IRS Hours: Phone Support, Office Hours, and Saturday Help Options
The IRS is available by phone Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, at 1-800-829-1040 for individual tax questions. More than 200 Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) are open during the week for in-person help, and the IRS announced on March 7, 2026, that it is extending weekday hours through April 30 and opening many TACs on select Saturdays through June 2026.
Quick reference for the 2026 filing season:
- IRS phone line: 1-800-829-1040, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time
- Taxpayer Assistance Centers: Extended weekday hours through April 30, 2026
- Saturday hours: Select Saturdays through June 2026, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (not all locations)
- Online tools: Available 24/7 at IRS.gov
- International callers: 267-941-1000 (not toll-free), Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET
Tried Calling the IRS and Still Need Help?
Here is everything you need to know about reaching the IRS, including the new Saturday hours and what to do if you live abroad.
IRS Hours of Operation
The IRS offers help through three channels: phone, in-person offices, and online tools. Each has different hours and is better suited for different types of questions.
| Channel | Hours | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Phone (1-800-829-1040) | Mon to Fri, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time | Account questions, payment issues, notice inquiries, and refund status |
| Taxpayer Assistance Centers | Mon to Fri (hours vary by location); extended hours through April 30 | In-person help with identity verification, audit responses, and complex issues |
| Saturday TAC hours | Select Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (through June 2026) | Walk-in help for all TAC services except cash payments |
| IRS.gov online tools | 24/7 | Refund tracking, payment, transcripts, and account access |
| International phone line | Mon to Fri, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET | U.S. citizens and residents abroad |
IRS Phone Hours
Main Individual Tax Line
- Number: 1-800-829-1040 Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time
- Average wait time: Approximately 3 to 4 minutes during filing season (January through April); 12 to 15 minutes during the off-season (May through December)
This is the primary number for individual tax return questions. IRS phone assistors can help with account balances, payment arrangements, notice explanations, refund inquiries, filing status questions, and general tax law questions.
Tips to reduce wait time:
- Call mid-week (Wednesday through Friday) rather than Monday or Tuesday
- Call early in the morning or later in the afternoon
- Avoid calling during the first two weeks of April (peak volume near the deadline)
- Have your Social Security number, filing status, and any IRS notices ready before you call
Other IRS Phone Numbers
| Purpose | Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Automated refund status | 1-800-829-1954 | 24/7 (automated) |
| Business tax questions | 1-800-829-4933 | Mon to Fri, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time |
| Tax forms and publications | 1-800-829-3676 | Mon to Fri, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time |
| TTY/TDD (hearing impaired) | 1-800-829-4059 | Mon to Fri, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time |
| International callers | 267-941-1000 (not toll-free) | Mon to Fri, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET |
| TAC appointment scheduling | 1-844-545-5640 | Mon to Fri, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time |
| Identity theft hotline | 1-800-908-4490 | Mon to Fri, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time |
| Taxpayer Advocate Service | 1-877-777-4778 | Mon to Fri, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time |
IRS Office Hours (Taxpayer Assistance Centers)
Taxpayer Assistance Centers are IRS offices that provide in-person help. There are more than 360 TAC locations across the United States, though approximately 35 are currently closed or unstaffed as of early 2026.
Standard Weekday Hours
TACs are normally open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Exact hours vary by location. Most offices open between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and close between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. local time.
Appointments are recommended. While walk-ins may be accommodated, the IRS encourages scheduling an appointment by calling 1-844-545-5640. Having an appointment reduces your wait time and ensures that staff are available to address your specific issue.
Extended Weekday Hours (Through April 30, 2026)
For the 2026 filing season, more than 200 TACs are offering extended weekday hours through Thursday, April 30, 2026. Many locations are open earlier or stay open later on Tuesdays and Thursdays to accommodate taxpayers with weekday work schedules.
To check whether your nearest TAC is offering extended hours, use the IRS TAC Locator tool. The tool shows office locations, directions, available services, and current extended hours.
