How Do I Contact the IRS?
- When to Contact the IRS
- How to Contact the IRS
- Preparing to Contact the IRS
- What Does the IRS Help With?
- Where to file IRS Documents
- Why Choose E-file.com?
Tax filing questions? Get your questions answered by contacting the IRS via mailing address, phone and more
Tax season tends to creep up on you and before you know it, April 15th is just around the corner. If you're in the middle of the tax filing process, tax questions are bound to arise—there are several ways to get the answers you need. Let's look further into navigating the resources available to you.
When to Contact the IRS
1. IRS Audit
One of the most common reasons why tax filers contact the IRS is due to receiving a dreaded IRS audit letter. If you receive one, try not to panic as most tax issues are simple to fix. Before you contact the IRS, start by finding out what section of your tax return the government wants to audit. Once you know what the auditor is questioning, you can start gathering the requested information. An audit doesn't always indicate a problem. You may be getting audited for one of the following reasons:
Random selection and computer screening
This type of IRS audit is selected based solely on a statistical formula. The IRS compares your tax return against "norms" for similar returns. The IRS develops these "norms" from audits of a statistically valid random sample of returns.
Related examinations
The IRS may select your returns when they involve issues or transactions with other taxpayers, such as business partners or investors, whose returns were selected for an audit.
2. Missing W-2
Missing tax forms such as a W-2 is another popular reason why filers contact the IRS. However, if you haven't received your form by mid-February, there are a few options available to you, including contacting the IRS.
Contact your Employer. Ask your employer (or former employer) for a copy. Be sure they have your correct address.
If you're unable to get a copy from your employer, contact the IRS after February 23rd. At this point, the IRS will send your employer a letter on your behalf. When contacting the IRS about a missing W2, make sure to have:
- Your name, address, Social Security number and phone number.
- Your employer's name, address and phone number.
- The dates you worked for the employer.
- An estimate of your wages and federal income tax withheld. You can use your final pay stub for these amounts.
How to Contact the IRS
By IRS Customer Service Numbers
Individual telephone assistance can be obtained by dialing 1-800-829-1040 Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 7 PM.
By IRS Address
You can find a clickable map of the United States on the IRS website which allows you to select your home state and determine the appropriate mailing address for each filing.
By IRS Website
The IRS offers the Interactive Tax Assistant to find and submit general tax questions. However, it's best not to use it for more complex questions that require individualized information.
In-Person
Referred to as the Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TAC), in-person IRS offices are open from Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 7 PM.
When Preparing to Contact the IRS, Be Sure to Have the Following Information Available
When Calling About Your Own Account
- Social Security cards and birth dates for those who were on the return you are calling about
- An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) letter if you don't have a Social Security number (SSN)
- Filing status – Single, Head of Household, Married Filing Joint or Married Filing Separate
- Your prior-year tax return
- A copy of the tax return you're calling about
- Any letters or notices sent to you by the IRS
When Calling About Someone Else's Account
- Verbal or written authorization to discuss the account
- The ability to verify the taxpayer's name, SSN/ITIN, tax period, form(s)
- IRS PTIN or PIN if you are a third-party designee
- A current, completed, and signed Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization or a completed and signed Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative
What Does the IRS Help With?
The IRS can assist with concerns such as
Filing requirements/ status/ dependents/ exemptions
Itemizing or standard deduction questions
Interest, dividends, other types of taxable income
Social Security income
Pensions, annuities and Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) questions
Child Care and Earned Tax Credits
Capital gains, losses, sales of homes
Estimated tax payments and underpayment questions
Small business/self-employed income
Filling for aliens and U.S. citizens living abroad
Where to file IRS Documents
If you have taxable income under $100,000, do not claim dependents and satisfy a few other criteria, you may be able to use our software to file for free. Please refer to this page for more information: https://www.e-file.com/how-to-file-free.php. Depending on your location, IRS returns and documents are filed with different IRS offices around the United States. The following is a list of states, other jurisdictions and addresses for mailing your IRS filings.
| State Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia | |
|---|---|
| With Payment | Without Payment |
| Forms 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040V: | Form 1040: |
| Form 1040-ES: | Form 1040A: |
| Form 1040-ES(NR): | Form 1040EZ: |
| Form 1040X: | Form 1040X: |
| Form 4868: | Form 4868: |
| State Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming | |
|---|---|
| With Payment | Without Payment |
| Forms 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040V: | Form 1040: |
| Form 1040-ES: | Form 1040A: |
| Form 1040-ES(NR): | Form 1040EZ: |
| Form 1040X: | Form 1040X: |
| Form 4868: | Form 4868: |
| State Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia | |
|---|---|
| With Payment | Without Payment |
| Forms 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040V: | Form 1040: |
| Form 1040-ES: | Form 1040A: |
| Form 1040-ES(NR): | Form 1040EZ: |
| Form 1040X: | Form 1040X: |
| Form 4868: | Form 4868: |
| State Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas | |
|---|---|
| With Payment | Without Payment |
| Forms 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040V: | Form 1040: |
| Form 1040-ES and 1040-ES(NR): | Form 1040A: |
| Form 1040X: | Form 1040EZ: |
| Form 4868: | Form 1040X: |
| Form 4868: | |
| State Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin | |
|---|---|
| With Payment | Without Payment |
| Forms 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040V: | Form 1040: |
| Form 1040-ES: | Form 1040A: |
| Form 1040-ES(NR): | Form 1040EZ: |
| Form 1040X: | Form 1040X: |
| Form 4868: | Form 4868: |
Why Choose E-file.com?
The Convenient Way to File Taxes
Using less paper with pre-printed forms is the "green" way to go and allows you to file around your own schedule. Avoid the long lines at the post office and file electronically instead. E-filing provides you confirmation that a return has been submitted as well as when it is accepted.
Higher Accuracy, Less Hassle
On average, e-filing is more accurate than filing manually. Now, many consider it safer than filing via mailed paper return. The IRS itself has stated it prefers the practice over the traditional paper forms and mailing procedure. Over two out of three returns are now successfully filed online.
Q&A: Do you have to send your W-2 with your tax return?
No, you don't have to send your W-2 with your tax return. This is true whether you file electronically or through the mail. Instead, you will enter the information found on your W-2 form when our software prompts you or within the appropriate fields on your tax return.
Now, once you submit your tax return, you do need to retain a copy of your W-2, your tax return, and any other related documentation. How long you keep these depends. For most returns, you should keep your tax paperwork for a period of at least three years after your filing date. However, if you file a loss claim or if you don't report all income you may need to keep the paperwork for up to seven years.
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