IRS Offers Tax Help Online and Over the Phone

0

Today marks two weeks before the opening of the new tax season (it starts January 23, 2017). If you need in-person tax help from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), you’ll find that 2017 is a little different: for 2017, you will be need an appointment for in-person tax assistance at any IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC).

As the IRS experimented with the appointments from 2015, 2017 is the first year that all taxpayer assistance centers require an appointment. In previous years, the IRS served taxpayers on a first come, first served basis. If you’ve ever stood in line at a government agency (think DMV), you know what that could lead to: long waits and frustrated taxpayers. But an appointment – like going to the doctor – means taxpayers will have a specific time to see a representative. It should make a difference (although, according to your doctor, you know how it can be).

To make an appointment, taxpayers can call 844.545.5640. You can also use the TAC tool to find a location near you.

The IRS notes that not all taxpayers with questions will need to visit a TAC. Most problems, according to the IRS, can be resolved online or over the phone. If you need help over the phone, here is a short list of useful numbers:

  • Individuals: 800.829.1040
  • Companies: 800.829.4933
  • Hearing impaired: 800 829 4059 (TDD)

Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, unless otherwise specified. Residents of Alaska and Hawaii follow Pacific Time. Puerto Rico phone lines are open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time.

Keep in mind that taxpayers can experience very high call volumes, especially during reporting season. In 2016, the IRS answered the phone more than 70% of the time – much better than in 2015. The hope is that the number of answered calls will reach those 2016 levels again – but that still means 3 in 10 taxpayers are not receiving calls answered.

How to avoid long waiting times? If you must call the IRS, try off-peak hours (usually early in the morning) and avoid Mondays. But hey, you already knew that no one likes to call someone on Mondays.

Chances are some of your questions can be answered with the click of a mouse. Online services offered by the IRS include:

You can also find resources, tax forms and publications online. The best part? Unlike phones, you can use online services any time of the day (some restrictions apply while updating systems). And while you’re at it, feel free to click for as much information as you want: Between January and mid-May 2016, taxpayers used the IRS website almost 349 million times.

Share.

About Author

Leave A Reply