IRS Phone Numbers: Options for Live Help - NerdWallet

The main IRS phone number is 800-829-1040, but that’s not the only IRS number you can call for help or to talk to a live person. Below, we've compiled a list of other IRS phone numbers to try so you can reach the people you need.

You're welcome to call the main IRS phone number Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. The agency's average telephone service wait time is three minutes during filing season (January through April) and 11 minutes during the off-season (May through December).

Call volume may be higher on Mondays and Tuesdays, around Presidents Day and in the weeks leading up to the tax deadline[0]

» MORE: How to find an IRS tax office near you

If you have a question about any of the topics below, one of these lesser-known IRS phone numbers might get you to help faster. We've also included links to our articles on a number of topics, which might save you a call.

If you need assistance with basic services, such as tracking your refund or looking up your amended tax return status, the IRS website also offers many self-service tools that can help.

General tax assistance

Make an appointment with a local IRS office: 844-545-5640

Learn more about how to find an IRS tax office near you.

Find a free tax clinic near you:800-906-9887;888-227-7669

Learn more about free tax help.

Taxpayer Advocate Service:877-777-4778

Learn more about a taxpayer's bill of rights.

Interpretation services:800-829-1040 (Spanish);833-553-9895 (all other languages)

Learn more about the IRS' multilingual tax resources and interpretation services.

Disaster victims:866-562-5227

Learn more about getting financial help after a disaster.

Estate and gift tax questions:866-699-4083

Learn more about inheritance tax and estate tax.

Excise tax questions:866-699-4096

Learn more about excise taxes.

Help getting an employer identification number:800-829-4933

Learn more about employer identification numbers.

Status of application for adoption taxpayer Identification number:737-800-5511

Learn more about tax ID numbers.

Tax trouble

Identity and refund theft victims; get a new IP PIN:800-908-4490

Learn more about identity protection PINs.

Report phishing and other scams; see if an IRS agent's name/badge number are legit:800-366-4484

Learn more about tax scams.

Whistleblower hotline:800-829-0433

Tax returns

Check status of an amended tax return:866-464-2050

Learn more about filing and tracking amended tax returns.

Report incorrect income on a substitute return:866-681-4271

Learn more about tax penalties.

Tax forms and documents

Ask IRS to mail you paper tax forms:800-829-3676

Learn more about IRS tax forms.

Order a tax transcript:800-908-9946

Learn more about requesting tax return and tax transcripts from the IRS.

Lost ITIN documents:800-908-9982

Learn more about tax identification numbers.

Tax refunds

Check status of a tax refund:800-829-1954

Learn more about tracking the status of your tax refund.

Check status of a tax refund being held:866-897-3315

Learn more about tax refunds.

See which debts will offset your tax refund: 800-304-3107; 800-877-8339 (TTY/TDD)

Learn more about tax relief.

Payments and balances

Balance due questions:800-829-0922;800-829-7650;800-829-3903

Learn more about IRS payment plans and installment agreements.

Make a payment using Electronic Federal Tax Payment System:800-555-4477 (English);800-244-4829 (Spanish)

Learn more about how to make an IRS payment.

See if bankruptcy changed your tax debt:800-973-0424

Learn more about how bankruptcy works.

Verify, pay off or resolve a tax lien:800-913-6050

Learn more about tax liens.

Accessibility

Tax assistance for taxpayers who are deaf or hard of hearing:800-829-4059

Learn more about this topic

Accessibility helpline:833-690-0598

Learn more about this topic

Ask IRS to mail you large-print or Braille tax forms, publications or notices:800-829-3676

Learn more about this topic

Self-employed taxpayers

Help with business tax return:800-829-0115

Learn more about small business tax preparation.

Self-employed taxpayers with account or tax law questions:800-829-4933

Learn more about self-employment tax.

International taxpayers

International Taxpayer Advocate:787-522-8601 (English);787-522-8600 (Spanish)

Learn more about this topic

Overseas taxpayers:267-941-1000

Learn more about the foreign tax credit.

