When calling the IRS write the IRS employee name, badge number, time and date of the conversation. You will need to provide this information in order to verify the conversation. Ask the IRS employee to give this information slowly so that you can write it down. IRS employees tend to say it too quickly to write it down. It is important to document the conversation because IRS employees commonly give incorrect information. You may need this to document that you relied on incorrect information provided by the IRS. The Taxpayer Advocate recently conducted a test by calling the IRS on the toll-free help line about the tax changes. They asked an easy question about claiming the dependency exception which has been eliminated. The IRS never gave the correct answer to this question.
Normally if you receive a letter from the IRS, there will be a contact number in the letter. Use the contact number to address the issue.
There are different methods of getting information from the IRS depending on what you need.
The general number for contacting the IRS is 800-829-1040.
If you are trying to find the status of your refund use Where’s my refund. Simply go to the IRS website and look for Where’s my refund.
The tool tracks your refund's progress through 3 stages:
- Return Received
- Refund Approved
- Refund Sent
You get personalized refund information based on the processing of your tax return. The tool provides the refund date as soon as the IRS processes your tax return and approves your refund.
You can start checking on the status of your return sooner - within 24 hours after we receive your e-filed return or 4 weeks after a mailed paper return.
It's updated every 24 hours - usually overnight -- so you only need to check once a day. There's no need to call IRS unless Where's My Refund? tells you to do so.
You will need to have your tax return handy, so you can provide your social security number, filing status and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund.
It’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you do not have internet access, call IRS's Refund Hotline at 1-800-829-1954.
Nearly every tax issue can now be resolved online or by phone from the convenience of your home or office. If you need help from a Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC), call to schedule an appointment. All TACs are now providing service by appointment.
Local Taxpayer Assistance Center
In order to find a Taxpayer Assistance Center closest to you, enter your 5-digit ZIP Code into the Office Locator. Note: In order to receive services, you will be asked to provide valid photo identification and a Taxpayer Identification Number, such as a Social Security number.
David Zubler is a tax accountant and Enrolled Agent representing clients before the IRS with over 25 years of tax experience. He is the author of four tax books and is the founder and president of Your Tax Care. The company provides business and tax education to the public at its website, YourTaxCare.com. David can also be contacted by email at zublerdavid@gmail.com
