS. Get the latest information on IRS operations and services.

Correct/Amend a Return

• Should you file an amended return
• Where’s My Amended Return?
• Amended Return Frequently Asked Questions

To check the status of your amended return:

• You must wait 3 weeks after filing the form before using Where’s My Amended Return? tool.

You should only call if:

• It has been more than 16 weeks since you mailed the amended return; or
• The Where’s My Amended Return? tool directs you to call us.

Identity Theft, Fraud and Scams

Identity theft

• Identity Theft Central
• Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft
• Protect your data
• IRS notice 4883C or CP01
• Verify your identity
• Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)

Scams

• Report phishing, calls and email scam

Fraud

• How to report suspected tax fraud activity
• Make a complaint about a tax return preparer

Business Topics

• E-file your employment taxes
  • Apply for an e-file signature PIN
• Employer Identification Numbers (EIN)
  • Apply for an EIN online
• File Form 2290 online

It’s taking us longer to process mailed documents including paper tax returns. We’re processing all mail in the order we receive it. Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS. Get the latest information on IRS operations and services.

 Telephone and Local Assistance

Mail Processing Delays

It’s taking us longer to process mailed documents including paper tax returns. We’re processing all mail in the order we receive it.

If you mailed a tax return and haven’t yet heard from us, don’t call or file a second return. Find expected wait times for current IRS operations and services.

IRS Phone Numbers and Tax Help Options

Telephone assistors can help with many topics but see the list of topics our assistors can’t address.

Verify your identity when you call

Our representatives must verify your identity before discussing your personal information.

Have the following ready when you call:

Individuals

• Social Security numbers (SSN) and birth dates
• Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for taxpayers without a Social Security number
• Filing status – single, head of household, married filing joint, or married filing separate
• Prior-year tax return
• Tax return you’re calling about
• Any correspondence we sent to you

Third parties calling for someone else

• Verbal or written authorization to discuss the account
• Taxpayer’s name, SSN or ITIN
• Tax return you're calling about
• Valid Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization or Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative
• Preparer tax identification number or personal identification number

Third parties calling for a deceased taxpayer

• Death certificate
• Court approval letter or our IRS Form 56, Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship (for estate executors)

IRS phone number - Call Wait Times

Filing Season
(January - April)

• Telephone service wait times can average 13 minutes. Some telephone service lines may have longer wait times.
• Telephone service wait times are higher on Monday and Tuesday, during Presidents Day weekend and around the April tax filing deadline.

Post-Filing Season
(May - December)

• Telephone service wait times can average 19 minutes. Some telephone service lines may have longer wait times.
• Telephone service wait times are generally higher on Monday and Tuesday.

Our help lines are open Monday through Friday. Residents of Alaska and Hawaii should follow Pacific time. Phone lines in Puerto Rico are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time.

Individuals
800-829-1040
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time

Businesses
800-829-4933
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time

Non-profit taxes
877-829-5500
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time

Estate and gift taxes (Form 706/709)
866-699-4083
8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern time

Excise taxes
866-699-4096
​​​​​8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time

Overseas callers
Use our International Services page. 

Callers who are hearing impaired
TTY/TDD 800-829-4059

Interpretation Services
If you can't find the answers to your tax questions on IRS.gov, we can offer you help in more than 350 languages with the support of professional interpreters. For assistance in Spanish, call 800-829-1040. For all other languages, call 833-553-9895. You will reach an IRS assistor who can:

• Provide an interpreter over the phone, or
• Schedule an appointment for you at one of our local Taxpayer Assistance Centers so you can get help face-to-face. Please note, our local offices provide assistance only on specific topics.

Requesting a face-to-face meeting for help
You can make an appointment at an IRS local office to get help. Appointment times vary by tax issues and office locations. 

To help protect taxpayers and employees, the COVID-19 Screening Tool is available for people to self-screen for symptoms. This tool is for optional use by IRS employees, taxpayers, tax professionals and others prior to entering an IRS facility. The IRS is committed to protecting against further spread of COVID-19, and we encourage people to use this self-screening tool prior to visiting IRS facilities.

You can find the office closest to you with our Taxpayer Assistance Locator tool. Once you find your local office, see what services are available. Then, call 844-545-5640 to schedule an appointment.