Contact an IRS customer service representative to correct any agency errors by calling 800-829-1040 (see telephone assistance for hours of operation). Unfortunately, this may result in you receiving a paper check.
It’s taking us longer to process mailed documents including paper tax returns. We’re processing all mail in the order we receive it. Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS. Get the latest information on IRS operations and services.
Child Tax Credit
Many families received advance payments of the Child Tax Credit in 2021. You can see your advance payments total in:
- Your online account
- your Letter 6419
Reconcile (compare) the total you received with the amount you're eligible to claim when you file your 2021 tax return.
If you didn't receive advance payments, you can claim the full amount of the 2021 Child Tax Credit if you're eligible — even if you don't normally file a tax return. To claim the full Child Tax Credit, file a 2021 tax return.
For more information see Tax Year 2021/Filing Season 2022 Child Tax Credit Frequently Asked Questions.
Coronavirus Tax Relief
- Coronavirus tax relief
- Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus)
- Recovery Rebate Credit
File a Return
Getting ready
- Incorrect, lost, or never received W-2
- Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
Filing help
- Free tax preparation help
- Choose a tax professional
Filing
File an accurate return and use e-file and direct deposit to avoid delays.
- Free File your return
- E-file options for individual taxpayers
- Direct deposit your refund
- 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. To get your AGI quickly, order a tax transcript online or access your Online Account.
Filing by mail
- Find a Mailing Address
It’s taking us longer to process mailed documents including paper tax returns. We’re processing all mail in the order we receive it. Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS. Get the latest information on IRS operations and services.
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?
Payments and Penalties
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
Get a Tax Transcript
- Order a tax transcript
- Transcript types
- Alternatives if you can’t verify your identity to get your transcript online
- Get a letter of non-filing
- Get Transcript Frequently Asked Questions
Letter from the IRS
- Understanding your IRS notice or letter
- 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
It’s taking us longer to process mailed documents including paper tax returns. We’re processing all mail in the order we receive it. Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS. Get the latest information on IRS operations and services.
Correct/Amend a Return
- Should you file an amended return
- Where’s My Amended Return?
- Amended Return Frequently Asked Questions
To check the status of your amended return:
- You must wait 3 weeks after filing the form before using Where’s My Amended Return? tool.
You should only call if:
- It has been more than 16 weeks since you mailed the amended return; or
- The Where’s My Amended Return? tool directs you to call us.
Identity Theft, Fraud and Scams
Identity theft
- Identity Theft Central
- Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft
- Protect your data
- IRS notice 4883C or CP01
- 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
Business Topics
- 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
It’s taking us longer to process mailed documents including paper tax returns. We’re processing all mail in the order we receive it. Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS. Get the latest information on IRS operations and services.
Telephone and Local Assistance
Mail Processing Delays
It’s taking us longer to process mailed documents including paper tax returns. We’re processing all mail in the order we receive it.
If you mailed a tax return and haven’t yet heard from us, don’t call or file a second return. Find expected wait times for current IRS operations and services.
IRS Phone Numbers and Tax Help Options
Telephone assistors can help with many topics but see the list of topics 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) for taxpayers without a Social Security number
- Filing status – single, head of household, married filing joint, or married filing separate
- Prior-year tax return
- Tax return you’re calling about
- Any correspondence we sent to you
Third parties calling for someone else
- Verbal or written authorization to discuss the account
- Taxpayer’s name, SSN or ITIN
- Tax return you're calling about
- Valid Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization or Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative
- 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)
- Telephone service wait times can average 13 minutes. Some telephone service lines may have longer wait times.
- Telephone service wait times are higher on Monday and Tuesday, during Presidents Day weekend and around the April tax filing deadline.
Post-Filing Season
(May - December)
- Telephone service wait times can average 19 minutes. Some telephone service lines may have longer wait times.
- Telephone service wait times are generally higher on Monday and Tuesday.
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.
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
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
8 a.m. to 3:30 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
Interpretation Services
If you can't find the answers to your tax questions on IRS.gov, we can offer you help in more than 350 languages with the support of professional interpreters. For assistance in Spanish, call 800-829-1040. For all other languages, call 833-553-9895. You will reach an IRS assistor who can:
- Provide an interpreter over the phone, or
- Schedule an appointment for you at one of our local Taxpayer Assistance Centers so you can get help face-to-face. Please note, our local offices provide assistance only on specific topics.
Requesting a face-to-face meeting for help
You can make an appointment at an IRS local office to get help. Appointment times vary by tax issues and office locations.
To help protect taxpayers and employees, the COVID-19 Screening Tool is available for people to self-screen for symptoms. This tool is for optional use by IRS employees, taxpayers, tax professionals and others prior to entering an IRS facility. The IRS is committed to protecting against further spread of COVID-19, and we encourage people to use this self-screening tool prior to visiting IRS facilities.
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.