The best time to call the IRS (and how to reach a person)
What the IRS itself says about wait times, when the lines are open in your time zone, and how to spend less of your day on hold.
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What the IRS says about wait times
The IRS publishes average waits of about 8 minutes from January to April and about 15 minutes from May to December, while noting some lines take longer. Its own guidance on timing:
- Waits are longer on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Waits are longer over Presidents Day weekend and around the April filing deadline.
- After filing season, waits are generally shorter Wednesday through Friday.
The IRS doesn't name a best time of day. The practical rule is to call early: the lines close at 7 p.m. your time, and a long queue near closing can run out of day.
IRS phone hours
| Line | Number | Hours (Mon–Fri) |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals | 800-829-1040 | 7 a.m.–7 p.m. local |
| Businesses | 800-829-4933 | 7 a.m.–7 p.m. local |
| Tax professionals (PPS) | 866-860-4259 | 7 a.m.–7 p.m. local |
| From outside the US | 267-941-1000 | 6 a.m.–11 p.m. Eastern |
"Local" means your own time zone; Alaska and Hawaii follow Pacific time. Every line is closed on weekends and federal holidays. The IRS phone finder has the full list, with a live open/closed check.
Take the callback if it's offered
When waits run over about 15 minutes, the IRS may offer to call you back instead of holding, on most topics, as long as a representative can reach you within business hours. Accept it: you keep your place without being stuck on the line.
The menu path to a person
The IRS doesn't publish a keypress map, and it changes the menu from time to time. Callers reported this path on 800-829-1040 in mid-2026, after entering their SSN:
Press 1 for English
Press 2 for personal income tax
Press 1 for a form, tax history or payment
Press 3 for all other questions
Press 2 to speak to a representative
If it doesn't match what you hear, listen for an option about your account or "all other questions" rather than refunds, which tends to route to the automated refund line.
Check these online before you call
- Refund status: Where's My Refund on irs.gov. The phone can't tell you more until 21 days after you e-filed.
- Payment plans: the Online Payment Agreement tool, available 5 a.m. to midnight Eastern every day.
- Transcripts: your IRS online account.
- A letter about your identity: notices CP5071 and 5447C can usually be handled with the online Identity and Tax Return Verification Service.
Is the IRS open right now?
Pick what you're calling about for the right number, the hours in your time zone and a live open/closed check.
IRS individual help line
Monday–Friday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., your local time (Alaska and Hawaii: Pacific time)
TTY/TDD: 800-829-4059
Menu path to a person (reported by callers, not published by IRS; menus change)
- 1Press 1 for English.
- 2Press 2 for personal income tax questions.
- 3Press 1 for questions about a form, tax history or payment.
- 4Press 3 for all other questions.
- 5Press 2 to speak to a representative.
- Have your Social Security number, the tax year, last year's return and any letter you received in front of you. The menu asks for your SSN before routing you.
- If the wait is over about 15 minutes, the IRS may offer to call you back instead. Take it: you keep your place without staying on the line.
- For refund status, try Where's My Refund on irs.gov first. The phone line can't tell you more unless it's been 21 days since you e-filed.
Best time to call: the IRS says waits are longest on Mondays and Tuesdays, over Presidents Day weekend and around the April filing deadline, and that outside filing season Wednesday to Friday is usually quicker. It doesn't name a best time of day.
Source: www.irs.gov. Checked October 31, 2026.
FAQ
- What day is best to call the IRS?
- Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. The IRS says waits are longest on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- What time does the IRS open?
- 7 a.m. your local time, Monday to Friday, for the individual, business and tax professional lines. Alaska and Hawaii follow Pacific time.
- How long is the IRS wait time?
- The IRS publishes averages of about 8 minutes in filing season (January to April) and about 15 minutes the rest of the year, but some lines and some days run much longer.
- Is the IRS open on Saturday?
- Not by phone. The phone lines are open Monday to Friday and closed on federal holidays. Some in-person offices have opened on a few Saturdays during filing season.
- How do I talk to a live person at the IRS?
- Call 800-829-1040 (or 800-829-4933 for a business), have your SSN or EIN ready, and choose account or "all other questions" options rather than refunds. The path callers reported in 2026 is 1, 2, 1, 3, 2.
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