IRS Phone Numbers: Customer Service Help
Updated on January 20, 2025
Reviewed By
Clark Stott has been with Expat US Tax since 2015. Being a dual national based in the UK, Clark has unique experience helping US citizens (and Accidental Americans) become tax compliant via the Streamlined Tax Amnesty program. Clark likes to help Americans in the UK keep their tax situations as simple as possible to avoid harsh IRS treatment.
Table of Contents
How can I contact the IRS from overseas? Customer Service Help
The main IRS phone number is +1 267 941 1000, and you can contact them from Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Eastern Time, U.S. and Canada).
When you call during the filing season, expect a wait time of 5-10 minutes and 15-30 minutes during the off-season. But depending on your inquiry, there are other phone numbers you can call to get the help you need.
How to call without expensive charges:
Some people use Skype or another type of VoIP telephone service to keep costs down.
Is there an easier way when you live abroad?
Many US citizens living abroad can’t access the IRS online service because they can’t get an ID.me account and they don’t have a US cell phone number.
If you don’t want to stay on hold, how about sending the IRS a fax? Yep, even in 2025 faxing is still a thing, but you don’t need an old machine and phone line.
There are many online e-fax providers, and you can even e-fax from an iPhone! This low-cost solution for contacting the IRS can be very efficient, especially if your timezone doesn’t work so well with US hours.
Fax your general query to +1 681-247-3101
If you’re chasing up a refund check, sending a fax can be the best way.
Download form 3911 from this link and fax it to +1 855-203-7538
What are the other alternative IRS phone numbers I can call?
Here’s the list of phone numbers you can call based on your concern:
General inquiry:
| Schedule an appointment with your local IRS office | 844-545-5640 |
| Obtain an employer identification number (EIN) | 800-829-4933 |
| For excise tax | 866-699-4096 |
| For estate and gift tax | 866-699-4083 |
| Taxpayer Advocate Service | 877-777-4778 |
| Search for a tax clinic near you | 800-906-9887; 888-227-7669 |
| For Spanish interpretation service | 800-829-1040 |
| For international interpretation services | 833-553-9895 |
| For disaster victims | 866-562-5227 |
| For the status of an application for adoption taxpayer identification number | 737-800-5511 |
Tax trouble reporting
| To identity and refund theft victims | 800-908-4490 |
| For phishing and other scams | 800-366-4484 |
| Whistleblower hotline | 800-829-0433 |
It’s important to double-check the IRS agent’s name/badge number to see if they are authentic.
Tax returns and refunds
|
For the status of an amended tax return |
866-464-2050 |
|
For the status of a tax refund |
800-829-1954 |
|
For the status of a tax refund being held |
866-897-3315 |
|
For offsetting your tax refund |
800-304-3107; 800-877-8339 (TTY/TDD) |
Tax forms and documents
|
For paper tax forms |
800-829-3676 |
|
For tax transcript |
800-908-9946 |
|
Lost ITIN documents |
800-908-9982 |
Payments and balances
|
For balance dues |
800-829-0922; 800-829-7650; 800-829-3903 |
|
For payment using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System |
800-555-4477 (English); 800-244-4829 (Spanish) |
|
For changes in your tax debt |
800-973-0424 |
|
Verify, pay off, or resolve a tax lien |
800-913-6050 |
Self-employed taxpayers
|
For business tax return |
800-829-0115 |
|
With account or tax law questions: |
800-829-4933 |
Accessibility tax assistance
|
Accessibility helpline |
800-829-4059 |
|
For deaf or hard-of-hearing taxpayers |
833-690-0598 |
|
For large-print or Braille tax forms, publications or notices |
800-829-3676 |
You can also call the IRS customer service in your state to get help, especially in state tax issues.
Can I call the state tax department for help?
Yes, if you’re having issues with your state taxes, here are the State Tax Department phone numbers to call:
| State | Phone Number |
| Alabama | 334-242-1170 |
| Alaska | 907-465-2300 |
| Arizona | 602-255-3381 |
| Arkansas | 501-682-1100 |
| California | 800-852-5711 |
| Colorado | 303-238-7378 |
| Connecticut | 860-297-5962 |
| Delaware | 302-577-8200 |
| District of Columbia | 202-727-4TAX (4829) |
| Florida | 850-488-6800 |
| Georgia | 877-423-6711 |
| Hawaii | 800-222-3229 |
| Idaho | 208-334-7660 |
| Illinois | 217-782-3336 |
| Indiana | 800-457-8283 |
| Iowa | 515-281-3114 |
| Kansas | 785-368-8222 |
| Kentucky | 502-564-4581 |
| Louisiana | 855-307-3893 |
| Maine | 207-624-9620 |
| Maryland | 800-MDTAXES |
| Massachusetts | 617-887-6367 |
| Michigan | 517-636-4486 |
| Minnesota | 651-556-3000 |
| Mississippi | 601-923-7700 |
| Missouri | 573-751-3505 |
| Montana | 406-444-6900 |
| Nebraska | 402-471-5729 |
| Nevada | 866-962-3707 |
| New Hampshire | 603-230-5000 |
| New Jersey | 609-292-6748 |
| New Mexico | 505-827-0700 |
| New York | 518-457-5149 |
| North Carolina | 877-252-3052 |
| North Dakota | 701-328-7088 |
| Ohio | 800-282-1780 |
| Oklahoma | 405-521-3160 |
| Oregon | 503-378-4988 |
| Pennsylvania | 888-PATAXES |
| Rhode Island | 401-574-8484 |
| South Carolina | 844-898-8542 Option 1 |
| South Dakota | 800-829-9188 |
| Tennessee | 800-342-1003 |
| Texas | 888-334-4112 |
| Utah | 801-297-2200 |
| Vermont | 802-828-2865 |
| Virginia | 804-367-8031 |
| Washington | 360-705-6705 |
| West Virginia | 304-558-3333 |
| Wisconsin | 608-266‑2486 |
| Wyoming | 307-777-5200 |
Can’t get through to the IRS? Our experts may provide the support you’re looking for.
