IRS (2024)

FAQs

IRS? ›

Contact an IRS customer service representative to correct any agency errors by calling 800-829-1040 (see telephone assistance for hours of operation).

Contact an IRS customer service representative to correct any agency errors by calling 800-829-1040 (see telephone assistance for hours of operation).

The IRS Mission

The taxpayer's role is to understand and meet his or her tax obligations. The IRS role is to help the large majority of compliant taxpayers with the tax law, while ensuring that the minority who are unwilling to comply pay their fair share.

Use the IRS Where's My Refund tool or the IRS2Go mobile app to check your refund online. This is the fastest and easiest way to track your refund. The systems are updated once every 24 hours. You can call the IRS to check on the status of your refund.

The IRS live chat feature can be found on many of their pages by clicking the "Start a conversation" button found at the bottom of a limited number of IRS webpages. If you plan to chat with the IRS online, have your information ready for verification.

Call at the best time.

A good rule of thumb: Call as early in the morning as possible. Phones are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (your local time) Monday to Friday, except: Residents of Hawaii and Alaska should follow Pacific time. Puerto Rico hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time.

The Short Answer: Yes. Share: The IRS probably already knows about many of your financial accounts, and the IRS can get information on how much is there. But, in reality, the IRS rarely digs deeper into your bank and financial accounts unless you're being audited or the IRS is collecting back taxes from you.

Who gets audited by the IRS the most? In terms of income levels, the IRS in recent years has audited taxpayers with incomes below $25,000 and above $500,000 at higher-than-average rates, according to government data.

How far back can the IRS go to audit my return? Generally, the IRS can include returns filed within the last three years in an audit. If we identify a substantial error, we may add additional years. We usually don't go back more than the last six years.

How long can the IRS hold your refund for review? ›

After 60 days, you'd need to file an amended return to reverse any errors and get your refund back. If the IRS thinks you claimed erroneous deductions or credits, the IRS can hold your refund.

We continue to process tax returns that need to be manually reviewed due to errors in the order received. As the return is processed, whether it was filed electronically or on paper, it may be delayed because it has a mistake, is missing information, or there is suspected identity theft or fraud.

An incomplete return, an inaccurate return, an amended return, tax fraud, claiming tax credits, owing certain debts for which the government can take part or all of your refund, and sending your refund to the wrong bank due to an incorrect routing number are all reasons that a tax refund can be delayed.

Most refunds will be issued in less than 21 days. You can start checking the status of your refund within 24 hours after you have e-filed your return. Refund information is updated on the IRS website once a day, overnight. Remember, the fastest way to get your refund is to e-file and choose direct deposit.

Request an expedited refund by calling the IRS at 800-829-1040 (TTY/TDD 800-829-4059). Request a manual refund expedited to you.

Copies of forms, publications and other helpful information are also available around-the-clock at the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov. You can call 1-800-829-1040 to get answers to your federal tax questions 24 hours a day. Tax forms and instructions for current and prior years are available by calling 1-800-829-3676.

It might seem inconceivable these days that an entity doesn't stand by with a convenient email address available for contact, but, no, you can't email the IRS.

Visit www.irs.gov/paymentplan for more information on installment agreements and online payment agreements. You can also call us at 1- 800-829-0922 to discuss your options. For information on how to obtain your current account balance or payment history, go to www.irs.gov/balancedue.

Mail and phone contacts are first steps with a tax issue

However, there are circ*mstances when the IRS will call, including when a taxpayer has an overdue tax bill, a delinquent or unfiled tax return or has not made an employment tax deposit. The IRS does not leave pre-recorded, urgent or threatening voice messages.

During a typical filing season, we average two to three million calls each day.

When can I talk to IRS representative? ›

Visit the IRS contact page to get help using online tools and resources. Call 1-800-829-1040, 7 AM - 7 PM ET Monday through Friday to speak to a representative about an individual tax return. Wait times can be long. Consider visiting the contact page first to find answers to your questions online.

Taxpayers have difficulty reaching IRS customer service representatives (CSRs) to obtain tax assistance and account information, but this past year presented extreme challenges, as call volume nearly tripled and only 11 percent of calls reached a CSR.

Depositing a big amount of cash that is $10,000 or more means your bank or credit union will report it to the federal government. The $10,000 threshold was created as part of the Bank Secrecy Act, passed by Congress in 1970, and adjusted with the Patriot Act in 2002.

You have due process rights. The IRS can no longer simply take your bank account, automobile, or business, or garnish your wages without giving you written notice and an opportunity to challenge its claims.

Banks Must Report Large Deposits

“According to the Bank Secrecy Act, banks are required to file Currency Transaction Reports (CTR) for any cash deposits over $10,000,” said Lyle Solomon, principal attorney at Oak View Law Group.

