• 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.

• 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

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 ProcessPDF

Resolve a dispute

• Office of Appeals

Prevent future tax bill

• Tax Withholding Estimator
• Estimated payments

Penalties

• Penalty relief/abatement

• Understanding your IRS notice or letter
• EITC audit notice or letter toolkit
• 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

Identity theft

• Identity Theft Central
• Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft
• Protect your data
• IRS notice4883C orCP01
• 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

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

To avoid delays, file electronically and use direct deposit.

• IRS Free File: Do your taxes for free
• Find all other ways to file your taxes
• Tax information for members of the military
• Direct deposit your refund
• Get an extension 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?

• Order your tax transcript
• Transcript types
• Other ways to get your transcript
• Request a non-filing letter
• Get Transcript frequently asked questions

• 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

For Spanish, call800-829-1040. For all other languages, call833-553-9895.

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 assistors can help with many topics but see the list oftopics 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 15 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.

During periods of high call volume, you may receive the option to receive a return call once a customer service representative is available instead of waiting on hold. This option is available on most toll-free topics. A return call may be offered when wait times exceed 15 minutes and if a representative can be reached during regular IRS business hours.

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 thePractitioner 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

You can get in-person help at your local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). Locate aTaxpayer 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.

You can file your return for free through:

• IRS Free File — helps qualified taxpayers file their taxes using commercial tax software for free

Certain taxpayers may qualify to get free tax return preparation and electronic filing help at a location near where they live. For more information, seeVolunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly.