COVID-19 Mail Processing Delays It’s taking us longer to process mailed documents including: Paper tax returns, and All tax return related correspondence. We are processing all mail in the order we received it. Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS. Online Tools and Resources COVID-19 Tax Relief Coronavirus tax relief Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus) Get My Payment tool Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info tool IRS operations and services availability Payments and Penalties Payments Payment options Payment plan or installment agreement Financial hardship View your balance and payment history Help for struggling taxpayers Offer in Compromise Liens and levies Understanding a federal tax lien Understanding a levy 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 Frequently Asked Questions Letter from the IRS Understanding your IRS notice or letter Verify your identity (5071C) Verify your identity (4883C) You owe money on unpaid taxes (CP14) Balance due notification (CP501) Balance due and we haven’t heard from you (CP503) Imminent levy notification (CP504) Installment agreement payment reminder (CP521) Income reporting or payment error (CP2000) Note: Most correspondence requires approximately 45-90 days for processing. Correspondence regarding identity theft cases generally requires 120 days for resolution. Check Refund Status Where’s My Refund? Refund less than expected Received a refund but wasn't expecting one Lost refund Frequently Asked Questions Expecting a refund? The IRS issues more than 9 out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days. When to check status of your refund: Within 24 hours after we've received your e-filed tax return; or 4 weeks after mailing your paper return. You should only call if: It has been 3 weeks or more since you filed electronically (11 weeks if Form 8379, Injured Spouse was included); It has been more than 6 weeks since you mailed your paper return (14 weeks if Form 8379, Injured Spouse was included); or Where’s My Refund? directs you to contact us. 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 To get your refund faster, e-file your return and choose direct deposit for your refund. Free File your return E-file options for individual taxpayers Direct deposit your refund File for a deceased taxpayer 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. Filing by mail Find a Mailing Address We generally process mailed returns (individuals or business) within 4 - 6 weeks. Common questions Use our Interactive Tax Assistant to answer your tax-related questions, such as: Should you file? What is your filing status? Are your Social Security benefits taxable? Is your pension or annuity taxable? Are your unemployment benefits taxable? Correct/Amend a Return Should you file an amended return File your amended 2019 return electronically Where’s My 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 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 Telephone and Local Assistance Coronavirus (COVID-19) Assistance Impacts Telephone Assistance: IRS live phone assistance is extremely limited at this time. For Economic Impact Payment questions, call 800-919-9835. IRS Phone Numbers 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 15 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 27 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. Individuals800-829-1040 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time Businesses800-829-4933 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time Non-profit taxes877-829-5500 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 taxes866-699-4096 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 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 relative to the novel Coronavirus. 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, call 844-545-5640 to schedule an appointment. IRS offices are closed on federal holidays. Other Available Help Certain taxpayers may qualify for free tax assistance. If you’re having tax problems associated with financial difficulties or immediate threat of adverse action and you haven’t been able to resolve them with the IRS, the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) may be able to help you. Other Topics Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) Injured Spouse Claims Affordable Care Act (ACA) Bankruptcy Deceased Taxpayer Unemployment Benefits Disaster Relief Retirement and IRA Free Help from Volunteers Tools Free File Your Return View Your Account Information Change Your Address Earned Income Tax Credit Assistant Can't Find Something on IRS.gov?
