Best time to call the IRS to avoid wait times or getting hung up on?

Unfortunately there's no magic time that guarantees no wait with the IRS, but there are definitely better times to call. I've had the most success calling Tuesday-Thursday (avoid Mondays and Fridays) right when they open at 7am Eastern Time. That's 4am Pacific, which is rough, but worth it if you're desperate. The IRS phone lines are absolutely slammed during tax season (January-April) so if you're calling now, expect longer wait times regardless. Late May through early December tends to be less busy. Also, make sure you're calling the right number for your specific issue. The general line (800-829-1040) tends to have the longest waits. If you're calling about a specific notice you received, use the number listed on that notice instead.

After being stuck in IRS phone hell for weeks trying to resolve an identity verification issue, I finally discovered taxr.ai and it was a total game-changer. I uploaded my tax documents, and the AI analyzed everything and gave me precise guidance on exactly which department to contact and what to say. The best part was the guided walkthrough of the IRS phone menu system - it showed me exactly which options to select to reach a human being faster. The site (https://taxr.ai) even told me which specific documents to have ready before calling, which made the conversation go so much smoother when I finally got through. Saved me hours of frustration.

I was the skeptic about taxr.ai mentioned above, but I have to admit I finally got frustrated enough to try it. After being hung up on by the IRS 5 times this week, I tried the service and it was surprisingly helpful. It pinpointed that I needed to reach the Taxpayer Protection Program department (which I didn't even know existed) and gave me the specific menu options to get there. Got through to a real person in about 40 minutes (which is honestly a miracle during filing season). The agent was able to resolve my refund delay issue that had been pending for months. Wish I'd known about this earlier instead of wasting hours on hold just to get disconnected.

After struggling with the IRS phone system for literally weeks, I tried Claimyr and finally got through to a real person. How it works is genius - you go to https://claimyr.com, enter your phone number, and their system navigates the IRS phone tree and holds your place in line. When they reach a live agent, they call you and connect you directly. I was super skeptical at first (you can see how it works in their demo video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c), but after getting hung up on 9 times and spending over 20 hours on hold over two weeks, I was desperate. They got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 75 minutes while I just went about my day instead of being glued to my phone.

I need to publicly eat my words. After calling the IRS 12 times and getting disconnected every single time, I broke down and tried Claimyr. I was the skeptic above calling it BS, but it actually worked exactly as described. They held my place in line for about 2 hours (which is way better than the 4+ hours I'd been experiencing), and then connected me with an IRS agent who resolved my issue in about 15 minutes. I wish I hadn't wasted an entire week trying to call myself. The peace of mind from finally getting this resolved was absolutely worth it.

Another trick I've found that sometimes works is calling the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service instead of the main number. If you've been trying repeatedly without success, they can sometimes help, especially if you're facing financial hardship because of your tax issue. Their number is 877-777-4778.

Has anyone tried using the IRS callback feature? Last time I called, there was an option where you could leave your number and they'd call you back instead of waiting on hold. Wondering if that actually works or if it's just another way to get ghosted lol

The timing advice here is spot on - Tuesday through Thursday mornings are definitely your best bet. I'd also suggest having a backup plan ready. If you can't get through on the phone, consider scheduling an appointment at your local Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). You can find locations and book appointments online at irs.gov. While you'll still likely wait a few weeks for an appointment, at least you'll have a guaranteed time to speak with someone face-to-face. I did this last year when I couldn't reach anyone by phone, and the in-person service was actually really helpful. They were able to resolve my refund issue in one visit that had been dragging on for months through phone attempts. Also, if your issue is urgent and you've documented multiple failed attempts to reach them, you might qualify for Taxpayer Advocate Service assistance even if you haven't tried "normal channels" extensively - persistent inability to reach the IRS despite reasonable efforts can sometimes count as having exhausted normal channels.

I feel your pain - I went through the exact same nightmare last year! After trying everything else mentioned here, what finally worked for me was calling the IRS at exactly 7:00 AM Eastern on a Tuesday with a very specific strategy. Before calling, I wrote down my Social Security number, the exact dollar amount of my expected refund, and my filing status on a piece of paper right next to my phone. When I got through the automated system, I spoke very clearly and slowly when prompted for information - this seemed to help avoid getting bounced around. The key was being persistent but not calling back-to-back. I'd call once in the morning, and if I didn't get through, I'd wait until the next morning rather than repeatedly calling the same day. On my fourth Tuesday attempt, I got through to a human in about 45 minutes. Also, make sure you're calling from the phone number associated with your tax return if possible. I noticed they seemed to verify this during the call process. Hang in there - it's incredibly frustrating but you will eventually get through!

