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- You may need to contact the IRS to inquire about your refund or request a tax transcript.
- There are many ways to contact the IRS, including online, by phone, and at person. .
- Although contact by mail and fax is also possible, these services are limited and tend to be slower.
- see selections personal finance insider for the best tax software »
There are many reasons why you may need to contact the IRS. Fortunately, whether it’s to check on the status of your tax refund, get a tax transcript, or request an amended 1099 or W-2, it’s fairly easy to contact the agency, and there are several ways to do so, too. /p>
how to contact the irs
There are many ways to communicate with the IRS. You can connect with the agency online, by phone, in person, or even by fax or mail. see below for details on each.
1. contact online or by phone
The IRS has online tools for many of the most common taxpayer requests. there are tools to set up a tax payment plan, request your tax transcript, make a payment, check your refund, view your individual tax account, or access the child tax credit update portal.
If those tools don’t resolve your request, you can contact the agency by phone. the main number for individuals is 1-800-829-1040. For business tax questions, call 1-800-829-4933. these numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. m. to 7 p.m. m. from Monday to Friday.
for more specific requests, use the following numbers:
quick tip: before you call, be sure to have your social security number or itin, date of birth, filing status, most recent tax return, and any correspondence from the irs handy. you may need them during your call.
2. communicate by mail
It is also possible to contact the IRS by mail, although the IRS usually prefers alternative methods. Also, correspondence by mail can take much longer than online, phone, and in-person options. According to the IRS itself, mail-filed tax returns could take at least several more weeks to process due to staffing limitations.
If you still prefer correspondence by mail, the following information may help:
3. communicate by fax
Fax is another option you can use to contact the IRS in certain cases. you can use it when requesting a tax transcript, for example. the fax number for this request varies depending on your location. find the appropriate number for your transcript request at the bottom of this form. You can also request a taxpayer advocate or request an extension by fax.
however,
fax services are limited. check the bottom of the form you are submitting to see if there is a fax number listed. Otherwise, or if you have any questions or concerns, you will need to contact the IRS directly by phone or in person.
4. visit in person
the irs has more than 300 taxpayer assistance offices located throughout the country. These offices are open by appointment only and offer personal help for taxpayers in your area. you can use this tool to find the closest one near you.
once you find a location, call the office and make an appointment. these offices are closed on federal holidays, and although hours vary by location, most are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. m. to 4:30 p.m. m.
quick tip: bring your ID, social security number or tax identification number, and any other documentation or correspondence related to your application to the appointment. The IRS also requires that guests wear a face mask in areas with high rates of COVID-19 transmission or if they are unvaccinated.
the financial lesson
There are many ways to contact the IRS, and the right one depends on the exact request or question you have, as well as your comfort level with technology.
If you’re ever unsure how to proceed with a tax concern, contact your local taxpayer assistance center or speak with a tax professional. They can point you in the right direction. If your situation is complicated and you do not want to contact the IRS directly, you can also authorize a tax professional to contact the IRS on your behalf by completing Form 8821 or Power of Attorney Form 2848