Options to Contact the IRS

The IRS has been shifting from phone support to more online support options. Thus, we suggest using online options first before you call as you might experience long phone waiting times.

How To Reach The IRS
Description

Online IRS

IRS by Phone

The IRS live phone assistance is very limited and you might experience long wait times. The IRS is available from 7am - 7pm, Monday - Friday EST. and the best time to call them is in the early morning. Visit this page for more IRS phone numbers by subject.

When you call the IRS at their main number, 1-800-829-1040, you might be asked to provide any of the following pieces of information:

  • Social Security numbers (SSN) and birth dates | Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for taxpayers without a Social Security number
  • Tax return filing status: single, head of household, married filing jointly, married filing separately, widow(er)
  • Questions about prior-year tax return, such as your adjusted gross income
  • The tax year of the return you’re calling about
  • Any IRS correspondence, notice, etc. sent to you.

If you call on behalf of another taxpayer:

IRS Tax Forms

For state contact information, find your state tax agency where you can find contact details. For further assistance, contact eFile.com; we provide person-to-person support and may be able to help provide information for a return you filed with us.

ID.me registration process

Here is what you will need to verify your identity during the 15 minute IRS account and registration process through ID.me:

  • A valid email address; check your spam folder during the process as you might get emails from the IRS.
  • Your valid Social Security Number - SSN - or Individual Tax Identification Number - ITIN.
  • The tax filing status of your latest tax return; obtain a copy digitally or retrieve a physical copy.
  • The mailing address on that tax return. Enter the exact address as shown on the last return. Note: If you just filed a return with a new address, try entering the old address as that might still be stored.
    • In case of a PO Box address, enter 'PO Box" in the ‘Address Line 1‘ field with no periods and the number; e.g. PO Box 123.
    • Military Address: Enter APO, FPO or DPO as the ‘City’ and select/enter AA, AE, or AP from the ‘State/U.S. Territory’ dropdown.
    • A foreign address can only be registered for the online payment portal, not IP-PIN, transcript, etc. See more: information on taxes for foreign aliens and U.S. Citizens and resident aliens working or living abroad.
  • Financial account number(s) linked to your name. For example, you might be asked to enter or select the last 8 digits of your credit card - American Express, debit, or corporate cards are excluded. Your financial information will be verified by Experian; some account numbers could fail the verification process.
  • Loans: You might be asked to enter your student loan account number - the number might consist of numbers and/or letters, but does not include any symbols - provided on your student loan statement. Student loans issued by Nelnet can not be verified.
    • Or, you might be asked to verify or enter mortgage information or home equity loan data.
    • Or, verify or enter home equity line of credit or auto, car loan information.
  • A mobile phone must be linked to your name; it must be U.S. based and able to receive text messages. During registration, you will receive a one-time activation code to your mobile phone number. You have limited time to enter this code.
    • If you do not have a U.S. based phone registered in your name, select to receive the activation code by postal mail. Once you have the code, you have 30 days to complete your account registration. After that, you can download the IRS mobile app to receive codes.
    • If for any other reason you can not register with your phone, request the activation code by mail.
  • During the registration process or later, you might receive tax messages originated from IRS number 77958 or phone number: 202-552-1226. If you previously opted out of receiving text messages, send this text message: Text IN to 77958.
  • No longer required: A mobile phone or computer with a camera. The ID.me registration process was set to require a "live selfie" which would use biometric data to compare your facial features to a government issued ID, such as a driver's license. The IRS is no longer requiring this as of February 7, 2021 due to backlash. ID.me is still required, however, excluding the live photo portion, for new users.

WatchIT