Let Us Help You

Payments

• Payment options
• Payment plan or installment agreement
• Financial hardship
• View your balance and payment history

Liens and levies

• Understanding a federal tax lien
• Understanding a levy

Resolve a dispute

• Office of Appeals

Prevent future tax bill

• Withholding calculator
• Estimated payments

Penalties

• Penalty relief/abatement
• Penalty relief for under withholding
• Help for struggling taxpayers 

• Where’s My Refund?
• Refund less than expected
• Received a refund but wasn't expecting one
• Lost refund
• Frequently Asked Questions

Expecting a refund?

• The IRS issues more than 9 out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days.

When to check status of your refund:

• Within 24 hours after we've received your e-filed tax return; or
• 4 weeks after mailing your paper return.

You should only call if:

• It has been 3 weeks or more since you filed electronically (11 weeks if Form 8379, Injured Spouse was included);
• It has been more than 6 weeks since you mailed your paper return (14 weeks if Form 8379, Injured Spouse was included); or
• Where’s My Refund? directs you to contact us.

• 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
• Frequently Asked Questions

Identity theft

• Prevention, detection, and victim assistance
• Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft
• Protect your data
• Got a notice from the IRS (4883C, CP01)
• Verify your identity

Scams

• Report suspicious calls and emails

Fraud

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

• Should you file an amended return
• Where’s My 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.

The IRS issues more than 9 out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days. Choose e-file and direct deposit as the fastest, safest, and most accurate way to file a return and receive your refund. We generally process mailed returns (individuals or business) within 4 - 6 weeks.

Filing decisions

• Decide if you should file
• Determine your filing status
• Are your Social Security benefits taxable
• Is your pension or annuity taxable
• Extend your time to file

Preparing to file

• Incorrect, lost, or never received W-2
• Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• Direct deposit your refund
• Tax return preparer directory

E-filing

• E-file options for individual taxpayers
• Free File tax software
• Find last year’s adjusted gross income (AGI) to e-file your return

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

Filing by mail

• Find a Mailing Address

• Understanding your IRS notice or letter
• Verify your identity (4883C)
• Verify your identity (5071C)
• Income reporting or payment error (CP2000)
• We changed your return (CP12)
• Balance due reminder (CP71A)
• Imminent levy notification (CP504)
• Dependent’s Social Security number listed on another return (CP87A)

• 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

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 15 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 27 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
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

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. 

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

IRS offices are closed on federal holidays.

Other Available Help
Certain taxpayers may qualify for free tax assistance.