How to Talk to a Live Person at the IRS
The tax deadline is approaching fast, and people still working on their tax returns may look to the IRS directly for help to quickly resolve issues. If you find yourself in this situation, how could you to talk to a live person at the IRS?
IRS Phone Numbers
Your first step in talking to a live person at the IRS is to find a valid phone number. The current phone numbers are always listed on the IRS’s website, as well as additional information regarding hours of availability if they differ from the general 7am to 7pm window advertised by the IRS.
Individuals
800-829-1040
Businesses
800-829-4933
Hearing Impaired
800-829-4059
Except Organizations, retirement plan administrators, and government
877-829-5500
Estate and gift tax
866-699-4083
Excise taxes
866-699-4096
Preparing to Talk to a Live Person at the IRS
IRS employees are extremely busy, especially during the tax season. Your issue will be resolved much easier and more quickly if you have the following information in front of you before you pick up the phone:
- Social Security Numbers (of Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) and birth dates of everyone on the tax return
- Filing status
- The current year’s tax return
- The previous year’s tax return
- Any letters or notifications received from the IRS
Without this information, the IRS representative may ask you to collect the information and then call back.
Wait Times
The IRS states the average wait time during filing season (January – April) as 15 minutes. Wait times may be longer on Monday and Tuesdays, on President’s Day weekend, and as the filing deadline approaches.
The average wait time during the off season (May – December) is 27 minutes, with wait time again being longer on Monday and Tuesdays.
Keep in mind these are average wait times, and may vary significantly in either direction on any given day.
Taxpayer Assistance Centers
Some areas have Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) which provide face-to-face services. To find a TAC in your area, use the Taxpayer Assistance Center Locator and then call 844-545-5640 to make an appointment. Taxpayer Assistance Centers operate by appointment only.
Many resources exist to help taxpayers answer tax related questions including tax professionals as well as online resources provided by the IRS. However, there are times when direct contact with a live person at the IRS is helpful or even required. For those situations the phone numbers provided or a face-to-face appointment with someone at a Taxpayer Assistance Center is an option.
Have you ever attempted to talk to a live person at the IRS? Were you able to get through, and how long did you have to wait?
More Tax Related Posts
- 6 Pieces Of Information You MUST Have Before Doing Your Taxes
- Tax Season: What Should You Do If You Can’t Pay Your Taxes?
- 4 Ways To Pay Your Taxes