IRS toll-free assistance line constantly saying "Too Busy" - Any alternatives for EIN follow-up?

I used to work for the IRS, and I can tell you that the EIN follow-up process is pretty straightforward once you get through. The issue is that call volumes have been exceptionally high since the pandemic, and they still haven't fully recovered their staffing levels. Try calling the Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. It's specifically for business tax issues including EIN follow-ups. The best time to call is early morning, literally right when they open (7am local time). Have your application confirmation number ready if you have one. Also, make sure you're authorized to receive the information - they'll ask for identifying info. If you applied online and it's been 3 weeks, you might also try checking your email spam folder. Sometimes the confirmation gets filtered out.

After spending TWO WEEKS trying to contact the IRS about my business taxes, I finally found a solution that actually worked! I was in the same boat as you - constantly getting the "high call volume" message and disconnected. I discovered this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that helped me analyze my situation and provided the exact steps I needed to take. It helped me understand exactly which forms I needed for my EIN follow-up and the right department to contact. The system even identified errors in my original application that would have caused delays! They have this amazing document analyzer where you can upload your EIN application confirmation and it tells you the status and next steps. Saved me so much time and frustration compared to the endless phone attempts.

Just wanted to update everyone - I tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here and it actually worked! I was really surprised. I uploaded my EIN confirmation email and the system immediately flagged that there was a mismatch between my business type and the NAICS code I selected. The system generated a detailed follow-up letter template specifically for my situation that I faxed to the IRS Business line (also following the specific instructions from taxr.ai about which fax number to use). Got my EIN assigned 3 days later! Definitely worth checking out if you're stuck in EIN limbo like I was.

After trying for WEEKS to reach someone at the IRS about my missing EIN, I finally found a solution that actually works! I was getting that "high call volume" message every single time until I discovered Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). They have this system that basically holds your place in line with the IRS so you don't have to keep calling back. I was super skeptical at first, but you can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I used it last Thursday and got a call back from them within about 30 minutes saying they had an IRS agent on the line ready to talk to me! The agent was able to look up my EIN application and give me my number right over the phone since it had already been processed but the letter hadn't been mailed yet. Saved me probably another 2 weeks of waiting!

Ok I need to eat my words and apologize. After posting my skeptical comments earlier, I got desperate and decided to try Claimyr anyway because my business loan was being held up waiting for my EIN. I'm honestly shocked - it actually worked exactly as described. I got a call back within about 45 minutes with an IRS agent on the line. The agent confirmed my EIN had been assigned but there was a mailing address error that was preventing the letter from being delivered. She verified my identity and gave me the EIN over the phone. Would never have known about the address error otherwise and might have been waiting forever. I've been trying to reach the IRS for over a month with no success until this.

Have you tried checking the IRS website for the "Where's My EIN" tool? I think they added something like that recently.

Has anyone tried faxing a follow-up request instead of calling? I heard the IRS still processes fax requests for business tax matters.

I've been dealing with the exact same issue for my small consulting business! After reading through all these suggestions, I'm definitely going to try calling that Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 first thing tomorrow morning at 7am sharp. The faxing option also sounds promising as a backup plan. It's frustrating that we have to jump through so many hoops just to follow up on something that should be straightforward, but at least there seem to be some viable alternatives to the main line that never picks up. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread has been more helpful than anything I found on the official IRS website!

I went through this exact nightmare last month with my small catering business! After weeks of getting nowhere with the main IRS line, I finally got my EIN by trying a combination of approaches. What worked for me: I called the Business & Specialty Tax Line (800-829-4933) at exactly 7:01 AM on a Tuesday morning. I had everything ready - my SS-4 application details, business name, my SSN, and the exact date I submitted. The key was being super organized and polite when I finally got through. Also, I sent a fax follow-up the same day using the format someone mentioned above. I think having both touchpoints helped because I got my EIN by phone within 3 days, and then received the official letter a week later. One tip: When you call, immediately say "I'm calling to follow up on EIN application status" - don't let them transfer you around. Have your confirmation number ready if you got one, but don't panic if you don't have it. They can look it up with your business details. The whole system is frustrating but definitely don't give up! Your photography business paperwork is too important to let this delay everything.

I'm going through the exact same frustration with my new LLC! Applied for my EIN 2.5 weeks ago and keep getting that infuriating "high call volume" message every time I try to call. It's like they don't want to help small business owners at all. From reading through all these responses, it sounds like the 7am sharp call strategy on the Business & Specialty Tax Line (800-829-4933) is the most reliable approach. I'm definitely going to try that tomorrow morning with all my application details organized and ready to go. The fax backup plan also seems solid - I'll prepare a follow-up letter tonight just in case the phone doesn't work out. It's honestly crazy that we have to become experts in navigating government bureaucracy just to get a basic tax ID number, but I really appreciate everyone sharing what actually worked for them instead of just complaining. @Paolo Longo - hope you get through soon! Your photography business shouldn't be held up by this administrative nightmare.

