Looking for help with your tax return? Have tax questions this season? Need to contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)? Despite dire warnings about limited service, there are a number of ways to get answers.
In order to get the fastest service, the IRS suggests that you first try their online tools:
- Where’s My Refund?
“Where’s My Refund?” allows you to track the status of your refund.
You can use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool within 24 hours after you e-file or 4 weeks after you file by paper. The tool is updated no more than once every 24 hours. - Make A Payment
The IRS makes it easy for you to make a payment (of course, right?). You can pay a variety of ways including directly from your bank account or by credit or debit card. - Get Transcript Online
If all you need is your transcript for returns processed in the current year and prior three processing years, you can view your transcript online. Careful: you can’t use Get Transcript Online if you have an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number (SSN). - Get Transcript By Mail
If you can’t view your transcript online because, for example, you have an ITIN, you can order your transcript to arrive by mail. Transcripts by mail generally take 5 to 10 calendar days.
By phone:
- For questions related to individual taxes, call 1.800.829.1040 during business hours (M–F, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., local time) and be prepared to wait.
- For questions related to business taxes, call 1.800.829.4933 during business hours (M–F, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., local time) and be prepared to wait.
- For automated refund service, call 1.800.829.1954. The line is open 24 hours.
- For forms and publications, call 1.800.829.3676 (M–F, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., local time). You can find out more about how to get paper forms here.
In person:
- The IRS offers limited in person assistance at Taxpayer Assistance Centers across the country. To find a location near you, click here.
- Appointments are available in ten U.S. cities as part of a pilot program. Find out more here.
If you live abroad:
The IRS has full-time permanent staff in 4 U.S. embassies and consulates outside of the 50 states:
- Frankfurt, Germany: Walk-in assistance by appointment only (T, 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m). Call (49)(69) 7535.3811 to request an appointment. Call (49)(69) 7535.3823 (M-Th, 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.).
- London, England: Walk-in assistance (T-Th, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m). Call (44)(207) 894.0477 (M, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and T-Th, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon).
- Paris France: Walk-in assistance (M-F, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon). Call (33)(1) 4312.2555 (M, 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon and 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.). You can also e-mail irs.paris@irs.gov.
- Residents of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands may contact the IRS toll free at 1.800.829.1040.
If you live abroad and can’t visit one of the embassies, call 267.941.1000 (M-F, 6:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., Eastern Time). You can also fax 267.941.1055.
Taxpayers who live abroad can also contact the IRS via mail at Internal Revenue Service, International Accounts, Philadelphia, PA 19255-0725.
