To speak with a live IRS agent about a refund, call 800-829-1040 Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time (Alaska/Hawaii follow Pacific time). Navigate the automated menu by selecting language, then option 2 (personal tax), 1 (form/tax history), 3 (all other questions), and 2 (all other questions) to reach a representative.
For individual tax returns, call 1-800-829-1040, 7 AM - 7 PM Monday through Friday local time. The wait time to speak with a representative may be long. This option works best for less complex questions. For questions about a business tax return, call 1-800-829-4933, 7 AM - 7 PM Monday through Friday local time.
Customer service phone numbers: Tax information/Refund/Forms: 1-800-338-0505. Other assistance: 1-800-852-5711.
Get help from IRS customer service representatives through a live chat feature in English and Spanish.
Call us at 1-800-829-0922 to review your account with a representative. Be sure to have your account information available when you call. We'll assume you agree with the information in this notice if we don't hear from you. failure to maintain minimum essential health coverage.
Your refund is still being processed because of errors, incomplete information, suspected identity theft, complex credits (like EITC/ACTC), or a backlog, requiring extra review beyond the typical 21 days, with status updates available on the IRS Where's My Refund tool. Common causes include math errors, missing signatures, mismatched info, or claiming certain credits that trigger extra scrutiny.
The IRS also established a policy against answering substantive tax questions on the phone. Filers can call taxpayer services to ask process questions, meaning questions about how to file or the status of their filings, but they cannot get help with questions about the taxes themselves.
The IRS never initiates contact with taxpayers by email, text message, messaging apps like WhatsApp or via social media. Virtually all initial contact from the IRS will be by U.S. mail or by a phone call requesting an appointment with an IRS agent.
Answer: Contact an IRS customer service representative to correct any agency errors by calling 800-829-1040 (see telephone assistance for hours of operation).
The IRS is understaffed and unprepared to take on the daily volume of phone calls they receive. Unfortunately, this has caused callers to struggle with navigating the menu maze and being put on hold for hours only to have the line drop.
How to reach an actual person at the IRS: Use the 1-2-3 hack. The IRS telephone number is 1-800-829-1040, and is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday. To speak with someone at the IRS, you have to call, navigate through a menu, and eventually get routed to find an agent if one is available.
The IRS has no maximum time limit when it comes to processing tax refunds, but after 45 days, it is required to pay interest on your refund. In most cases, you can expect the IRS to issue your tax refund within 21 days of filing your tax return.
Timing makes a huge difference when you contact the IRS by phone. The shortest queues tend to occur early weekday mornings—between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m.—and midweek (Tuesday through Thursday). Avoid Mondays, Fridays, and dates near filing deadlines when hold times spike.
To talk to a real person at the IRS, call 1-800-829-1040, use specific key presses (like 2 for personal tax, then 3 or other options for more detail) to bypass automated menus, and be prepared with your details; if calls fail, schedule an appointment at a Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) or contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) for complex issues, as these options provide in-person or specialized help.
267-941-1000 for international callers or overseas taxpayers. (Overseas taxpayers may also fax a tax question to 681-247-3101 or use our international contact address page.)
IRS Customer Service, Online Live Chat
Before starting a chat, be sure to have your information ready for verification. Through the chat, you can check your tax refund status, make a one-time payment, and get general assistance.
Your refund may be delayed if your return needs corrections or extra review. If we need more information to process your return, we'll send you a letter.
Individual taxpayers can call the IRS phone line at 1-800-829-1040 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time Monday through Friday for telephone assistance.
There's no strict maximum limit for how long the IRS can hold a refund, but they must pay interest after 45 days; while most e-filed returns take 21 days, returns needing extra review for errors, fraud, or certain credits (like EITC/ACTC) can take months (45-180+ days), and amended returns can take 8-16 weeks, with unfiled returns having an indefinite delay until filed.
Phone help
If you don't have internet, call the automated refund hotline at 800-829-1954 for a current-year refund or 866-464-2050 for an amended return. If you think we made a mistake with your refund, check Where's My Refund or your online account for details.
Usually, it takes 4-5 weeks for the refund to be credited to the account of the taxpayer. However, if refund is not received during this duration, the taxpayer must check for intimation regarding discrepancies in ITR; check email for any notification from the IT department regarding the refund.