Tax preparers and tax pros with account or tax law questions:800-829-8374

Tax preparers and tax pros with e-filing questions:866-255-0654

Tax practitioner priority service:866-860-4259

Overseas tax professionals:512-416-7750; 267-941-1000

Corporate taxpayers, partnerships and nonprofits:866-255-0654

Nonprofits with tax law or filing questions:877-829-5500

Government and tax-exempt entities:877-829-5500

International businesses that want an Employer Identification Number (EIN):267-941-1099

Domestic employers, payers and transmitters who need e-filing tech support:866-455-7438

International employers, payers and transmitters who need e-filing tech support:304-263-8700

For tax issues you may not be able to get help with online or by phone, you can visit an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center near you. These local IRS offices are typically open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

You'll generally need to schedule an appointment beforehand, but walk-in assistance may be available in some areas.

You can also visit your local Taxpayer Advocate Service, which is an independent organization within the IRS that can help people with tax problems they can't resolve on their own.

Once you're on the line with an IRS telephone assistor, you'll need to verify your identity to proceed. Make sure to have the following information handy before you call:

Social Security number or ITIN.

Date of birth.

Filing status.

Prior-year return and the tax return you're inquiring about.

Any IRS correspondence you've received (via email or your online account).

If you're calling on behalf of someone else or someone who is deceased, you'll need to have a few extra things gathered in addition to the above, including verbal/written authorization, a valid Form 8821 or Form 2848, and relevant paperwork such as a death certificate or court letter[0]

The IRS encourages people who have simple questions to start on its website, IRS.gov. The agency says its online resources are "the quickest and easiest option for help."

Below are links to some of the digital services offered by the IRS.

Tax tools for individual taxpayers.

Explore frequently asked tax law questions.

Interactive Tax Assistant.

There are also several tools that can help you track down your return:

How to check the status of your refund.

How to check the status of your amended tax return.

And if you're looking for certain information or records, such as your payment history or a tax transcript, setting up an online account with the agency can help you quickly gain access to these documents[0]

If it's a state tax issue you need help with, tap to see a list of phone numbers for state tax departments.

State

Phone number

Alabama

334-242-1170

Alaska

907-465-2300

Arizona

602-255-3381

Arkansas

501-682-1100

California

800-852-5711

Colorado

303-238-7378

Connecticut

860-297-5962

Delaware

302-577-8200

District of Columbia

202-727-4829

Florida

850-488-6800

Georgia

877-423-6711

Hawaii

800-222-3229

Idaho

208-334-7660

Illinois

217-782-3336

Indiana

800-457-8283

Iowa

515-281-3114

Kansas

785-368-8222

Kentucky

502-564-4581

Louisiana

855-307-3893

Maine

207-624-9620

Maryland

800-638-2937

Massachusetts

617-887-6367

Michigan

517-636-4486

Minnesota

651-556-3000

Mississippi

601-923-7700

Missouri

573-751-3505

Montana

406-444-6900

Nebraska

402-471-5729

Nevada

866-962-3707

New Hampshire

603-230-5000

New Jersey

609-292-6748

New Mexico

505-827-0700

New York

518-457-5149

North Carolina

877-252-3052

North Dakota

701-328-7088

Ohio

800-282-1780

Oklahoma

405-521-3160

Oregon

503-378-4988

Pennsylvania

888-728-2937

Rhode Island

401-574-8484

South Carolina

844-898-8542 Option 1

South Dakota

800-829-9188

Tennessee

800-342-1003

Texas

888-334-4112

Utah

801-297-2200

Vermont

802-828-2865

Virginia

804-367-8031

Washington

360-705-6705

West Virginia

304-558-3333

Wisconsin

608-266‑2486

Wyoming

307-777-5200

You can call every IRS phone number you want, but the IRS will rarely call you. It initiates most contacts, including demands for payment, through regular mail from the U.S. Postal Service. In very rare circumstances (such as those involving subpoenas and summonses), the agency may stop by for an announced visit. But if the agency needs to get in contact with you about any of the below, they will reach out by mail to schedule an appointment first.

A taxpayer has an overdue tax bill.

To secure a delinquent tax return.

To secure a delinquent employment tax payment.

Avoid tax scams. The IRS does not:

Call you to demand payment.

Initiate contact with you via email, text, social media or through third-party payment apps.

Ask you to pay your tax bill with prepaid cards, gift cards or wire transfers.

Threaten to call the police, immigration officers or other people to arrest you.

Revoke your driver’s license, business license or immigration status.