For many taxpayers, there are few things in life more stressful than dealing with the IRS. And when you have questions about your business tax return, an IRS notice you received, or an upcoming audit, you need to know how to contact the IRS.
Read on to learn how to get in touch with the IRS by phone or by making an in-person appointment. And, find out what information you should have handy before initiating contact.
Reasons you may need to know how to speak to someone at IRS
The IRS offers robust information on its website, IRS.gov, including free tax publications and tax form instructions. You can view a list of online tools and resources here.
You can also set up an account to view business tax information, transcripts, balance due, and more.
But sometimes, these resources just aren’t enough. At some point, you may need to speak with a live person at the IRS.
For example, you may have questions about:
- A complicated tax situation
- Your business tax return
- An IRS notice or letter
- A tax payment or refund
- Amended tax returns
- An audit
- Your misplaced Employer Identification Number (EIN)
How to contact the IRS
You can speak to someone at the IRS by phone or by visiting your local IRS office.
How do I contact the IRS by phone?
The IRS main phone number for business tax returns is 800-829-4933. But there are several other IRS phone numbers, depending on the department you need.
Here are some phone numbers, broken down by department:
| Reason for Calling | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Individual tax returns | 800-829-1040 |
| Partnerships | 866-255-0654 |
| Corporate taxpayers | 866-255-0654 |
| Taxpayers with account or tax law questions | 800-829-8374 |
| Lost or misplaced EIN | 800-829-4933 |
| Refund hotline (automated) | 800-829-1954 |
How do I contact my local IRS office?
You may want to visit an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center to help you with questions about tax forms, payment arrangements, and more.
To speak with someone at the IRS in person, you need to:
- Find an office near you
- Call to make an appointment
- Bring all required information
Find an office near you: Use the Taxpayer Assistance Center Office Locator to find an office near you. You can search by state to see all offices in the state, or enter your zip code to see how far away the office is from you.
Call to make an appointment: The IRS lists the phone number to call to make an appointment at your preferred local office.
Bring all required information: An in-person appointment with an IRS agent requires that you bring information such as a current government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license), a copy of your filed tax return for the year in question, taxpayer identification number (e.g., EIN), and supporting tax documents.
Information you need when calling the IRS
Before you call the IRS or visit a local office, be prepared so they can verify your identity. Gather all relevant information about your business—and the question you’re calling about.
According to the IRS, you need the following information ready:
- Taxpayer identification number (e.g., SSN) and birth dates of those named on the tax return
- Prior-year tax return
- Tax return you have questions about
- IRS letters or notices you’ve received
Be sure to also bring two original forms of ID if you are visiting a local IRS office, such as a driver’s license and a copy of the tax return for the year in question (if filed).
IRS customer service hours
You can call the IRS business line (800-829-4933) between 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m Monday through Friday.
Local offices are typically open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with many extending hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays during tax season.
| Pro Tip |
|---|
| Consider calling the IRS early in the morning to decrease your chance of waiting on hold for extended periods. Good luck! |
Don’t call the IRS if…
When shouldn’t you call the IRS? There are a few times when calling the IRS isn’t the best move.
Before calling the IRS, look through their website to see if they have readily accessible answers to your questions. You can avoid spending time on the phone by seeing what’s out there.
Here are a few tips:
- Review the IRS’s “Frequently asked questions and answers”
- Do a site search for your query by going to Google and typing site:irs.gov QUERY
- Ask ChatGPT or your favorite AI tool to quickly find information (but always review directly on the IRS website!)
You also should not call the IRS if you have a state tax issue. Reach out to the IRS only if you have federal tax-related questions. Contact your state tax department for state tax-related questions. You can find your state tax department contact information here.
Protect yourself from tax scams
Sometimes, scammers time phishing or smishing scams perfectly. Don’t fall for common tax scams, and be on extra alert if you’ve been communicating with the IRS.
Never click on unsolicited communication claiming to be from the IRS. When in doubt, call the IRS directly to verify it’s them. Or, check your online account to see if there’s anything new.
Report scams to the IRS if you suspect a tax scam. Email the IRS at phishing@irs.gov to report phishing scams.
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This is not intended as legal advice; for more information, please click here.