Can I visit my local IRS office in the US?
Yes, there are local TACs or Taxpayer Assistance Center offices in every state that could assist you on weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Generally, you’ll need to make an appointment by calling 844-545-5640. However, some offices may be able to accept walk-in assistance.
To see the addresses and phone numbers of the TACs, select your state on the IRS website here: https://www.irs.gov/help/contact-your-local-irs-office.
Can I contact the IRS when I’m outside of the US?
Yes, the IRS offers international services from Monday to Friday. Here are the time schedules for specific concerns:
- 6:00 am to 8:00 pm (Eastern time) for tax law questions.
- 6:00 am to 11:00 pm (Eastern time) for all other questions.
Tel: 267-941-1000 (not toll-free)
Fax: 681-247-3101 (for international tax account issues only)
What is the Taxpayer Advocate Service?
The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS that can help people with tax problems they can’t resolve independently. At least one local Taxpayer Advocate Service center is located in each state.
It is a free service for individuals and businesses to ensure that they are treated fairly and their rights are protected.
What are the services offered by the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS)?
- Helps in resolving delays in processing tax refunds or credits.
- Assists with identity theft issues related to taxes.
- Guides IRS notices or actions that are unclear or incorrect.
- Offers guidance on tax disputes and penalties.
- See the address and phone number of your local Taxpayer Advocate Service office.
Can I get help from the IRS online?
Yes, the IRS provides in-depth online tools and resources to help you get assistance for your tax issues or needs on their official page.
Additionally, going online is one of the quickest and easiest ways to contact the IRS. They offer services online such as:
- Common tax law questions
- Interactive tax assistant
- Check the status of your amended tax return or refund
- Tax tools for individual taxpayers
You can set up an account with the IRS to gain more access to records and self-service options.
What do I need to prepare before making a call?
You will need to prepare verification of your identity as they will need a few details to proceed to your concern. You can prepare:
- Personal details: Social Security Number (SSN) or ITIN, date of birth, and filing status (e.g., single, married, head of household).
- Tax documents: your prior-year tax return or the tax return you’re asking about and any letters or notices you’ve received.
How can I recognize phone scams?
The IRS will rarely call you, as the IRS typically contacts you by mail. To avoid scams, remember that the IRS does not:
- Call you to demand payment.
- Initiate contact with you via email, text, or social media.
- Ask you to pay your tax bill with prepaid cards, gift cards, or wire transfers.
- Threaten to call the police, immigration officers, or other people to arrest you.
- Revoke your driver’s license, business license, or immigration status.
So watch out for phone scams that impersonate the IRS.
How can I verify an IRS phone call?
If you receive a call from an actual IRS employee who needs to contact you legitimately, here are the ways to verify if the call is real, you can request:
- The IRA agent’s name
- Their badge number
- Their office location
You can ask for a call-back number for their department or office. A legitimate IRS employee should be able to provide this information without hesitation.
How can I report phishing and scams?
If you receive a call from someone who is not an IRS employee but is claiming to be one, report the incident to the appropriate law enforcement agencies:
- If IRS-related, please report to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) via their online complaint form.
- If Treasury-related, please report to the Office of the Treasury Inspector General (TIG) via OIGCounsel@oig.treas.gov
Please report IRS or Treasury-related fraudulent calls to phishing@irs.gov (Subject: IRS Phone Scam). When reporting the call, you’ll need to include the telephone number and a brief description of the communication.
Full instructions on how to report IRS scams can be found here.
When not to call?
Given the wait time and the expenses you could incur when you opt to call the IRS, here are some situations when it’s not advisable to call them:
- Simple questions you can find on their website, like their tax tools, getting records, setting an account
- Changes in payment plans or schedules
- Responding to a notice
In addition, you can consult a tax professional to address your concerns efficiently.
