As a business owner, you may need to call the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). However, the helpline tends to be busy most of the time, and you are either put on hold or forwarded to recording. In short, trying to reach an IRS agent is a cumbersome task.
You might have to call the IRS at some point in your entrepreneurial journey. Therefore, it is best for you to learn a few strategies to navigate the communication network of the IRS to sort out your taxes or get answers to any queries. So without further ado, let us get started.
Why You May Need to Call the IRS
There may be numerous reasons why you might have to call the IRS. However, here are some common ones.
• You are dealing with a complex tax situation and need clarity on the matter from an IRS agent.
• You recently received a notice with instructions to call the IRS’s given number immediately.
• You need an update on an action IRS took against you or your business.
• You want to confirm that the IRS got your tax payment on time.
• You have been a victim of identity fraud/theft, which has negatively impacted your tax status.
• You are under audit
• You want to pay or dispute an IRS penalty
• You have lost your W2 and/or 1099-R forms or might have received the wrong forms.
Documentation to Keep in Hand When Calling IRS
Prior to dialing the IRS helpline, it is best for you to keep the following documents handy to provide information upon the agent’s request.
• Your social security number (SSN) or taxpayer identification number (TIN).
• If there are other parties listed in your tax returns you are calling about, then you will need the dates of birth and social security numbers of all others.
• If applicable, you may also need your company’s tax identification number.
• Income tax return from last year (probably for your identity verification).
• Copy of tax return you wish to discuss with the IRS agent
• Correspondence received from IRS such as late notices, payment or penalty notification, etc.
All of these documents will help you save time. Otherwise, the agent will ask you to call the IRS back with the information, and you will be back to square one.
Things to Consider
While picking up your phone and dialing the IRS number will be your first instinctive action, there are certain things you must consider before doing so.
- Visit the IRS Website
Instead of waiting in a long queue over the phone, you can visit the IRS website to get information on your questions. So, if you are not a tech-savvy person or do not want to research the site, ask someone else to do it for you.
- Authorize Someone to Call the IRS on Your Behalf
Both 8821 Tax Information Authorization and 2848 Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative forms give you the right to authorize a third party to make taxation queries on your behalf. This way, you can nominate a friend, family member, or a legal representative to make or handle all your taxation queries directly with IRS on your behalf.
- Find out if the Query is worth a Phone Call
Sometimes, you will wait in a long queue to find out that the agent cannot help you with the query or situation. For instance, an IRS agent will not be able to help you with questions about the following:
• Refund status (if you filed the tax return less than 21 days ago)
• Tax law
• Transcript request
• Forms
• Complaints about high taxes
Call Early During the Day
IRS phone lines open early in the morning at 7 am. To increase your chances of getting in touch with an agent without long delays, try calling as early as possible.
Take the Agent’s Information
You may have to call IRS back again. Therefore, it would be best to ask for the name and badge number of the agent you spoke to. Plus, ask if there is s a reference number or compliant number that you can get right now.
For Government Stimulus Funds
If you have a query regarding the government’s stimulus fund, do not call IRS. So, you can get all the information through the Get My Payment website instead.
Important Numbers to Call IRS
If you still wish to contact IRS, here is the link for details on IRS telephone assistance. However, for your convenience, here is a chart of all the important numbers you may need to get an answer for your queries.
| Nature of Concern | IRS Contact Number for Relevant Department |
| For General inquiries | 1-800-829-1040 and press 3 for queries on business tax form questions |
| Self-employed taxpayers | 1-800-829-4933 |
| E-file tech support – Domestic employers | 1-866-455-7438 |
| E-file tech support – International employers | 1-304-263-8700 |
| Corporate taxpayers, nonprofits and partnerships queries | 1-866-255-0654 |
| Questions of nonprofit filing and tax law | 1-877-829-5500 |
| Tax-exempt and government entities | 1-877-829-5500 |
| Queries on excise tax | 1-866-699-4096 |
| Victims of Disaster | 1-866-562-5227 |
| Identify theft and refund theft | 1-800-908-4490 |
| For phishing, scams and confirming IRS agent’s legitimacy | 1-800-366-4484 |
| Whistleblower hotline | 1-800-829-0433 |
| Overseas Taxpayer’s Special Tax Status | 1-267-941-1000 |
| Resolve, verify or payoff a tax lien | 1-800-913-6050 |
| Query on bankruptcy having an effect on your tax debt | 1-800-973-0424 |
| Check which of your debts are going to offset your refund | 1-800-304-3107 |
| Balance inquiries | 1-800-829-0922
1-800-829-7650 1-800-829-3903 |
| Tax refund status | 1-800-829-1954 |
| If your tax refund is on hold | 1-866-897-3315 |
| Status of your amended return | 1-866-464-2050 |
| To report any incorrect income on your substitute form | 1-866-4271 |
| Lost ITIN documents | 1-800-908-99982 |
| Order a tax transcript | 1-800-908-9946 |
| Electronic payment through E-federal tax payment system | In English 1-800-555-4477
In Spanish 1-800-244-4829 |
| For hearing impaired accessibility option | 1-800-829-4059 (TTY/TDD) |
| To find free tax clinic in your area | 1-800-906-9887
1-888-227-7669 |
| Schedule your appointment with your local IRS office | 1-844-545-5640 |
| Taxpayer advocate service | 1-877-4778 |
| Taxpayer advocate service (international) | In English 1-787-522-8601
In Spanish 1-787-522-8600 |
Too Busy to Make a Call or Hold the Line, Request a Call Back
If you are too busy to make a call or stay on the line for an extended period of time, you can always request a callback. This way, one of the IRS agents will call you as soon as possible to resolve your tax returns queries.
Follow these simple steps.
• Dial 1-800-829-1040
• Follow the phone’s prompt and select the callback option.
• Leave a message for the agent with your contact number along with the best time to call you.
Other Alternatives
If none of the above-mentioned steps or strategies work for you, it is time to explore other options such as:
• You can contact your https://www.irs.gov/help/contact-your-local-irs-office local Taxpayer Assistance Center (LTAC) to help with your queries. You can simply call, submit an online query or visit the office.
• You can get in touch with the https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/Taxpayer advocate service (TAS), a government organization to help you with tax-related problems and questions. Also, TAS is one such independent organization that advocates for taxpayers like yourself.
• You can also use a smartphone app by IRS known as Where’s My Refund. The app is free to download from the IRS2GO mobile app website.
• IRS recently deployed voice bots to offer information about generation tax queries. However, voice bots will not be able to provide help with protected accounts information. You can access voice bots that are available 24/7 to offer advice on payments, answer FAQs and clarify collection notice instructions.
Conclusion
While contacting IRS requires some patience, it does not have to be such a complicated activity. You can strategically use the above-mentioned information to get the information in a hassle-free manner. However, if you have to call, being prepared with all the information and documents will make your call a quick one.
