The U.S. federal tax code, including the regulations that govern it, totals 75,000 pages! Not surprisingly, many taxpayers have a lot of questions on a myriad of topics and issues.
The IRS has a toll-free helpline to give you the answers you seek, or to clarify what that IRS notice you’re panicking over means.
Though getting to talk with a real person is now more a rarity than ever, if you stick with the sequence of phone prompts provided below, you just might end up with a live voice on the line.
If that doesn’t happen, at least the advanced AI-powered automated system can handle more types of inquiries than before, eliminating long waits on hold, reducing disconnects, and resulting in satisfying outcomes.
Following are tips on how to navigate the IRS phone center, other ways to contact the agency (including meeting with a real person, in-person), and when it may be wise to consult a tax professional.
Before you call the IRS, be prepared
To save time on your call—and avoid having to hang up and call back (especially if you win the live-person lottery)—be sure you have relevant documents and information handy.
This may include:
- Your Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification number (ITIN)
- The SSN of others on your return
- Filing status: single, head of household, married filing joint or separate
- A copy of the tax return you may be calling about
- Your prior-year return, to help verify your identity
- The IRS notice or letter you received that you need explained
- Any other document that may be relevant to your query
When’s the best time to call?
IRS toll-free phone support is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. (Alaska and Hawaii, go by Pacific time.)
Generally, the earlier you call the better. Seasonally, February is the height of the tax season, the busiest time at the IRS call center. If it can wait till after April 15th, it’s advisable to do so.
What phone sequence might result in a live IRS rep?
For individual filers the toll-free helpline is 1-800-829-1040.
When you call, you'll encounter an automated system designed to direct your call to the appropriate department. While menu options can and do change over time, here's a prompt sequence that’s worked at accessing a live voice in past, though there are no guarantees it hasn’t changed:
- Select your language, pressing 1 for English or 2 for Spanish.
- Press 2 for questions about your personal income taxes.
- Press 1 for questions about a form already filed or a payment.
- Press 3 for all other questions.
- Press 2 for all other questions.
- Make no entry when queried for the SSN.
- Press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.
- Press 3 for all other questions.
After a few minutes on hold, you'll have the option of pressing 1 to get into the callback queue so you don't have to continue to wait.
Other useful phone numbers to get to what you need:
- For questions about business returns call 1-800-829-4933
- Schedule appointment with a local IRS office: 1-844-545-5640
- Check status of your current-year tax refund: 1-800-829-1954
- Check status of an amended return: 1-866-464-2050
- Order a tax transcript: 1-800-908-9946
- Enroll in the Electric Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) or make a payment: 1-800-555-4477
- Report incorrect income on an IRS substitute return: 1-866-681-4271
Alternative ways to get IRS help
Didn’t get the information or reassurance you sought? Got disconnected (which can happen when the switchboard overloads)? Can’t wait on hold any longer? Here are other, often more expedient ways to reach the IRS:
The IRS “Let us help you” webpage
This is the holy grail of IRS online information, tools and resources that can help taxpayers in numerous ways. A sampling of the topics you can research and questions you can find answers to include:
- Filing a tax return
- Deciphering a letter or notice from the IRS
- Checking on your tax refund
- Identity theft, fraud and scams
- Business topics
- Correct or amend a return
- Tax payments and penalties
- IRS phone numbers
- Your local IRS office
- Free tax return help
- Frequently asked questions
IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers
These are the 300+ local offices where you can actually meet in person with an IRS representative. Since it’s appointment only, call 844-545-5640 and schedule your meeting plenty of time in advance so you don’t miss important filing deadlines.
To find the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center nearest you, see what services are available at that location, learn what to bring and how to prepare for your face-to-face meeting, visit the TAC webpage.
IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service
Imagine an independent organization within the IRS whose sole purpose is to ensure every taxpayer is treated fairly and knows their rights. That’s the mission of the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS). For example, they:
- Provide free tax assistance for low-income and over-60 taxpayers
- Help taxpayers resolve problems they weren’t able to with the IRS
- Advocate for taxpayers who believe the IRS is not working as it should
- Offer tips, tools and how-to articles on latest tax issues and topics
- Provide a database to report issues that may affect many taxpayers
Visit the TAS website to learn more. It’s heartening to know you’re not alone and can get the help and encouragement you need.
When it’s time to consult a tax professional
When your tax situation grows more complex—usually from major life events like getting a new job, losing one, marriage, divorce, having a child, moving, starting a business, requiring elder care, death of a loved one—it may be a good time to seek out an experienced pro to handle your taxes.
Not only will it ease the burden and mounting anxiety when tax season rolls around, a smart tax advisor can find deductions you weren’t even aware of and save you a substantial amount of money.
Power of attorney and other third-party authorizations
If the whole tax thing gets to be too much, you can authorize a family member, friend, attorney, tax professional, or other trusted person to deal directly with the IRS on your behalf.
Forms of representation include:
- Power of Attorney – Allows another, who must be authorized to practice before the IRS, to represent you in federal tax matters.
- Tax Information Authorization – Allows your appointee to receive/ review your confidential tax information for the period you determine.
- Third Party Designee – Designate a person on your tax form to discuss that specific tax return and year with the IRS.
- Oral Disclosure – Authorize IRS to disclose tax information to a person you bring into a phone call or meeting on a specific tax issue.
To access more information on authorizations and the forms you’ll need to set them up, visit the IRS webpage dedicated to this purpose.
We’re here to help, too
At DiMercurio Advisors, our knowledgeable and experienced tax team specializes in all aspects of small business and individual tax matters.
When you engage us, you benefit from the combined wisdom and savvy of all of us, not just the tax associate assigned to your account.
You’ll also find our tax preparation fees reasonable and transparent (they’re published right here on our website).
And you’ll be impressed with our integrity and dedication to always putting the needs of our clients first. Book your free introductory call here.
The bottom line
Given huge staff and budget cuts buffeting the IRS, connecting with a live representative by phone may be an unrealistic approach to take.
But with the IRS’s ever more sophisticated AI-generated telephone support, you’re more likely to get the answer you seek without having to endure a marathon session of menu-option pinball and waiting on hold.
There are other ways to contact the IRS, from an in-person meeting at a local office, to simply finding the information you need on their website.
And at DiMercurio Advisors, you need to look no further than here to enjoy our expert tax services and outstanding client support:
