These days it might seem inconceivable that a company wouldn't be ready with a convenient email address to get in touch with, but no, youchickensEmail the IRS. At least you can't do that for most problems and issues. The agency manages a single email address for this purpose.
However, that shouldn't stop you from contacting the IRS if you need help. Depending on your problem and why you need help, you have a few other options.
The central theses
- Take it as a red flag when you get an email from the IRS. You are being scammed because the agency never sends or responds to emails.
- The IRS only has one email address and it is for reporting fraud only.
- The IRS maintains a website where you can find a lot of general tax information.
- Be prepared for a long wait when calling the IRS.
- You can visit an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center if you need personal assistance.
Why the IRS avoids email
The IRS has taken a firm stand against phishing and fraud attempts. It regularly issues warnings that it will never email a taxpayer, so if you receive one claiming to be from the IRS, you are most likely the target of a scam. The agency rarely uses the good old U.S. Postal Service snail mail, by phone or a personal visit. And you probably won't get a call or visit unless you first get a written warning in the mail.
The phishing problem affects fake emails sent bycheaterclaiming to be the IRS. They're looking for personal information, either to give you a refund you never knew was coming or to let you know you owed taxes you didn't know you had. The IRS provides an email address to report this type of activity:phishing@IRS.gov. However, that is the sole purpose of the email address. You will not receive any other type of support if you register there.
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The IRS warns that it does not acknowledge or respond to emails sent to phishing@IRS.gov.
Other ways to contact the IRS
So what should a taxpayer do? The IRS is open to virtually any other means of communication, with the exception of text messaging and social media. Your options depend on how hard you want to work to reach the agency and the nature of your issue.
Connect to the IRS Online
The IRS is not entirely tech-shy. You can raise numerous issues onlineIRS.gov. There you can view the status of your refund or create onepayment planif you owe money. You can make a payment or receive a copy of a previously filed tax return. You can submit your return electronically there or find out where to send a paper return. You can even check your IRS account to confirm your payments made as well as everyone elsepenalties or interestwhich may have added up to any balance owed by you.You can access copies of any tax forms you need, as well as IRS publications.
However, the website option does not offer human contact and interaction. You can get answers to many tax questions, but only if your question is one that the IRS has answered on the website. On the plus side, thatisthe Internet, so the site is available 24/7.
Contact the IRS by phone
You'll have to call the IRS if you want to ask a person a question, but first, take a deep breath. You might be on the phone for a while.
The IRS states that the average wait time during tax season (January through April) is 13 minutes and warns that "some phone services may have longer wait times." The wait tends to be longer on Mondays, Tuesdays, President's Day weekend and near the tax return deadline, typically April 15. According to the agency, the average waiting time increases to 19 minutes from May to December.
Most phone lines are open from 7am to 7pm. Local time except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Use Pacific Time if you are in Alaska or Hawaii. The availability shifts to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Puerto Rico.The main information number 800-829-1040 is available 24 hours a day.
The number you use may depend on why you are calling. Alist is availableon the IRS website. Some commonly used IRS phone numbers are:
- 800-829-4933: Questions about tax law or your IRS account
- 800-829-1040: Questions about the status of your tax refund or other issues, including assistance if you speak Spanish
- 800-829-4059: Questions about the status of your refund if you have hearing impairments
- 833-533-9895: If you speak a language other than English or Spanish
- 800-829-3676: For help with tax forms and instructions
- 800-829-4477: For recorded answers to 100 common tax questions
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The IRS warns that you should only call about yoursrefundif you submitted electronically at least three weeks ago or if six weeks have passed since you submitted a paper declaration. Be prepared to take steps to verify your identity by providing various personal information such as your social security or tax identification number.
Visit an IRS office in person
You can ask for help in person if your problem is such that a recorded message or even a voice over the phone is not enough to solve your problem. The IRS offers taxpayer support centers across the country.
You can access onesearch toolonline to find the IRS location near you. The tool will provide you with a phone number for your chosen location, or you can call 844-545-5640.You must make an appointment prior to your visit. When you call, you can also find out what services are available at that particular location. Some still have COVID-19 precautions in effect as of December 2022.
The final result
The best way to reach the IRS depends heavily on why you need to contact the agency, but sending paper information through the US Postal system should probably be your last resort. As of December 2022, the IRS states that "we are taking longer to process documents sent in the mail, including paper tax returns" and that "all mail will be processed in the order in which we receive it." You may want to use one of the other options if you are dealing with a time sensitive issue.
