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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsIRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) provide in-person help with tax issues that cannot be resolved online or by phone. Make an appointment before visiting, confirm that the office handles your issue, and bring two forms of identification, your Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and the tax documents related to your case. Requirements can differ by office and by IRS notice.
What help can you get at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center?
A TAC can help in person when remote IRS options are not enough. Services vary by location, so use the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center locator to check the specific office’s services and hours before arranging a visit.
Some TACs provide ITIN application assistance. At designated locations, IRS staff can review a completed Form W-7, authenticate most supporting documents, return authenticated documents after the appointment, and mail the application package for processing. A spouse or dependent applying for an ITIN must attend in person with their own application package. Confirm that the TAC offers this service and follow its appointment instructions.
For language access, the IRS says phone interpretation is available in many languages through its translation service. Sign-language interpreter arrangements use TTY/TDD.
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What should you bring to your appointment?
Use this checklist, then compare it with your appointment confirmation and any IRS letter you received:
- Two forms of identification: Bring a current government-issued photo ID and a second identity document. Examples listed by the IRS include a driver’s license, state ID, passport, Social Security card, lease, mortgage statement, vehicle title, utility bill, voter registration card, birth certificate, or qualifying school records. Some documents have specific qualifications; follow the appointment instructions.
- Your SSN or ITIN: Bring the number and any related documentation relevant to the issue.
- Issue-specific tax records: Bring the notice or letter, the tax return involved, and supporting records requested for the relevant tax year. If the issue concerns a return, account, or notice, check the IRS instructions for any additional documents.
- Any documents named in your appointment confirmation: Requirements can be specific to the service or the notice. The confirmation and notice instructions take precedence over a general checklist.
How to prepare for and attend a TAC appointment
- Find the right office: Use the IRS locator to check the location’s hours and available services. TAC capabilities are not uniform.
- Schedule by phone: Call ahead so the office can confirm it provides the service you need. The IRS appointment page also describes optional text reminders.
- Gather the requested documents: Use the checklist above and read your notice and appointment confirmation carefully.
- Arrive on time: The IRS says an appointment may be canceled if you arrive more than 15 minutes late without checking in. Follow the location’s entry rules; IRS instructions say not to bring food or drinks, cameras, or weapons.
Extra documents required by some IRS notices
A generic checklist may not cover identity-verification or return-processing requirements. Follow the exact letter you received and bring the documents it names.
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Letter 5747C
Follow the letter’s instructions. If it directs you to an in-person appointment, call the number provided to schedule. Bring the letter, the referenced Form 1040-series return, supporting documents, and the requested identity documents. If someone represents you, you still must attend so the IRS can authenticate your identity.
Letter 6167C
Bring the letter, the return in question, a prior-year return, supporting documents for the returns, a government-issued photo ID, and at least one additional identity document from the IRS list. The letter explains that these items are needed to verify your identity and process the return.
Should you visit, use IRS online or phone help, or contact TAS?
Choose the route that fits the problem. Routine account tasks are often handled remotely; a TAC is for issues that need in-person assistance; and the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) may be an option for qualifying unresolved problems or economic hardship.
| Route | Best fit | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| IRS online or phone assistance | Routine account tasks and common questions | The IRS lists payments, payment plans, transcripts, refund checks, account information, online filing, and tax answers among the tasks available through its online channels. Start with the IRS option for your issue. |
| Taxpayer Assistance Center appointment | An issue not resolved remotely or a service requiring an in-person visit | Appointment and document requirements apply; available services vary by office. Some locations offer ITIN services. |
| Taxpayer Advocate Service | Certain serious IRS problems that remain unresolved through ordinary channels, or problems causing economic hardship | TAS is a separate route for qualifying cases, not a substitute for routine TAC services. |
For routine tasks, the IRS’s Let Us Help You page points to online and phone options. If your issue is causing economic hardship or cannot be resolved through ordinary IRS channels, see the Taxpayer Advocate Service contact information.
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What the IRS says about appointments
IRS Publication 15-A (2026), page 27, says: “All TACs now provide service by appointment, so you’ll know in advance that you can get the service you need without long wait times.” Check the current instructions for your specific office before traveling, since its hours and available services are location-dependent.
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