I've been dealing with IRS phone issues for years and here's what I've learned: The absolute best time is Tuesday at 7:00 AM Eastern sharp. Not 7:01, not 6:59 - exactly 7:00. Set multiple alarms if you have to. Here's my proven strategy that's worked 8 out of 10 times: 1. Call from a landline if you have one - cell phones seem to get disconnected more often 2. Don't use speakerphone during the automated menu system 3. When asked for your SSN, say each digit clearly with a half-second pause between them 4. If you get the "high call volume" message, DON'T hang up - stay on the line 5. Keep a glass of water nearby because you might be talking for a while once you get through The Wednesday morning slot (7:00-7:30 AM) is my second choice if Tuesday doesn't work. Avoid calling after 10 AM or on any Friday - it's basically hopeless. One last tip: if you do get disconnected after waiting for hours, immediately call back. Sometimes they have a brief window where the queue is less full right after a system reset. I've gotten through in 20 minutes this way after a 3-hour disconnection. Stay strong - the system is designed to be frustrating, but persistence pays off!

I've been in your exact situation and it's absolutely maddening! After months of dealing with IRS phone nightmares, here's what finally worked for me consistently: **The 7 AM Tuesday strategy is gold** - but I'd add that you should start dialing at 6:58 AM Eastern so you're connected right at 7:00. The system seems to open up exactly then. **Pro tip that saved my sanity**: Download a call recording app (where legal) or at least take detailed notes during your call. I can't tell you how many times I've had to call back because I forgot exactly what the agent told me to do or what reference numbers they gave me. **If you're still getting disconnected**, try calling the Practitioner Priority Service line at 866-860-4259. Technically it's for tax professionals, but if you're calling about your own return and have been unsuccessful through normal channels, some agents will help individual taxpayers - especially if you mention you've been trying for weeks. **Last resort that worked for me**: I called my local congressman's office and explained the situation. They have a constituent services department that can sometimes help with federal agency issues. They made one call on my behalf and suddenly the IRS called ME back within 48 hours. Sometimes you need someone with more leverage to break through the bureaucracy. Hang in there - I know it feels impossible, but you WILL get through eventually!

I've been through this exact nightmare and completely understand your frustration! Here's what finally worked for me after weeks of failed attempts: **The Golden Rule: Tuesday or Wednesday at exactly 7:00 AM Eastern.** Set your alarm for 6:55 AM and start dialing at 6:58 so you connect right when they open. This timing has been crucial for me. **Essential prep work:** - Have your SSN, exact refund amount, and filing status written down - Call from the strongest signal area in your house (or use a landline if possible) - Keep your phone charging during the call - Turn off WiFi calling - it can cause delays that confuse their system **Menu navigation tip:** When the automated system asks for your SSN, speak each digit slowly and clearly with a half-second pause between numbers. This seems to reduce the chances of getting bounced around to wrong departments. **If you get the "high call volume" message, DO NOT hang up!** Stay on the line - I've gotten through after that message more times than when I didn't get it. **Important:** Don't call back-to-back if you don't get through. Wait until the next eligible day (Tuesday/Wednesday) rather than burning out your chances with multiple same-day attempts. The system is absolutely designed to be frustrating, but persistence with the right strategy does work. You've got this - just need to time it right and be prepared when you call!

I feel your pain so much! I went through this exact same nightmare for nearly three weeks earlier this year. After reading all the great advice here, I want to add one more strategy that finally broke through for me when everything else failed. If you have a tax issue that's causing financial hardship (like you need your refund to pay bills), you can also try calling the IRS Hardship line at 1-800-829-1040 and specifically mention "financial hardship" when prompted. This sometimes routes you to a different queue that moves faster. Also, here's something I learned the hard way - if you do get through and the agent says they need to transfer you to another department, ask them to stay on the line during the transfer. I got disconnected twice during transfers before an agent finally agreed to wait with me until the next person picked up. It added 10 minutes to my call but saved me from starting over completely. One last thing - keep a detailed log of every call attempt with dates, times, and how long you waited before getting disconnected. Not only does this help if you need to escalate to Taxpayer Advocate Service or your congressman's office, but it also helps you track which times/days work better for your specific situation. The system is absolutely broken and designed to make people give up, but you WILL get through eventually. Stay strong!

I completely understand your frustration - I went through this same ordeal last year and it nearly drove me to tears! After reading through all the excellent advice here, I want to emphasize that the Tuesday/Wednesday 7:00 AM Eastern strategy really does work, but you need to be prepared for it to take several attempts. Here's what made the difference for me: I treated it like a job interview. The night before, I laid out all my documents (SSN card, copy of tax return, any IRS notices), wrote down key numbers on a notepad, and even practiced saying my SSN clearly. I set multiple alarms and had my phone fully charged. The biggest game-changer was realizing that getting the "high call volume" message doesn't mean you should hang up - it often means you're actually IN the queue! I waited through that message for 2.5 hours once and finally got connected to a human who resolved my issue in 15 minutes. Also, if you do get through, immediately ask for the agent's name and direct phone number if they have one. Some IRS agents will give you their direct line for follow-up questions, which can save you from going through this whole process again if you need clarification. Don't give up - the system is absolutely terrible by design, but persistence really does pay off. You're not alone in this struggle!

