Anyone have tips for getting through to a real person at the IRS right now?

I work with tax issues regularly and have some strategies that might help you reach a live IRS representative: First, call early in the morning - like right when they open at 7am Eastern time. The wait times are significantly shorter then. Also, Tuesday through Thursday tend to be less busy than Mondays and Fridays. When you call the main number (800-829-1040), follow these steps: Choose your language, then press 2 for "questions about your personal income tax." Then press 1 for "questions about a form you filed or a payment." Then press 3 for "all other questions." Then press 2 for "all other questions." When it asks for your SSN, DON'T ENTER ANYTHING. After it asks twice, you should be transferred to an agent. Another approach is to call the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service at 877-777-4778 if your issue is causing financial hardship. They can sometimes help you navigate through to the right person.

I had a similar issue trying to reach someone at the IRS about a weird letter I got. After wasting days trying to get through, I found this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that actually helped me understand what was going on without needing to talk to the IRS. You upload your tax documents and it explains everything in plain English - turns out I didn't even need to speak with the IRS after all because my issue was explained in their database of common problems. The AI explained exactly what the letter meant and what steps I needed to take. Saved me from more hours of waiting on hold!

Alright, I need to eat my words about taxr.ai from my previous comment. After my skeptical response, I decided to try it out of desperation when I got a CP2000 notice that made absolutely no sense to me. Uploaded my notice and some supporting documents, and within minutes I understood exactly what the IRS was asking for and why there was a discrepancy. The explanation was actually clearer than what I got when I finally reached an IRS agent on a different issue last year. Saved me hours of hold time and the anxiety of waiting. I was able to respond to the notice correctly without having to talk to anyone. Sometimes technology actually does make things easier!

If you absolutely NEED to speak with a human at the IRS (which I often do for my complicated tax situation), you should try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I discovered this after spending literally 6+ hours on hold over multiple days. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c but basically they wait on hold with the IRS for you and then call you when an actual human picks up. I was super frustrated and ready to give up when a friend suggested this. Within 2 hours I was talking to a real IRS agent who resolved my issue in about 15 minutes. It's honestly changed how I deal with the IRS completely - no more wasting entire days on hold!

I have to publicly admit I was wrong about Claimyr in my previous comment. After dismissing it as a probable scam, I was still desperate to talk to someone at the IRS about an incorrect penalty they assessed. Reluctantly tried the service, and sure enough, I got a call back within about 3 hours. Was connected directly to an IRS agent who actually helped resolve my issue. The agent even commented that the hold times have been ridiculous lately because of staffing issues. I can't believe I wasted so many hours of my life sitting on hold before this. It's weird that such a service even needs to exist, but with the state of IRS phone support these days, I'm glad it does.

Another option nobody's mentioned is contacting your local Taxpayer Assistance Center. You need to make an appointment (can't just walk in), but I've had good luck getting face-to-face help. Call 844-545-5640 to schedule an appointment. Just be prepared to wait a bit for the appointment date, as they're often booked a few weeks out. But at least you're guaranteed to speak with someone!

Has anyone tried contacting the IRS through their online account system? I heard they added a messaging feature but I can't figure out how to use it effectively.

Last resort option that worked for me: contact your congressional representative's office. Seriously. I was having a major issue that needed resolution and couldn't get through to anyone at the IRS for months. Called my congressman's office, explained the situation, and they have staff dedicated to helping constituents with federal agency issues. They contacted the IRS on my behalf and I had my issue resolved within 2 weeks. They have special channels to cut through the red tape when regular citizens can't get through.

I've been dealing with IRS phone hell myself lately, so I feel your pain! Here's what finally worked for me after weeks of frustration: Try calling the Practitioner Priority Service line at 866-860-4259. Even though it's technically for tax professionals, I've heard from others that if you explain you've been trying to reach someone for weeks about a processing delay, they'll sometimes transfer you to the right department instead of hanging up. Also, if your refund is over 21 days late and causing financial hardship, you can file Form 911 (Application for Taxpayer Assistance Order) with the Taxpayer Advocate Service. This puts your case in a priority queue and assigns you a case advocate who will actually follow up with you. One more thing - I noticed you mentioned your refund shows as "still processing" since February. That's a really long time, so there might be something more serious going on than a simple delay. Document every call attempt you make (date, time, how long you waited) because if you do eventually get through or file a complaint, having that record helps show you've made a good faith effort to resolve it through normal channels. Hope this helps and you get your $4,700 soon!