You may also qualify for third-party assistance from IRS-certified volunteers. theVoluntary Income Tax Assistance Programis available to low- and middle-income taxpayers, senior citizens, taxpayers with disabilities and those who do not speak English well.Tax advice for the elderlyis a similar program for taxpayers aged 60 and over.
And theAttorney service for taxpayersstands by to help with IRS collection problems that you couldn't solve with the IRS. Offices remain closed or restricted due to COVID from December 2022, but telephone assistance is available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the email address of the IRS?
The IRS has an email address, but it's only for reporting phishing andfraudSchemata: phishing@IRS.gov.
How do I know if an IRS email is genuine?
It is not. theIRSwill not, under any circumstances, send emails, even to reply to those received at phishing@irs.gov.
How can I contact a person at the IRS?
Your best option to ensure live interaction in a timely manner would be to visit aTaxpayer Assistance Centerpersonally. Otherwise you can call 800-829-1040 and follow the instructions.
FAQs
Can I communicate with the IRS by email? ›
You should not send personal information to us via email unless it is through a secure IRS online application via IRS.gov. We will only send you general information via unsecure email.
Do IRS agents have emails? ›Avoid email, phishing and malware schemes
The IRS does not use email, text messages or social media to discuss tax debts or refunds with taxpayers.
Taxpayers may ask tax questions by calling the toll-free customer service line at 1-800-829-1040 for individual tax issues or 1-800-829-4933 for business-related tax issues. TTY/TDD users may call 1-800-829- 4059 to ask tax questions or to order forms and publications.
How do I talk to an IRS agent in person? ›You can find the office closest to you with our Taxpayer Assistance Locator tool. Once you find your local office, see what services are available. Then, call 844-545-5640 to schedule an appointment.
What is the best way to communicate with the IRS? ›The IRS does not communicate with taxpayers via email, so the best way to reach a representative is to call the Help Line at (800)829-1040.
What is the fastest way to talk to someone at IRS? ›Contact an IRS customer service representative to correct any agency errors by calling 800-829-1040 (see telephone assistance for hours of operation).
Can I chat with IRS online? ›IRS unveils voice and chat bots to assist taxpayers with simple collection questions and tasks; provides faster service, reduced wait times | Internal Revenue Service.
What is the IRS email address format? ›The most common Internal Revenue Service email format is [first]. [last] (ex. jane.doe@irs.gov), which is being used by 98.0% of Internal Revenue Service work email addresses. Other common Internal Revenue Service email patterns are [first][last] (ex.
How do I ask the IRS a question online? ›IRS.gov is always available and has tools to help people file and pay taxes, find information about their account, and get answers to tax questions.
How do I solve an IRS problem? ›You can file Form 911, Request For Taxpayer Advocate Service Assistance (And Application for Taxpayer Assistance Order), or ask an IRS employee to complete it on your behalf. For more information, go to Taxpayer Advocate Service.
What to do if you can't get through to the IRS? ›
Make an In-Person Appointment at a Local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) The IRS has locations in every state where you can receive in-person assistance at a local office. The Taxpayer Assistance Center page lists where you can find TAC help in your state.
Does IRS ever answer the phone? ›You're welcome to call the main IRS number (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time). The agency's average telephone service waiting time is 13 minutes during filing season (January through April) and 19 minutes off-season (May through December).
Is there another way to contact IRS besides phone? ›Visit the Local IRS Office
Of course, you can go to your local IRS office and speak to an IRS representative. The IRS has Taxpayer Assistance Center offices everywhere. All states have such offices.
A good rule of thumb: Call as early in the morning as possible. Phones are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (your local time) Monday to Friday, except: Residents of Hawaii and Alaska should follow Pacific time.
Who can help me with my tax problems? ›Contact the IRS
You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or TTY: 1-800-829-4059. This option works best for less complex questions. Keep in mind that wait times to speak with a representative may be long. You may also contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service if you're having a tax problem.
Other Ways to Reach a Real Person at the IRS
You can't just show up at a local IRS office any time, but you must make an appointment ahead of time. That IRS number is 844-545-5640.
Payment plans
Visit www.irs.gov/paymentplan for more information on installment agreements and online payment agreements. You can also call us at 1- 800-829-0922 to discuss your options.
If you need to reach the Internal Revenue Service, your wait on hold will average about a half-hour, the tax agency says, noting that “some telephone service lines may have longer wait times.”
Is there a way to communicate with the IRS online? ›This service is available through the IRS's Taxpayer Digital Communication (TDC) program.