We can help you online, by phone or in person. Online tools and resources You can get help online with self-service options. Check refund status Where’s My Refund? Access Your Online Account Refund less than expected Received a refund but wasn't expecting one Lost refund Refunds Expecting a refund? The IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days. You can check the status of your refund: E-filed return: within 24 hours after we receive it Paper return: 4 weeks after you mailed it You should only call about your: E-filed return: 3 weeks after you filed it Paper return: 6 weeks after you mailed it Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation: 12 weeks for e-filed and 14 weeks for paper return filing Refund: If the Where’s My Refund? tool directs you to contact us. Get the latest information on IRS operations and services. Get a tax transcript Order your tax transcript Transcript types Other ways to get your transcript Request a non-filing letter Get Transcript Frequently Asked Questions File a return Getting ready Incorrect, lost, or never received W-2 Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) Filing help How to file your taxes: step by step Free tax preparation help Choose a tax professional Filing File an accurate return and use e-file and direct deposit to avoid delays. Free File your return IRS Direct File E-file options for individual taxpayers Direct deposit your refund Extension of time to file your tax return File for a deceased taxpayer Filing past due tax returns Sign your e-filed return with your adjusted gross income (AGI) Note: You can’t get your AGI over the phone. You can find your AGI in your online account or on last year’s tax return – request a copy. Filing by mail Find an address to mail your return Common questions Use our Interactive Tax Assistant to answer your tax-related questions, such as: Are your unemployment benefits taxable? Should you file? What is your filing status? Are your Social Security benefits taxable? Is your pension or annuity taxable? Payments and penalties Payments Payment options Payment plan or installment agreement View your balance and payment activity Help for struggling taxpayers Offer in Compromise Liens and levies Understanding a federal tax lien Understanding a levy Publication 594, The IRS Collection Process PDF Resolve a dispute Office of Appeals Prevent future tax bill Tax Withholding Estimator Estimated payments Penalties Penalty relief/abatement Letter from the IRS Understanding your IRS notice or letter IRS Document Upload Tool Verify your identity (5071C) Verify your identity (4883C) We changed your return (CP12) Imminent levy notification (CP504) Income reporting or payment error (CP2000) Balance due reminder (CP71A) Dependent’s Social Security number listed on another return (CP87A) Change your language preference for written communications from the IRS Correct or amend a return Should you file an amended return Where’s My Amended Return? Amended return Frequently Asked Questions To check the status of your amended return: Wait 3 weeks after filing then use the Where’s My Amended Return? tool. You should only call if: It’s more than 16 weeks since you mailed your amended return or The Where’s My Amended Return? tool directs you to call us Identity theft, fraud and scams Identity theft Identity Theft Central Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft Protect your data IRS notice 4883C or CP01 Verify your identity Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) Scams Report phishing, calls and email scam Fraud How to report suspected tax fraud activity Make a complaint about a tax return preparer Business topics E-file your employment taxes Apply for an e-file signature PIN Employer Identification Numbers (EIN) Apply for an EIN online File Form 2290 online Help in your language If you can't find the answers to your tax questions on IRS.gov, we offer help in over 350 languages with the support of professional interpreters. Interpretation services For Spanish, call 800-829-1040. For all other languages, call 833-553-9895. You will reach an IRS assistor who can either: Provide an interpreter over the phone Schedule an appointment for you at one of our local Taxpayer Assistance Centers so you can get help in person. Please note, our local offices provide assistance only on specific topics. Telephone and local assistance If you mailed a tax return or letter and haven’t yet heard from us, don’t call or file a second return. Find expected wait times for current IRS operations and services. IRS phone numbers Telephone assistors can help with many topics but see the list of topics our assistors can’t address. Verify your identity when you call Our representatives must verify your identity before discussing your personal information. Have the following ready when you call: Individuals Social Security numbers (SSN) and birth dates Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) if you don’t have a Social Security number Filing status – single, head of household, married filing jointly, married filing separately or qualifying surviving spouse Prior-year tax return Tax return you’re calling about Any correspondence we sent to you Third parties calling for someone else Taxpayer’s name, SSN or ITIN Tax return you're calling about Verbal or written authorization (Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization or Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative) to discuss the account Preparer tax identification number or personal identification number Third parties calling for a deceased taxpayer Death certificate Court approval letter or our IRS Form 56, Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship (for estate executors) IRS phone number - Call wait times Filing season (January - April) Wait times can average 3 minutes. Some phone lines may have longer wait times. Wait times are longer on Mondays and Tuesdays, during Presidents Day weekend and around the April tax filing deadline. Post-filing season (May - December) Wait times can average 12 minutes. Some phone lines may have longer wait times. Wait times are shorter Wednesday through Friday. Our help lines are open Monday through Friday. Residents of Alaska and Hawaii should follow Pacific time. Phone lines in Puerto Rico are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. Individuals 800-829-1040 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time Businesses 800-829-4933 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time Tax professionals If you have a valid third-party authorization, contact the Practitioner Priority Service. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time Non-profit taxes 877-829-5500 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time Estate and gift taxes (Form 706/709) 866-699-4083 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern time Excise taxes 866-699-4096 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time Overseas callers Use our International Services page. Callers who are hearing impaired TTY/TDD 800-829-4059 Your local IRS office You can get in-person help at your local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). Locate a Taxpayer Assistance Center near you. Check what services are available at that location, then call 844-545-5640 to schedule an appointment. IRS offices are closed on federal holidays. Free tax return help You can file your return for free through: IRS Free File — helps qualified taxpayers file their taxes using commercial tax software for free IRS Direct File — a new pilot service to file directly with the IRS, available in 12 states Certain taxpayers may qualify to get free tax return preparation and electronic filing help at a location near where they live. For more information, see Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly. Get help from IRS-certified volunteers Free tax return preparation for qualifying taxpayers, if any of these situations apply to you: Earn $64,000 or less Have a disability Need language support Are 60 years or older Tools Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) Free File your return Change your address Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) View your account information Earned Income Tax Credit Assistant Other topics Unemployment benefits Deceased taxpayer Bankruptcy Disaster relief Injured spouse claims Affordable Care Act (ACA) Retirement and IRA Free help from volunteers
