There are two ways you can check your Internal Revenue Service account. The quickest way is to call the IRS and talk with a customer service representative. Customer service representatives can give you information over the phone by answering your questions and process your order for a transcript of your tax return information and IRS account. You can also order these transcripts in writing.
Step 1
Review the tax information you have on hand and note any specific questions you have concerning your IRS account.
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Step 2
Call the IRS on the phone. The IRS has customer service representatives available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. Go to IRS.gov: How to contact the IRS. Then select the first option on the page: "Call us with your tax questions." Various phone numbers will be listed; pick the one applicable for you.
For example, if you are calling for your business, there will be a different number to call from the one you use when calling about your individual account. Make sure you have your specific tax questions ready, because you will be in contact with a live person from the IRS. She will first ask you some security questions to verify your identity and call up your account on her computer. She will then ask how she can help you, and you can proceed to ask your questions. Also, make sure you order your tax account transcripts so you will have a written copy.
Step 3
You can order a copy of your tax account transcript in writing using IRS Form 4506T. This form is used for ordering both income tax transcripts and tax account transcripts. Delivery time is about two weeks. A tax account transcript shows any adjustments made after the tax return was filed, so it will have more up-to-date information than the income tax transcript.
Step 4
Review the tax information carefully when it arrives, and determine if it is what you needed to answer your questions. If it does not answer your questions or it raises other questions, call the IRS back and ask your new questions. You may need income tax transcripts instead of tax account transcripts or you may need both. Since there is no charge, it's a good idea to order both in the first place. Even though the tax account transcript has the most up-to-date information, the income tax transcript has more detailed information.
Step 5
If you find inaccuracies in the information the IRS sent you, call right away and discuss it with a customer service representative. If it is just information that is wrong, the IRS may be able to fix it immediately. If some mistake was made in calculating your taxes or allowing a deduction or tax credit, then a letter of explanation may be needed or even an amended return. But don't hesitate to make corrections to your account that are necessary, especially if the amount of taxes you paid or are due to pay is affected.
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