I completely feel your pain! I went through this exact same nightmare with my small accounting practice about 6 months ago. The IRS phone system is absolutely broken - I must have gotten that "high call volume" message literally 50+ times over 3 weeks. Here's what finally worked for me: I called the Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 at exactly 7:00 AM on a Wednesday morning. Have EVERYTHING ready before you dial - your SS-4 form details, business legal name, your SSN as the responsible party, mailing address, and the exact date you submitted. When someone answers, immediately say "I need to check the status of my EIN application" - don't let them transfer you around. Also, check if your business structure or activities might be causing delays. In my case, I had selected the wrong business classification code which was flagging my application for manual review. The agent was able to correct it on the spot and give me my EIN immediately. If calling doesn't work, send a fax to 855-641-6935 with "URGENT: EIN STATUS INQUIRY" at the top, include all your application details, and request they mail your EIN to the address on file. It's slower but it works. Don't give up - you'll get through this bureaucratic mess! Your photography business is too important to let this delay everything.

I've been lurking in this community for a while but had to create an account just to share my recent experience with this exact same EIN nightmare! I applied for my EIN for my freelance web development business about a month ago and was stuck in the same endless loop of "high call volume" messages. After reading through this entire thread multiple times and taking notes on everyone's advice, I finally got my EIN last week! Here's exactly what worked for me: I called 800-829-4933 at 7:02 AM on a Thursday (figured I'd try a minute or two after the exact opening to avoid the initial rush). I had everything written out on a notepad - business name, my SSN, application date (March 15th), mailing address, and even my estimated monthly employment tax liability from the original form. The key phrase that got me through without transfers was: "I'm calling to check the status of my EIN application that I submitted 4 weeks ago." The agent was actually super helpful and found that my application had been sitting in a review queue because I had marked "Other" for my business type instead of selecting a specific category. She updated it to "Professional Services" and gave me my EIN right there on the call! Total call time was maybe 8 minutes. After weeks of frustration, I couldn't believe how straightforward it was once I actually got through to someone. For anyone still struggling - the early morning timing really does seem to be the magic trick. Don't give up!

I'm dealing with the exact same situation right now! Applied for my EIN for my small marketing consultancy 3 weeks ago and have been getting nowhere with the main IRS line. That "high call volume" message is like a broken record at this point. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful - it's clear that the Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 early in the morning is the way to go. I love all the specific timing strategies people have shared (7:01 AM, 7:02 AM) to avoid the initial rush. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone had success with calling later in the week versus earlier? I'm wondering if Tuesday-Thursday might be better than Monday when everyone's probably calling after the weekend. I'm going to try the early morning call strategy tomorrow with all my application details organized exactly like @Jamal Harris suggested. The key phrase "I'm calling to check the status of my EIN application that I submitted X weeks ago" seems like gold from multiple success stories here. Also planning to prepare a fax as backup using the format and number @Ravi Malhotra mentioned. It's frustrating that we need backup plans for basic government services, but I appreciate everyone sharing what actually works instead of just complaining! Will report back with results - fingers crossed this bureaucratic nightmare ends soon for all of us still waiting!

I'm going through this exact same frustration with my small business! Been trying to get through to the IRS for weeks about my EIN application with zero success. Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly eye-opening - it's clear the system is completely overwhelmed but there are definitely some proven strategies that work. The early morning calls to 800-829-4933 seem to be the most reliable approach, and I love how specific everyone's gotten with timing (7:01 AM, 7:02 AM to avoid the initial rush). What strikes me most is how many people had issues that required manual review - wrong business classifications, address mismatches, etc. Makes me wonder if the online system needs better validation to catch these issues upfront instead of creating weeks of delays. I'm definitely going to try the early morning call strategy with all my details organized, plus prepare a fax backup. It's ridiculous that we need multiple strategies just to follow up on a basic government service, but I'm grateful for this community sharing real solutions instead of just venting frustration. For anyone else still struggling - don't give up! These success stories prove there's light at the end of the tunnel if you persist with the right approach.

I just wanted to add one more alternative that worked for me after trying everything else mentioned in this thread! I was in the same boat - applied for my EIN for my freelance graphic design business 4 weeks ago and couldn't get through on any of the phone lines despite trying the early morning strategy multiple times. What finally worked was contacting my local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) in person. I know it sounds old-school, but I found my local office using the IRS website's office locator tool, made an appointment online, and brought all my EIN application documents with me. The in-person service was night and day compared to the phone experience. The representative looked up my application immediately, found that there was a technical glitch that had flagged it for manual review (something about the electronic signature not processing correctly), and resolved it on the spot. I walked out with my EIN printed on official letterhead! Most TAC offices require appointments now, but the wait time for an appointment was only about a week in my area - much better than the endless phone loop. Might be worth checking if you have a local office and you're continuing to strike out with phone calls. Just another option to consider if the early morning calling strategy doesn't work out for you!