I've been exactly where you are and it's absolutely infuriating! After going through this nightmare myself, here's what finally worked consistently for me: **The key is Tuesday mornings at exactly 7:00 AM Eastern.** I'd start dialing at 6:58 AM so I'd connect right when they open. This timing made all the difference. **Critical preparation steps:** - Write down your SSN, exact refund amount, and filing status before calling - Call from your strongest signal area (or landline if available) - Keep your phone charging during the call - Have all relevant documents within arm's reach **When navigating the automated system:** Speak your SSN digits slowly and clearly with brief pauses between each number. This seems to prevent getting routed to wrong departments. **Most important tip:** If you get the "high call volume" message, DO NOT hang up! I know it's counterintuitive, but staying on the line after that message has gotten me through more often than not. I once waited 2+ hours after that message and finally connected to someone who solved my issue in 20 minutes. Also, avoid calling back-to-back on the same day if you don't get through. Wait until the next Tuesday/Wednesday instead - multiple same-day attempts seem to hurt your chances. The system is designed to be frustrating and make people give up, but with the right timing and strategy, you absolutely can get through. Hang in there - you've got this!

I've been in your exact situation and it's absolutely maddening! After weeks of the same frustration, here's what finally worked for me: **The Tuesday 7:00 AM Eastern strategy is real** - but I discovered you need to start dialing at 6:58 AM so you connect right at 7:00 when their system refreshes. I set three alarms to make sure I didn't oversleep. **Game-changing prep that saved me:** The night before my successful call, I wrote my SSN, filing status, and exact refund amount on a sticky note right next to my phone. I also put my tax return copy and any IRS notices in a folder so I wasn't scrambling during the call. **The breakthrough moment:** When I got the dreaded "high call volume" message, I almost hung up like usual. Instead, I stayed on the line and waited. After 2 hours and 45 minutes (I was doing laundry and cooking breakfast while waiting), I finally got connected to a human who resolved my refund issue in 12 minutes! **One tip I wish someone had told me:** When speaking your SSN to the automated system, say each digit slowly with a half-second pause between them. This prevented me from getting bounced to the wrong department like my previous attempts. The system is absolutely designed to make you give up, but don't let them win! You WILL get through eventually - just need the right timing and strategy. Good luck!

I completely feel your pain - I was in this exact same nightmare situation just a few months ago! After reading all the excellent advice in this thread, I want to add one more strategy that finally broke through for me when everything else failed. **The 7:00 AM Tuesday strategy is absolutely legit** - but here's what made it work for me: I actually called the Spanish language line first (1-800-829-1040, then press 8 for Spanish) even though I speak English. When they answered, I politely explained that I pressed the wrong option and asked if they could transfer me to an English-speaking agent. This worked because the Spanish line typically has shorter wait times, and the transfer process bypassed some of the automated screening that was hanging me up. I got connected to an English-speaking IRS agent in about 40 minutes using this method after weeks of 3+ hour waits and disconnections on the main English line. **Important:** Only try this if you've already exhausted the standard methods mentioned here. The agents were understanding about the "wrong button" explanation, but don't abuse this workaround. Also, I kept a detailed log of every single call attempt with timestamps, which helped me identify that Tuesday/Wednesday mornings really were consistently better than other days. Sometimes seeing the pattern written down helps you stay motivated when it feels hopeless. You're going to get through this - the system is designed to make people give up, but persistence with the right strategy absolutely works!

I've been dealing with IRS phone hell myself recently and want to share what finally worked for me after reading through all this great advice. The Tuesday 7:00 AM Eastern strategy is absolutely the way to go, but I discovered a few additional tricks that made the difference. **My winning combination:** - Called Tuesday at exactly 7:00 AM (started dialing at 6:58) - Used the IRS2Go mobile app to check my refund status first, which gave me the exact language to use when describing my issue - When the automated system asked why I was calling, I said "refund inquiry" very clearly instead of trying to explain the whole situation - Most importantly: I muted my phone during long hold periods but checked back every 10 minutes with a quick "hello" to make sure I was still connected The muting trick was a game changer - I could do other things around the house without going crazy listening to hold music, but I made sure to unmute periodically to avoid getting disconnected for "no response." After 2 hours and 20 minutes of hold time (which felt manageable since I was doing laundry), I got through to an agent who resolved my 4-month-old refund issue in about 15 minutes. She even gave me a direct reference number to use if I needed to call back. Don't give up - this system is intentionally frustrating, but the Tuesday morning strategy combined with patience really does work. You've got this!

I went through this exact same frustration last year and it nearly broke me! After reading through all these excellent strategies, I want to emphasize that the Tuesday 7:00 AM Eastern approach really is the golden ticket. I tried it after weeks of failed attempts and got through in about 90 minutes. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned much - when you finally do get connected to an agent, immediately ask them to email you a summary of what was discussed and any reference numbers. Most agents can send you a secure message through your IRS online account that confirms the conversation and next steps. This saved me from having to call back when I forgot some details later. Also, if you're calling about a specific notice, have the notice number ready and mention it right away. The agents can pull up your case much faster with that number, which means less time explaining your situation and more time actually solving the problem. The system is absolutely designed to make you give up, but every success story in this thread proves that persistence with the right strategy works. Set that 6:55 AM alarm, prep everything the night before, and don't hang up when you get the "high call volume" message. You WILL get through eventually!