How to Call the IRS

Last updated: July 31, 2026

The IRS phone number is 1-800-829-1040. That's the easy part. The hard part is getting through the automated maze and actually talking to a human — especially between January and April when everyone else is trying to do the same thing. Here's everything you need to know to get it done.

What to have ready

Before you dial, gather everything the agent will ask for. Nothing burns more than waiting 45 minutes only to get told to call back because you don't have a piece of paper.

• Social Security number (or ITIN) for you and your spouse if filing jointly
• Filing status from your most recent return (single, married filing jointly, etc.)
• A copy of your prior year tax return — they'll use it to verify your identity
• Any IRS notices or letters you've received, with the notice number in the top right corner
• Expected refund amount if calling about a refund
• Bank account and routing numbers if you need to set up a payment plan

Getting through the phone tree

The IRS automated system is designed to deflect you. It wants you to go online. You have to be persistent and, frankly, a bit stubborn. Here's the fastest path to a live agent:

The key trick is step 4 — when the system asks for your SSN, just sit there. After a few seconds it'll move on without it, and this routes you toward a general agent faster than entering your info and getting shunted through more menus.

Checking your refund status

Before you call about a refund, try the Where's My Refund tool on irs.gov — it updates once daily and often has the same info an agent would give you. But if your refund has been "processing" for more than 21 days, or you got a weird notice, calling makes sense.

Setting up a payment plan

If you owe taxes and can't pay in full, the IRS is more flexible than you'd expect. They deal with this all day. Don't avoid the call — the penalties for not setting up a plan are worse than the plan itself.

For balances under $50,000, you can usually set up an installment agreement over the phone in one call. Above that threshold, they may ask for a financial disclosure (Form 433-F).

General tax questions

Calling to ask questions about your taxes — whether you need to file, how a specific deduction works, or what to do about a notice you received — is totally fine. That's what the line is there for.

Tips to cut your hold time

• Call right at 7 a.m. The queue is shortest in the first 15 minutes after lines open. Set an alarm if you need to.
• Avoid Mondays and the day after holidays. Everyone calls on Monday. Tuesdays through Thursdays are consistently quieter.
• Stay away from January through April. Tax season is brutal. In the 2026 filing season the IRS answered just 21% of the 48.1 million calls it received, and the average hold was 14 minutes — but the balance-due line, the one most people with a tax bill need, averaged 45 minutes and answered only 31% of calls (National Taxpayer Advocate, 2026 Mid-Year Report to Congress). If your issue isn't urgent, wait until May when hold times drop dramatically.
• Late afternoon works too. After 5 p.m. local time, call volume drops off. You might get through in 15 minutes instead of 45.
• Use the callback option if offered. Some IRS lines now offer a callback instead of holding. Take it — it works and you don't lose your place in line.
• Don't call on April 15th. Just don't. The system will be overwhelmed and you'll be on hold for hours if you get through at all.

Other useful IRS numbers

• Refund hotline: 1-800-829-1954 (automated refund status only)
• Business tax questions: 1-800-829-4933
• Taxpayer Advocate Service: 1-877-777-4778 (if you've been unable to resolve an issue through normal channels)
• Identity theft: 1-800-908-4490