We will also discuss the common contact methods available to communicate with the IRS. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to navigate the IRS and make your contact experience as smooth as possible. If you live very close to an office, Bell says you can also walk in to request an appointment for the future. If you take this route, he recommends taking your documents with you, just in case there’s an immediate opening. But before you pick up the phone to call the agency, search through the IRS.gov site to see if there are answers to your questions online. This service has special responsibilities under the taxpayer’s bill of rights to ensure your case is resolved promptly.
Don’t call the IRS if…
Before making that initial call, it’s crucial to be aware of the topics that agents can help with over the phone. While they can assist with a broad range of subjects, there are certain topics they cannot address. Check to see if your issue can be dealt with over the phone before calling to save time and frustration.
SSA-1099 tax form
It will ask twice for you to enter your SSN before it will give the options THEN you press the choice. One change is on #9, the option is “3” for all other inquiries. 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. Also, Mondays (followed by Tuesdays) tend to be the busiest days for IRS phone lines, so call later in the week if possible.
If your online account doesn’t have the information you need, Bell offers a few tips for maintaining your cool as you navigate IRS systems during this incredibly trying time. You may never reach a customer service representative, but if you get through, expect to wait on hold for some time. People who call the IRS’ main helpline number are having better luck at getting connected with a representative in a fairly reasonable amount of time. That’s likely a product of the IRS hiring more workers and fewer layers of complexity this tax season compared with earlier in the pandemic. During the past couple of tax seasons, it was notoriously hard to reach an actual human at the Internal Revenue Service.
I called the IRS earlier this month and was told to check back in a few weeks. I lost everything I owed in hurricane Ida and no help from anyone. Following this optimized 10-step method for how to speak to someone at the IRS sets you up for a swift, direct connection of under two minutes to get your tax issue resolved. Remember, successfully resolving tax issues often involves a combination of patience, preparation, and using the diverse range of resources at your disposal.
Contact Your Local IRS Office
If you need to visit an IRS office, it is often best to make an appointment to ensure you will be seen without a long wait time. You also should not call the IRS if you have a state tax issue. Reach out to the IRS only if you have federal tax-related questions.
To do this, I used what I like to call the “1-2-3” hack to reach an actual agent within 60 seconds. However, if you’re visiting your local IRS office early in the morning, it’s best to check their working hours at their website. You can see the working hours of your local IRS office from here.
Familiarize yourself with common tax scams and IRS protocol to protect yourself. what time does irs close The system should then transfer you to a live IRS agent who can help with your tax questions. Before picking up the phone, clearly determine the reason why you want to call the IRS. Outlining your specific tax issue or question ensures you find the fastest path to the appropriate department.
- We also offer accounting and tax services nationwide remotely.
- You can speak to a human at IRS if you don’t need to present any documents.
- If you decide to try it, DO pay attention to the prompts and don’t forget to think about what you’re hearing; the actual text they say has changed in minor ways, but the selections remain the same.
- They will get you the answer or let you know where to find it.
- These extended hours are not guaranteed and depend on annual IRS announcements.
For federal agencies
In general, taxpayers should go directly to a real person to get answers to their financial matters instead of checking online, says Alton Bell II, founder at Bell Tax Accountants & Advisors. I have tried this numerous times and it always tells me it cannot answer my call and hangs up on me. I’ve tried different times of day and different days of the week. Here it is October 24th and I still have not heard anything about my refund and cannot get ahold of anyone at the IRS. Does anyone really work for the Government at the IRS anymore? I didn’t listen to any of the full prompts, enter my SSN or EIN, or waste any time at all, really.
- Discover the availability of IRS support on weekends and explore digital tools for efficient tax assistance.
- IRS taxpayer assistance centers are open Monday through Friday, and some are closed for a brief period during the workday for lunch.
- You can avoid spending time on the phone by seeing what’s out there.
- More than 40 locations currently plan to be open on Feb. 11, with 58 offices currently scheduled for March 11.
- You can speak to someone at the IRS by phone or by visiting your local IRS office.
- The IRS offers robust information on its website, IRS.gov, including free tax publications and tax form instructions.
If your stimulus is why you want to connect to the IRS, know that you will need to claim the recovery rebate credit which is basically your stimulus payment. The economic impact payments were an advanced payment of this tax credit. In other words, the stimulus payment you’re expecting is the advanced payment of the recovery rebate credit. You can call your local IRS office to make an appointment and this will enable you to resolve your issues much faster.
Your local Internal Revenue Service is open Monday through Friday. The hours depend on the location and the workload of that specific office, but the usual hours are from 8 AM to 5 PM. If you’re visiting mid-day, you wouldn’t have problems such as the office being closed.
When visiting these centers, it’s essential to bring specific items, including a current government-issued photo ID, a taxpayer identification number such as a Social Security number, and any necessary tax documents. For those applying for or renewing an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), having the relevant documents prepared in advance is crucial. Additionally, there is a plea to prioritize health and safety by checking the CDC COVID Data Tracker for community-specific information. If feeling unwell, individuals are encouraged to reschedule their appointments. For those who prefer face-to-face interaction or have complex issues that require in-person help, visiting a local Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) is a viable option. These centers are spread across the country and offer services by appointment.
You may be able to avoid crowds on the phone lines by calling first thing in the morning or as the day winds down. Your first step should be to check your online account at IRS.gov. This free account is free to set up, and allows you to view information about your balances, prior tax records, payments and economic impact payments (better known as stimulus checks). The IRS has multiple phone numbers dedicated to handling different types of tax questions. All are open Monday through Friday but their operating hours vary.