The IRS also says the longest waits typically fall on Mondays and Tuesdays. The average wait time to speak with an IRS employee is 27 minutes outside of tax season, but it can triple from January through April. While it can be frustrating to wait on hold or navigate through automated systems, it’s important to remain patient and polite when speaking with an IRS representative. Clearly explain your issue or question, providing any relevant details or documentation to help them better understand your situation. By maintaining a calm and cooperative demeanor, you can foster more productive communication with the IRS. Before making the call, gather all the necessary forms and information that may be required during the conversation.

Making an appointment

It’s also crucial to understand the time zone difference when contacting the IRS. The IRS operates on local time, so if you are calling from a different time zone, you will need to adjust your call accordingly. For example, if you are on the East Coast and the IRS operates in Central Time, you might want to call earlier in the morning to ensure you reach them during their operating hours. Keep in mind that while this article provides general guidelines, there may be exceptions or special circumstances that could affect the IRS’ availability. It’s always a good idea to check the official IRS website or call their toll-free telephone assistance line for the most up-to-date information regarding their hours of operation.

How To Reach The IRS With Questions About Your Taxes

This comprehensive guide features optimized strategies for how to call the IRS and actually speak with someone in under 2 minutes. Certain taxpayers may qualify to get free tax return preparation and electronic filing help at a location near where they live. For more information, see Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly. If so, however, it wouldn’t be the first time filers are left hard up. By following these tips, you can enhance your communication with the IRS and increase your chances of resolving any tax-related issues efficiently.

• You can see the working hours of your local IRS office from here.
• If you worked with an enrolled agent or accountant to file your taxes, contact them to get further insight into your issue with the IRS.
• But automated “correspondence audits,” which are the most typical type of audit conducted, may continue apace.
• Lastly, maintain a patient and polite demeanor during the call.

It does not work and it never asks if you would like a call back. Has been since February or March I have been waiting for my refund. Logan is a practicing CPA and founder of Choice Tax Relief and Money Done Right. After spending nearly a decade in the corporate world helping big businesses save money, he launched his blog with the goal of helping everyday Americans earn, save, and invest more money. Meredith is a personal finance aficionado, marathon-runner, and stand-up comedian.

IRS Customer Service, Online Live Chat

In cases where conventional methods fall short, the Taxpayer Advocate Service is there to ensure that you receive the support you need. The Online Account serves as a valuable resource that is always open, offering guidance on where to file your return and even providing assistance from volunteers for tax preparation. It serves as a one-stop solution for individuals seeking online support for a wide range of tax issues. Communicating with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can be a daunting task, especially when you’re faced with time-sensitive questions or concerns for your clients’ taxes.

Online Services

This service has special responsibilities under the taxpayer’s bill of rights to ensure your case is resolved promptly. Nearly everyone who tried to reach the agency over the phone ran into some sort of glitch in 2022, with only 13% of callers reaching an IRS employee, according to the National Taxpayer Advocate’s report to Congress. But that was more people than in 2021 when just 11% reached someone at the agency. It will ask twice for you to enter your SSN before it will give the options THEN you press the choice. One change is on #9, the option is “3” for all other inquiries. If you are calling for a deceased taxpayer, you will need their death certificate and either a court approval letter or IRS Form 56 to speak to the IRS on behalf of the decedent.

E-File also offers real-time receipt confirmation, relieving taxpayers of concerns about successful submission. Knowing the hours of operation for IRS phone assistance along with the best times to call can help you more efficiently get your tax questions answered or issues resolved. The IRS has various toll-free numbers you can use to order forms, check refund status, ask account questions, and get help with tax issues.

Use the contact numbers below to get the help you need quickly. When contacting the IRS, it’s essential to have the correct forms and documents ready to ensure effective communication. This will help streamline the conversation and allow the IRS representative to better assist you. Be prepared to provide your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, prior year tax return, copies of the tax return you’re calling about, and any correspondence from the IRS.

• With the right approach, you can swiftly connect with an IRS representative to get your tax questions answered or issues resolved.
• You may work your way through automated systems only to be stuck on hold for hours, taking time out of your day.
• That’s likely a product of the IRS hiring more workers and fewer layers of complexity this tax season compared with earlier in the pandemic.
• One change is on #9, the option is “3” for all other inquiries.

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Whether you have questions about your taxes, need help with a payment plan, or have concerns about an audit, knowing the best time to call the IRS can save you time and frustration. Regardless of when you visit the IRS – whether it be during or off the tax season, the IRS local offices are open during weekdays. But, the IRS isn’t open during federal holidays just like any other federal agency.

Take your time to clearly explain your issue or question, and ask any necessary follow-up questions. Remember that the IRS representatives are there to assist you, so don’t hesitate to seek clarification or further guidance. Instead, you got the opposite result — a hefty bill from Uncle Sam. Don’t panic just yet, though, if you can’t afford to pay the balance. There are options to get out of the hot seat with the IRS, starting with a payment plan. Keep in mind that some topics may not be handled by IRS representatives.

The IRS expects more than 140 million individual tax returns for 2024 to be filed this season, which has a deadline of April 15, 2025. Over the past few years, the IRS has certainly made improvements on its phone service, as well as expanding online tools. Still, anyone who has tried calling the IRS knows it can seem impossible to get a real human to take your call. IRS telephone number hours run Monday through Friday from 7 what time does the irs close AM – 7 PM local time. As you might expect, peak call volumes result in longer wait times. Typically Monday and Tuesday after a tax deadline see high demand.

Here it is October 24th and I still have not heard anything about my refund and cannot get ahold of anyone at the IRS. Does anyone really work for the Government at the IRS anymore? I didn’t listen to any of the full prompts, enter my SSN or EIN, or waste any time at all, really. Instead, as soon as I heard an automated voice start the next prompt, I hit the next number. I pressed 1-2-3, and I was speaking with a real person within the minute. But not all questions can be answered by a computer—especially when it comes to your taxes.