Some red flags for an audit are round numbers, missing income, excessive deductions or credits, unreported income and refundable tax credits. The best defense is proper documentation and receipts, tax experts say.

Failing to report all your income is one of the easiest ways to increase your odds of getting audited. The IRS receives a copy of the tax forms you receive, including Forms 1099, W-2, K-1, and others and compares those amounts with the amounts you include on your tax return.

You may have to reconstruct your records or just simply provide a valid explanation of a deduction instead of the original receipts to support the expense. If the IRS disagrees, you can appeal the decision.

The primary consequence of being audited and found guilty is that you will receive penalties. Depending on your situation, the IRS penalties could include paying back taxes owed plus interest and additional tax audit penalties.

The general rule is that an assessment of tax must be made within three years from the received date of an original tax return or three years from the due date of the original return, whichever is later.

How do you know if you are being audited? ›

If the IRS decides to audit, or “examine” a taxpayer's return, that taxpayer will receive written notification from the IRS. The IRS sends written notification to the taxpayer's or business's last known address of record. Alternatively, IRS correspondence may be sent to the taxpayer's tax preparer.

The most common reason for the IRS to review a tax return is something called the Discriminant Function System (or DIF) score. The IRS uses a computerized scoring model that evaluates your return and gives it a score based on the likelihood that it will need to be changed.

For individuals, balances over $25,000 must be paid by Direct Debit. For businesses, balances over $10,000 must be paid by Direct Debit. Apply online through the Online Payment Agreement tool or apply by phone or by mail by submitting Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request.

You can file a suit in a United States District Court or the United States Court of Federal Claims. However, you generally have only two years to file a refund suit from the date the IRS mails you a notice that denies your claim.

If your refund status used to be your tax return is still being processed, but now the status says it is being processed, the IRS may have detected an issue in your tax return that could cause a delay in the release of your tax refund.

The IRS only issued refunds once per week under the old system. They now issue refunds every business day, Monday through Friday (except holidays).

Return Received – The IRS has received your return and it's being processed. Refund Approved – They've processed your return and your refund has been approved. It will also provide an actual refund date. Refund Sent – Your refund has been sent to your bank for direct deposit or a paper check has been mailed.

What's Taking So Long to Receive Refunds? If you don't receive your refund in 21 days, your tax return might need further review. This may happen if your return was incomplete or incorrect. The IRS may send you instructions through the mail if it needs additional information in order to process your return.

Why has my refund been accepted but not approved? ›

“Accepted” simply means that the IRS has received your tax return. This does not necessarily mean that your tax return has been approved, and it does not mean that you will receive a refund. Your return is marked as “accepted” usually within 24-48 hours of submitting it electronically.

If the IRS is reviewing your return, it may have questions about your wages and withholding, or credits or expenses shown on your tax return. The review process could take anywhere from 45 to 180 days, depending on the number and types of issues the IRS is reviewing.

Contact an IRS customer service representative to correct any agency errors by calling 800-829-1040 (see telephone assistance for hours of operation).

A good rule of thumb: Call as early in the morning as possible. Phones are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (your local time) Monday to Friday, except: Residents of Hawaii and Alaska should follow Pacific time. Puerto Rico hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time.

Other Ways to Reach a Live Person at the IRS

But you must remember to book an appointment first. You cannot just go to your local IRS office unexpectedly. Call the IRS at 844-545-5640 and make an appointment early on.

Call the IRS immediately. If you are inside the U.S., contact the toll-free Identity Verification line at 800-830-5084.

Tax practitioners with account or tax law questions may call 800-829-8374.

What to do if you can't get ahold of the IRS? ›

You can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 for general questions or refund status information. However, if you're not able to resolve a tax issue, it may be helpful to contact the Taxpayer's Advocate Service (TAS) at 1-877-777-4778.

If you can't find the answers to your tax questions on IRS.gov, we can offer you help in more than 350 languages with the support of professional interpreters. For assistance in Spanish, call 800-829-1040. For all other languages, call 833-553-9895.

Use Where's My Refund, call us at 800-829-1954 and use the automated system, or speak with an agent by calling 800-829-1040 (see telephone assistance for hours of operation).

The state and IRS notices refer you to call 800-829-7650 or 800-829-3903 for assistance.

Who should I contact if I have more questions about my account related to identity theft? You can call the IRS at 800-908-4490 for assistance specific to identity theft. For all other tax account related questions, contact the IRS help desk at 800-908-4490.

When you call the IRS, they will ask you to verify your identity. IRS phone assistors take great care to only discuss personal information with you or someone you authorize to speak on your behalf.

What happens after I successfully verify? We'll process your tax return. It may take up to 9 weeks to receive your refund or credit any overpayment to your account.