Services Available at TACs
TACs can help with a range of issues that are difficult to resolve by phone or online:
- Account inquiries and balance information
- Responses to IRS notices and letters
- Identity verification (when the IRS has flagged your return)
- Payment arrangements and installment agreements
- Transcript requests
- Taxpayer identification number (ITIN) applications
- Audit assistance
TACs do not prepare tax returns. If you need free tax preparation help, the IRS offers the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program at separate locations.
IRS Saturday Hours for Tax Season 2026
This is the news that matters most for the 2026 filing season. The IRS announced on March 7, 2026, that many TACs will open on select Saturdays through June 2026 to provide in-person assistance.
Saturday Hours Details
- Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time
- Dates: Select Saturdays from February through June 2026 (specific dates vary by location)
- Appointments: Walk-ins accepted; no appointment required for Saturday hours
The confirmed Saturday dates (not all locations are open on all dates) include:
- February 28, 2026
- March 28, 2026
- April 11, 2026
- April 25, 2026
- May 30, 2026
- June 27, 2026
What Services Are Available on Saturdays?
All regularly available TAC services are offered on Saturdays, except making cash payments. This includes account inquiries, notice responses, identity verification, ITIN applications, payment arrangements, and transcript requests.
How to Find Saturday Hours Near You
Use the IRS Saturday Hours page to see which TAC locations near you are participating and on which dates. Not all 360+ TAC offices participate, and some locations are open only on certain Saturdays. Check the page frequently, as participating locations and availability may change without notice.
Why Saturday Hours Matter This Year
The extended hours come during a filing season with heightened complexity. Several provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), signed July 4, 2025, take effect for 2025 tax returns filed in 2026, including new deductions for tips, overtime income, seniors, and auto loan interest. Taxpayers may have more questions than usual about how these changes affect their returns.
At the same time, approximately 35 TAC offices remain closed or unstaffed as of early 2026 following IRS workforce reductions. The Saturday openings are intended to partially offset this reduced capacity by extending access at the locations that remain open.
IRS Online Tools (Available 24/7)
If you cannot reach the IRS by phone or visit a TAC, the following online tools are available around the clock:
| Tool | What It Does | URL |
|---|---|---|
| Where’s My Refund? | Track refund status | IRS.gov/refunds |
| Where’s My Amended Return? | Track Form 1040-X status | IRS.gov/filing/wheres-my-amended-return |
| IRS Online Account | View balances, payments, transcripts | IRS.gov/your-account |
| Direct Pay | Make tax payments from a bank account | IRS.gov/payments/direct-pay |
| Get Transcript | View or download tax transcripts | IRS.gov/individuals/get-transcript |
| TAC Locator | Find your nearest office and hours | IRS.gov/help/contact-your-local-irs-office |
| Free File | File your federal return for free | IRS.gov/filing/free-file |
How to Get IRS Help if You Live Abroad
U.S. citizens and resident aliens living outside the United States face unique challenges when trying to reach the IRS. Here is how to get help from abroad.
Phone Support for International Callers
The IRS international phone line is 267-941-1000 (not toll-free). Hours are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time. This line handles questions about individual and business returns, international tax issues, and account inquiries.
For Spanish language assistance, call 1-800-829-1040 (toll-free from the U.S. only). For all other languages, call 833-553-9895.
In-Person Help Abroad
The IRS does not operate Taxpayer Assistance Centers outside the United States. However, U.S. embassies and consulates in some countries can provide limited tax-related assistance, such as helping you obtain forms or referring you to qualified tax professionals. The IRS provides contact information for international offices.
