Call the IRS

IRS customer service and IRS phone number issues

Why can’t you reach a real person when you call the IRS? Each year, it is estimated that the IRS customer service receives over 95 million telephone calls on its toll-free lines. Although answers to taxpayers’ questions can be found on the IRS website (www.irs.gov), they are unwilling or unable to use these resources. They believe if they know the direct number to call and know how to talk to someone at the IRS will provide them with more accurate answers than looking online. It’s important to note that IRS customer service number has representatives 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 an IRS 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.

Prepare before you call

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

- The IRS number related to your 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 IRS 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

If you plan to call about your tax refund, the IRS indicates that its phone and walk-in representatives can only research the status of your refund 21 days after you filed electronically; 6 weeks after you mailed your paper return; or you can call if Where’s My Refund directs you to contact the office”

Best time to call the IRS

The main IRS phone number to talk to a person is 1-800-829-1040, and the irs customer service hours are from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. local time Monday thru Friday. This is also the IRS phone number for refund.

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

How do I get a real person on the phone at IRS? - IRS customer service number

Trying to get IRS customer service and speak to a live person can be a frustrating process. Fortunately, we put together a simple 10 steps process that shows you how to talk to someone at the IRS 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.

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.

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.

How to contact the IRS

IRS Customer Service Number

How to get through to irs customer service? Before you try to reach the IRS customer service, identify your needs to make the process easy. In addition to the main IRS phone number 800-829-1040 there are other numbers you can call for help or to speak to IRS customer service (IRS customer service number live person). Here’s a list of other IRS phone numbers and IRS customer service hours to try so you can reach an IRS live person faster.

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

IRS contact number for individuals : 1 (800) 829-1040
Monday – Friday: 7am – 7pm Local time

IRS phone number for businesses: 1 (800) 829-4333
Monday – Friday: 7am – 7pm Local time

IRS contact number for 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

Get help at a local IRS office

If you still can’t reach a live person by trying the federal IRS phone number (IRS customer service number live person) related to your needs, it’s time to think about other alternatives; one of them is to use the IRS office near me tool to find the IRS address next to your home. The Taxpayer Assistance Center at local offices operates by appointment only, make yours by calling the IRS phone 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. It is of the utmost importance to carefully read the notice as it contains the IRS customer service 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, they can also help with IRS refund.