The IRS has three main ways to contact them: by phone, by mail, or through their website

The fastest route depends on what you need. If you have a simple question about a notice or your account, the IRS phone line is usually quickest — but wait times can run 30 minutes to two hours during tax season. If you need to send documents or dispute something in writing, mail is slower but creates a paper record. The IRS website and its online tools handle many tasks without waiting at all, like checking your refund status or downloading a transcript of your tax return.

Which method works best also depends on your situation. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use TTY/TDD relay services. If you speak a language other than English, the IRS offers phone support in Spanish and limited support in other languages. If you are outside the United States, you cannot call the main IRS number, but you can mail documents or use the website.

Key Takeaways

  • The main IRS phone number is 1-800-829-1040, but wait times are longest from January through April and shortest from June through November.
  • The IRS website at irs.gov has tools to check your refund, download transcripts, and view your account without calling or mailing anything.
  • Mail your documents to the IRS address shown on any notice you received, or use the address for your state listed on irs.gov.
  • If you need written proof of what you told the IRS, sending a letter by certified mail creates a record that a phone call does not.
  • The IRS does not respond to email, but you can use the online form at irs.gov/help to request a callback during a time you choose.

Calling the IRS by phone

The main IRS customer service number is 1-800-829-1040. This line handles questions about your tax return, refunds, notices, and account issues. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in your local time zone. The line is closed on federal holidays.

Wait times vary sharply by season. From January through mid-April, expect to wait 45 minutes to two hours. From June through November, waits are usually under 30 minutes. If you call early in the morning or late in the afternoon, you may wait less than if you call mid-day.

Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and any notice from the IRS in front of you before you call. If you are calling about a specific tax year, have that year's return or the notice handy. The representative will ask for this information to pull up your account.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use the TTY/TDD relay service by calling 1-800-829-4059. If you speak Spanish, call 1-800-829-1040 and select the Spanish option from the menu. The IRS also offers limited phone support in other languages through an interpreter service; ask the English-language representative to connect you.

Using the IRS website and online tools

The IRS website at irs.gov lets you do many things without calling or mailing anything. You can check the status of your refund, download a transcript of your tax return, view your account balance, set up a payment plan, or request a copy of a notice you received.

To use most of these tools, you will need to create or sign into an IRS online account. You can set this up at irs.gov/account using your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and filing status. The IRS will verify your identity by asking questions about your credit history or by sending a code to your phone or email.

If you have a specific question not answered on the website, you can use the online form at irs.gov/help to request a callback. You choose the date and time window, and an IRS representative will call you during that window. This avoids the long hold times of calling the main number.

Mailing documents to the IRS

If you need to send documents — such as a copy of a receipt, a letter disputing a charge, or a missing form — mail them to the IRS address shown on any notice you received from them. That address is specific to your situation and the type of issue.

If you do not have a notice, use the address for your state. The IRS publishes a list of state-by-state mailing addresses on irs.gov/localcontacts. Search for your state, and you will see the correct address for the type of document you are sending (for example, the address for tax returns is different from the address for amended returns).

Send your mail by certified mail with return receipt if you need proof that the IRS received it. Keep a copy of everything you send. The IRS typically takes 30 to 60 days to process mailed documents, longer during tax season. If you are responding to a notice, check the notice for the deadline — missing it can result in penalties or loss of your right to dispute.

Contacting the IRS from outside the United States

You cannot call the IRS from outside the United States using the 1-800 number. Instead, mail your documents to the IRS address for your state, or use the online tools at irs.gov if you have an account set up.

If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien living abroad, you may be able to use the IRS's international phone line. Check irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers for the phone number for your country, as it varies by location.

Getting help from a tax professional or advocate

If you do not want to contact the IRS yourself, you can hire a tax professional — such as a CPA, enrolled agent, or tax attorney — to contact them on your behalf. You will need to sign a power of attorney form (Form 2848) authorizing them to represent you.

If you cannot afford a tax professional and you believe the IRS has made an error or treated you unfairly, you may be able to get free help from the Taxpayer Advocate Service. This is an independent office within the IRS that helps people who are having trouble resolving their issue. You can reach them at 1-877-777-4778 or through irs.gov/taxpayeradvocate.

What to expect when you contact the IRS

When you call, the representative will ask for your Social Security number and other identifying information. They will pull up your account and ask what you need help with. Be specific: instead of "I have a question about my return," say "I received a notice saying I owe $500 in taxes for 2022, and I do not think that is correct."

The representative can answer questions, explain notices, help you set up a payment plan, or direct you to the right form or publication. They cannot change your tax return or cancel a debt without documentation — if you are disputing something, they will usually ask you to send written proof by mail.

If the representative cannot solve your problem on the call, ask for the name and phone number of the department handling your case, and ask when you can expect to hear back. Write this down. If you do not hear back by the date they gave you, call back and reference this information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I email the IRS with my question?

The IRS does not monitor email or respond to messages sent to general email addresses. However, you can use the online form at irs.gov/help to request a callback from an IRS representative. You choose the date and time, and they will call you during that window.

What if I cannot reach anyone after multiple calls?

If you have called several times and cannot get through, use the callback request form at irs.gov/help instead. You can also contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service at 1-877-777-4778 if you believe the IRS is not responding to you or has treated you unfairly.

How long does it take to get a response by mail?

The IRS typically takes 30 to 60 days to process documents received by mail. During tax season (January through April), it can take longer. If you are responding to a notice, the deadline is printed on the notice — do not miss it, as it can result in penalties.

Do I need a representative to contact the IRS?

No. You can contact the IRS yourself by phone, mail, or through their website. You only need to hire a representative (CPA, enrolled agent, or attorney) if you want someone else to handle it for you, or if you need help understanding a complex issue.

What if I need an interpreter?

The IRS offers phone support in Spanish by calling 1-800-829-1040 and selecting Spanish from the menu. For other languages, ask the English-language representative to connect you to an interpreter service. This service is free.