Expat-Specific Deadlines
If you live abroad, you have different filing deadlines from domestic taxpayers:
- April 15: Tax payment deadline (same as domestic filers; interest accrues from this date on any unpaid balance)
- June 15: Automatic two-month filing extension for Americans abroad (no form required)
- October 15: Extended filing deadline with Form 4868
For a complete overview of expat deadlines, see our guide: Tax Deadlines for U.S. Expats
Online Tools Work from Anywhere
All IRS online tools, including Where’s My Refund, Online Account, Direct Pay, and Get Transcript, work from any country. These are often the fastest ways for expats to check on their return status or make payments without dealing with time zone differences or international phone charges.
When to Work with an Expat Tax Specialist
The IRS phone lines and TACs are designed for domestic taxpayers. If your tax situation involves foreign income, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, Foreign Tax Credit, FBAR, or other international reporting, you are better served by a tax professional who specializes in expat returns. IRS phone assistors are generally not trained on the nuances of international tax provisions, and wait times for the international line can be significant.
At Greenback, our CPAs and Enrolled Agents specialize exclusively in U.S. expat taxes. We work with Americans in 190+ countries, and our team spans 14 time zones, so you do not have to call the IRS at 3 a.m. to get answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
The IRS phone line (1-800-829-1040) opens at 7 a.m. your local time, Monday through Friday. Taxpayer Assistance Centers generally open between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. local time on weekdays. Online tools at IRS.gov are available 24/7.
Yes, during the 2026 filing season. Many TACs are open on select Saturdays from February through June 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time. Walk-ins are accepted, and no appointment is needed. However, not all TAC locations participate, and specific Saturday dates vary by office. Check the IRS Saturday Hours page for your nearest location. IRS phone lines are not open on Saturdays.
No. IRS phone lines and Taxpayer Assistance Centers are closed on Sundays. Online tools at IRS.gov are available 24/7, including Sundays.
Call 1-844-545-5640 to schedule an appointment at your nearest TAC. You can also use the TAC Locator tool to find the closest office and check available services. During Saturday hours, no appointment is needed; walk-ins are accepted.
Yes. Call 267-941-1000 (not toll-free) from outside the U.S. Hours are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time. This is the only IRS phone number that works from international locations. The toll-free 1-800 numbers do not connect from outside the United States.
Have the following information available: your Social Security number (or ITIN), your filing status, any IRS notices or letters you received (with the notice number), your prior year tax return, and the specific question you need answered. IRS assistors must verify your identity before discussing your account.
No. TACs do not prepare tax returns. They help with account inquiries, responses to notices, identity verification, payments, and other administrative issues. For free tax preparation, use the IRS VITA program (for taxpayers with income generally below $67,000) or the TCE program (for taxpayers age 60 and older).
The deadline for filing your 2025 federal income tax return is April 15, 2026, for most domestic taxpayers. U.S. citizens living abroad receive an automatic extension to June 15, 2026 (no form required). You can extend the filing deadline to October 15, 2026, by filing Form 4868. Any taxes owed are due April 15, regardless of extensions. For the full expat deadline calendar, see our guide: Tax Deadlines for U.S. Expats
Get Your Expat Taxes Done Right
If you are a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder living abroad, you do not have to rely on IRS phone lines or Saturday walk-in hours to get your taxes handled correctly. Greenback’s team of CPAs and Enrolled Agents has filed over 71,000 returns for Americans in 190+ countries. We specialize in the FEIE, Foreign Tax Credit, FBAR, and every other aspect of expat tax compliance.
If you are ready to be matched with a Greenback accountant, get started here. For general questions about expat taxes or working with Greenback, contact our Customer Champions.
Get Help With Your IRS Tax Issue
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. IRS hours, services, and TAC availability are subject to change without notice. Always verify current information at IRS.gov.
Related Resources
- Tax Deadlines for U.S. Expats
- Tax Deadlines by Country
- How to File U.S. Taxes While Abroad
- Foreign Earned Income Exclusion
- Foreign Tax Credit Guide
- FBAR Filing Requirements
- Expat Tax Extensions (Form 4868)
- U.S. Expat Taxes: The Complete Guide
- Form 1040 for U.S. Expats
- Amended Tax Returns (Form 1040-X)
