The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →For most individual tax-account questions, call the IRS at 800-829-1040. Businesses should call 800-829-4933. Tax professionals, international callers, and e-product users have separate contact routes, so use the directory below to avoid a line that cannot handle your issue. Hours and callback availability vary by line; confirm current details on the linked IRS pages before calling.
Which IRS number should you call?
| Caller and issue | Contact | Hours and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals with Form 1040 or personal tax-account questions | 800-829-1040 | Listed hours are 7 a.m.–7 p.m. local time. For general tax-law questions, the IRS recommends trying online self-service tools first where practical. |
| Business return, account, EIN, or federal tax deposit questions | 800-829-4933 | Listed regular hours are 7 a.m.–7 p.m. taxpayer local time. The business listing says Alaska and Hawaii follow Pacific time. |
| Tax professionals asking about an authorized client’s account | Practitioner Priority Service: 866-860-4259 | Valid third-party authorization is required. The IRS identifies Forms 2848, 8821, and/or 8655 for PPS access. International account inquiries are not handled by PPS. |
| Taxpayers calling from outside the United States | 267-941-1000 | Not toll-free. Listed weekday hours are 6 a.m.–11 p.m. Eastern time. Eligible individuals with an international tax issue and an active IRS online account can also use international live chat. |
| Tax professionals with e-file, EFTPS, or e-Services technical issues | e-Help Desk: 866-255-0654 | Listed hours are Monday–Friday, 6:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Central time. This desk handles specified e-product issues, not tax-account questions. |
| TTY/TDD assistance | 800-829-4059 | See the IRS contact directory for current details and other specialized numbers. |
The IRS directory also lists specialized contacts for matters such as nonprofit, estate and gift, excise, refund, identity-protection, and forms-and-publications questions. Use the directory for the current number and hours when your issue does not fit one of the main routes above.
How to speak with an IRS representative
Call the line that matches your caller type and issue. The IRS may offer a return call on most toll-free topics when the wait exceeds 15 minutes, if a representative can call back during regular business hours. A callback is an option, not a guarantee, and exact waits vary.
For general tax-law questions, the IRS advises trying its online self-service tools first where practical. If you need in-person help, use the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center guidance to find a location and check which services it provides, then call 844-545-5640 to schedule an appointment. IRS offices close on federal holidays.
#1 Best Overall
![H&R Block Tax Software Deluxe + State 2025 Win/Mac [PC/Mac Online Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41ZQoiZKHHL._SL160_.jpg)
- Tax prep made smarter: With AI Tax Assist, you can get real-time expert answers from start to finish.
- Step-by-step Q&A and guidance
- Quickly import your W-2, 1099, 1098, and last year's personal tax return, even from TurboTax and Quicken software
- Itemize deductions with Schedule A
- Accuracy Review checks for issues and assesses your audit risk
Check the line’s hours before you call
The main individual and business lines list weekday hours of 7 a.m.–7 p.m. local time; for the business contact listing, Alaska and Hawaii use Pacific time. Specialized lines have their own schedules and time zones. IRS phone lines exclude federal holidays, so check the relevant IRS contact page before calling.
Use the correct route for tax professionals
Account matters: Practitioner Priority Service
The Practitioner Priority Service is for tax professionals with valid third-party authorization who need help with account-related issues. It does not handle international account inquiries and will not transfer those callers to the international line; use the international contact route instead.
Rank #2
![H&R Block Tax Software Deluxe + State 2022 with Refund Bonus Offer (Amazon Exclusive) [PC Download] (Old Version)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41n0FVam4VL._SL160_.jpg)
- Choose to put your refund on an Amazon gift card and you can get a 2.75% bonus. See below for details
- One state program download included— a $39.95 value
- Reporting assistance on income from investments, stock options, home sales, and retirement
- Guidance on maximizing mortgage interest and real estate tax deductions (Schedule A)
- Step-by-step Q&A and guidance
Technical matters: e-Help Desk
The e-Help Desk is for specified e-file, EFTPS, and e-Services technical issues. It is not an account-resolution line. Individual taxpayers with e-filing questions should use the IRS’s individual help resources.
Contact the IRS safely
Use IRS.gov to initiate contact rather than trusting an unexpected caller. The IRS states in Publication 4681: “The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages (including shortened links), telephone calls, or social media channels to request or verify personal or financial information.” Be wary of unsolicited callers asking for sensitive personal or financial information; a caller’s knowledge of personal details does not establish that the call is legitimate.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRank #3
What IRS call-volume figures do—and do not—show
The Taxpayer Advocate Service’s IRS Publication 4054, revised June 2025, reports that the Taxpayer Protection Program phone line received over 3.5 million calls and answered 1.6 million in fiscal year 2025. Those figures describe that specific identity-verification line, not all IRS phone lines.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Compatible with Laser Link Tax Preparation Software. (Product 95412)
- Compatible with TFP (Product 95414) Tax Preparation Software
- W-3 Transmittal of Wage and Tax Statements (8 1/2 x 11 sheet)
- After June 1st forms are for current tax year
- See below for product details
Rank #4
![H&R Block Tax Software Deluxe 2025 Win/Mac [PC/Mac Online Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41z8KLOs3ML._SL160_.jpg)
- Tax prep made smarter: With AI Tax Assist, you can get real-time expert answers from start to finish.
- Step-by-step Q&A and guidance
- Quickly import your W-2, 1099, 1098, and last year's personal tax return, even from TurboTax and Quicken software
- Itemize deductions with Schedule A
- Accuracy Review checks for issues and assesses your audit risk
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
