Please see the Help/Telephone Assistance for updated information. IR-2002-130, Nov. 27, 2002 WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service announced today two new toll-free telephone numbers to provide taxpayers with better service. Small businesses and taxpayers requesting refunds will each have a special toll-free number; these two numbers become operational on Dec. 2, 2002. “Providing these new toll-free numbers to help taxpayers is one more step toward providing the customer service taxpayers deserve,” said IRS Acting Commissioner Bob Wenzel. Small businesses, corporations, partnerships and trusts who need information or help preparing business returns should now call 1-800-829-4933. Customers calling this number can apply for a new Employer Identification Number (EIN) and receive help on employment taxes, partnership, corporation, estate, gift, trust and excise taxes or other small business issues. People looking for their refunds have a new toll-free number: 1-800-829-1954. Individuals who filed a 1040 series return can check on the status of their current year tax refund with this toll-free number. Phone Topic Description 800-829-1040 IRS Tax Help Line for Individuals For individual and joint filers who need procedural or tax law information and/ or help to file their 1040-type individual returns (including Schedules C and E); and, general account information for Form 1040 Filers. Automated Self-Service Interactive Applications are also offered on this line. 800-829-4933 Business and Specialty Tax Line (new) For Small Businesses, Corporations, Partnerships and Trusts who need information and/or help related to their Business Returns or Business (BMF) Accounts. Services cover Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), 94x returns, 1041, 1065, 1120S, Excise Returns, Estate and Gift Returns, as well as issues related to Federal tax deposits. 800-829-1954 Refund Hotline (new) For 1040-type Individual and Joint Filers who need to check the status of their current year refund. Automated Refund Self-Service Interactive Applications are offered on this line. NOTE: The “Where’s My Refund?” automated self-service feature is also available 24/7 to obtain refund status information. 800-829-3676 Forms and Publications For individuals, businesses and tax practitioners who need IRS tax forms, instructions and related materials and tax publications. 877-777-4778 National Taxpayer Advocate’s Help Line For taxpayers whose tax problems have not been resolved through normal channels. Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) provides an independent system to assure that tax problems are promptly and fairly handled. TAS operates independently of any other IRS office and reports directly to Congress through the National Taxpayer Advocate. 800-829-4059 Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) For hearing-impaired taxpayers who need tax law and/or procedural information relating to filing their returns or who need information and/or assistance relating to their accounts. 888-912-1227 Taxpayer Advocacy Panel For citizens who want to provide ideas and suggestions on how to improve IRS services or who want to make recommendations for improvement of IRS systems and procedures. 800-555-4477 or 800-945-8400 Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) Hotline For taxpayers who want to pay business or individual taxes through electronic funds transfer. The EFTPS Toll-Free numbers can provide callers with EFTPS enrollment forms, instructions and customer assistance. 877-829-5500 Tax Exempt – Government Entity (TEGE) Help Line For taxpayers who need tax information or assistance relating to Tax Exempt or Government Entities, Tax Exempt Bonds, Employer /Employee Pension Plans or Indian Tribal Agreements. 800-829-4477 Tele-Tax System For individuals who need to check the status of their current year refund or who want to listen to recorded tax information. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 888-796-1074 Extension to File Tele-File System For individual filers who want to submit an Extension to File for a 1040-series return via telephone.