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Call the IRS phone number

IRS phone number and customer service

Why wait so long when you call the IRS?

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, they are unwilling or unable to use these resources and heavily depend on the IRS customer service to get answers.

In the fiscal year 2018, only four out of ten taxpayers trying to call the IRS to reach a live assistant 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, make sure you have all the information that you need.

  • Social Security cards and birth dates 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 assistant 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 line 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 is early in the morning.

How do I get a person on the phone at IRS?

Getting a live person when you call the IRS can be a frustrating process. Fortunately, we can get 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 agent.

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Federal IRS phone number

Before you call the IRS, identify your needs to make the process easy. Special IRS phone numbers that can get you help 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

Get help at your local IRS office

If you still can’t reach a live person by trying the IRS phone number related to your needs, it’s time to think about other alternatives; one of them is to call the IRS local office near you. Most of the time, when you receive a letter from IRS and need to call, all the information you need is located on the top right-hand corner of the notice or letter that you received. It is of the utmost importance to carefully read the IRS letter as it contains the direct line and extension of the agent in charge of your case. Cannot find that information, don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance. The IRS also provides another assistance service called the Taxpayer Advocate Service. Find a Local Taxpayer Advocate in your area.