The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is always changing its policies and updating facts and figures for the new tax year. It can be confusing to navigate these changes and you may find that you have a few questions that need to be answered. You can begin your search online by visiting the IRS's website and making use of its Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA).
Start With the ITA
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When you visit the ITA, you'll find a search box where you can type in your question anonymously (the IRS doesn't save your information). The assistant will then use that information to locate the answer. You can use the ITA to:
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- Determine whether or not you need to file a tax return
- Determine your filing status
- Determine whether or not you can claim a dependent
- Whether the type of income you have is taxable or not
- Whether you are eligible to claim a credit
- Whether or not you can deduct expenses
On the right-hand side of the screen, you'll find a YouTube video that will take you through how to best use the ITA to get answers to your questions. You'll also have the option of browsing the IRS questions and answers that are frequently asked below the ITA search box.
Consider Also: Tax Filing Status: How to Choose the Correct Filing Status
Use the Where's My Refund? Tool
Another question you can ask the IRS online is "Where's my refund?" From the refunds page, click the blue "Check My Refund Status" tab. You'll need to be ready with your filing status, Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and the exact amount of the refund you are expecting.
While updates are made nightly, you will only get results if it has been 24 hours since you e-filed or 4 weeks since you mailed in your return.
Consider Also: Where's My Tax Refund: An Easy Guide
Call the IRS
Unfortunately, there is no IRS online chat tool that you can use to directly speak to an agent about your question, but you can call an agent on the phone. Before you call, make sure you have gathered documents to verify your identity, as well as those that pertain to the question at hand. That means you'll want to have your SSN or ITIN, birthdate, filing status, previous year's tax return and your current tax form in front of you.
Choose the IRS telephone number below that best fits your situation:
- Individuals: 800-829-1040 any Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. local time
- Businesses: 800-829-4933 any Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. local time
- Non-profit taxes: 877-829-5500 any Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. local time
- Estate and gift taxes: 866-699-4083 any Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Eastern time
- Excise taxes: 866-699-4096 any Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern time
- Hearing-impaired callers: TTY/TDD 800-829-4059
Consider Also: Tax Return Preparation: Tax Services, Tax Help & More
Taxpayers Outside of the US
If you are currently living outside of the United States and you can't find answers to your questions using the above-mentioned online methods, you can utilize the International Taxpayer Service Call Center and call, mail or fax your question instead. Representatives are available to help you every Monday through Friday between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern Time. Call 267-941-1000 or fax 681-247-3101.
Individual taxpayers can mail their questions to: Internal Revenue Service, International Accounts, Philadelphia, PA 19255-0725.
Businesses can mail their questions to: Internal Revenue Service, International Accounts, Ogden, UT 84201-0038.