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IRS phone number

Call the IRS phone number and speak to a live person

Each year, it is estimated that the IRS receives over 95 million telephone calls on its toll-free lines. Although answers to taxpayers’ questions can be found on the IRS online services (www.irs.gov), they are unwilling or unable to use these resources and believe if they know how to talk to someone at the IRS will get them more accurate answers. It’s important to note that IRS customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, unless otherwise noted.

In the fiscal year 2018, only four out of ten taxpayers trying to reach a live person succeeded. To make the most out of your time when you need to call the IRS phone number, please follow our guided instructions.

Before you call the IRS phone number, make sure you have all the information that you need.

  • Social Security numbers and date of birth for those who were on the tax return you are calling about.
  • Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) letter if you don’t have a Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Filing status – Single, Head of Household, Married Filing Joint or Married Filing Separate
  • Prior-year tax return. The agent may need to verify your identity before answering certain questions
  • A copy of the tax return you’re calling about
  • Any letters or notices you received

IRS phone number for individuals

The IRS phone number dedicated for individuals to call the IRS is 1-800-829-1040, and the representatives are available from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday thru Friday.

The best time to call IRS is early in the morning.

How do you speak to a live person at the IRS?

Trying to get IRS customer service and speak to a live person can be a frustrating process. Fortunately, we can get you to talk to a live person in less amount of wait time possible by applying the 10 steps below:

Step 1 – When you call the IRS, the first question the automated system will ask you is to choose your language.

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

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

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

Step 5 – Next, press 3 “for all other questions.”

Step 6 – Next, 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 an IRS live person.

Call the IRS
How to contact IRS

Federal IRS phone number

Before you call the IRS customer service, identify your needs to make the process easy. Special federal IRS phone numbers that can get you to speak to a live person faster.

For tax assistance for the deaf and hard of hearing, call 1-800-829-4059

Individuals : 1 (800) 829-1040
Monday – Friday: 7am – 7pm Local time

Businesses: 1 (800) 829-4333
Monday – Friday: 7am – 7pm Local time

Victims of Identity Theft: 1 (800) 908-4490
Monday – Friday: 7am – 7pm Local time

Taxpayer Advocate Service: 1 (877) 777-4778
Monday – Friday: 7am – 7pm Local time

Exempt Organizations, Retirement Plan Administrators, Government Entities: 1 (877) 829-5500
Monday – Friday: 8am – 5pm Local time

International Services: 1 (267) 941-1000
Monday – Friday: 6am – 11pm Eastern time

Call IRS phone number - Local IRS office appointment

Get help at your local IRS office

If you still can’t reach a live person by trying the federal IRS phone number related to your needs, it’s time to think about other alternatives; one of them is to contact you local IRS office. The Taxpayer Assistance Center at your local IRS office operates by appointment only, make yours by calling the appointment number for that office. Appointment times vary by tax issues and office locations.

Most of the time, when you receive a notice letter and need to call to talk to someone at the IRS, all the information you need is located on the top right-hand corner of the notice that you received. It is of the utmost importance to carefully read the notice as it contains the IRS contact number of the agent in charge of your case. Cannot find that information, don’t hesitate to contact H&S Accounting & Tax Services for assistance. The IRS also provides another tax assistance service called the Taxpayer Advocate Service. Find a Local Taxpayer Advocate in your area.