How Do You Contact a Real Person at the IRS?
Individuals can speak to an IRS representative on the phone by calling the agency’s general tax assistant number at 1-800-829-1040. Hearing impaired individuals can reach a live person by calling 1-800-829-4059. The IRS number to call for businesses seeking tax assistance is 1-800-829-4933. Tax refund questions are answered at 1-800-829-4477.
The IRS has an automated telephone response system that guides callers through various tax options. The agency has several numbers, and taxpayers should double-check the phone number before calling to ensure the right number is dialed. Depending on the time of day, the wait to speak with a live representative typically ranges from five to 30 minutes as of 2015. On days when call volume is heavy, wait times on the phone are unpredictable.
Conversation with a live IRS tax assistant is likely to go smoother when the taxpayer has relevant information prepared and ready before the call. Taxpayers must be prepared to give personal identification information for validation purposes. Filling out tax forms ahead of time is helpful, but IRS representatives can send out tax forms when needed.
Alternatives to speaking with a live IRS representative are available. For instance, the IRS has a smartphone app that allows taxpayers to access information remotely. The IRS TeleTax line provides previously recorded information for a variety of tax issues.
