How to Talk to a Human at IRS

This phone number is the fastest way to get a real person on the phone at the IRS.

FEBRUARY 2023 UPDATE: This method works to talk to a human at the IRS. Let us know if you have a problem with any of the other numbers below.

We confirmed ourselves that this phone number is the fastest way to talk to a human at the IRS: 800-829-1040 in February 2023. Here are the steps to speak to get a real person (we can’t promise they will know what the hell they are talking about):

1. Dial (800) 829-1040
2. Press Option #1 for English
3. Ignore everything they are saying.
4. Press 3
5. Ignore everything they are saying.
6. Press 2
7. They will say you are being transferred to the business tax line. That’s ok, they will still talk to you about your personal taxes.
8. Ignore everything they are saying.
9. Press 3
10. It worked immediately for us.
11. If not, you could try many of the options in that final menu; or, make yourself a drink and sit on hold at the original menu option.
12. Scroll while you wait to look at other phone numbers below to check the status of your tax refund.

More IRS Phone Numbers

Although the main IRS phone number to check your tax refund status the IRS is 800-829-1040, below are other phone numbers that may get you help quicker depending on your situation.

The best numbers to call at the IRS
IRS Check Refund Phone Number	1-800-829-1040 1-800-829-1954
IRS Amended Tax Return	1-800-829-0582 ext. 652 or ext 633
IRS ID Verify – Tax Payer Protection Hotline	1-800-830-5084 If you were unable to ID Verify online or received the following notices: 4883C, 5071C, 5447C, 5747C, 6330C, 6331C
IRS Treasury Offset Program (TOPS) for Child Support, Student Loans, Non-tax Debt	1-800-304-3107
IRS Received Letter or Notice	1-800-829-0922
IRS Levy Program	1-800-829-7650 or 1-800-829-3903
IRS Identity Theft: Identity Protection Specialized Unit (IPSU) Victims of ID Theft or if you already provided documentation and need to follow-up.	1-800-908-4490
IRS Order Transcript Phone Number	1-800-908-9946 or 1-800-829-3676
IRS Exams	Wage & Investment (W&I) 1-866-897-0177 Small Business/Self Employed (SBSE) 1-866-897-0161
IRS Balance Due	Wage & Investment (W&I) 1-800-829-7650 Small Business/Self Employed (SBSE)1-800-829-3903
IRS Request Installment Agreement	1-800-829-3676
IRS Automated Underreporter Program	1-800-829-3676
Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS)	1-877-777-4778 1-800-829-4059
Request an Appointment at a Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC)	1-844-545-5640
Other IRS numbers	1-866-682-7451 ext 568 – 1095A/8962 Form Reconciliation 1-866-682-7451 ext 733 – Bank couldn’t process your direct deposit  CP53A 1-866-682-7451 ext 569 – Advance Payments of PTC Letter 5596 1-888-841-4648 – e-Help desk Online Services Info Hotline (unable to register online) 1-800-829-0922 – CP05 Hotline 1-866-897-3315 – Delinquent Refund Hold CP63
Do you owe prior years taxes to the IRS?	Delinquent tax payers will receive IRS notice that provides a specific number to call for their tax account info.
Links to IRS Services online
Call your Local Tax Advocate	Find Local Tax Advocate Phone Number
Order an IRS Return Transcript or Account Transcript	IRS Transcript
Your Taxpayer Rights!	Your Rights!
Where’s My Refund	IRS Where’s My Refund? (WMR)

Tax Preparers

These are other phones numbers you could use to check the status of your tax refund.

TurboTax Phone Number

	The phone number to talk to a human at TurboTax.
Customer Service	1-800-797-4625
	1-800-446-8848

H&R Block Phone Number

	The phone number to talk to a human at H&R Block.
Customer Service	1-800-472-5625
Emerald Card Customer Service Emerald Savings Emerald Advance	1-888-687-4722

TPG Phone Number (formerly SBBT Santa Barbara)

	The phone number to talk to a human at TPG (previously Santa Barbara Bank & Trust) which is the bank used by TurboTax if you opted have preparation fees withdrawn from your refund or applied for an advance.
Customer Service	877-908-7228
	800-901-6663
Check Status	taxpayer.sbtpg.com

TaxAct Phone Number

	Talk to a human at TaxAct.
Customer Service	1-319-373-3600

Republic Bank Phone Number

	Talk to a human at Republic Bank. This is the bank used by TaxSlayer if you opted to have preparation fees deducted from your refund.
Customer Service	(866) 581-1040
Check Status	Republic Check Refund Status

Liberty Tax Phone Number

	Talk to a human at Liberty Tax
Customer Service	1-800-966-0868

Tax Slayer Phone Numbers

	Talk to a human at TaxSlayer
Customer Service	(706) 922-6741

	Talk to a human at Free Tax USA
Customer Service	All customer support is provided through email or through direct messaging within the software. They do not offer phone support. [email protected]

	Talk to a human at Credit Karma
Customer Service	888-236-5798
Online	Submit Online Inquiry

State Tax Refund Sites and Phone Numbers

	State Contacts
Check State Refund Status	State Income Tax Refund Sites

Banks and Prepaid Cards

We have a forum here with all the different banks and prepaid cards.

Other phone numbers reported by our users.

Ask other what phone numbers they used to get answers in our live discussion: Where’s My Refund Live Discussion

Other Resources

Official IRS Refund Cycle Chart

The official IRS refund cycle charts have been eliminated. Every chart you find when you Google are estimates by the company or person who published the page. Each year we estimate the date which you can expect your tax refund based on experience from the prior years. 2023 Refund Cycle Chart

Refund Cycle Chart

Use the 2023 Refund Cycle Chart to get the best estimate when to expect your tax refund.

Report Mistreatment by IRS Employee

To report mistreatment by an IRS Employee or if you are aware of fraud, waste, mismanagement, and abuse in the IRS programs and operations, report it to the TIGTA

Transaction Code and Error Search

You can lookup IRS Transaction Code and Errors in our completed list.