Need IRS RIVO department phone number - TPG returned payment with RIVO lead number
TPG sent my refund back to the IRS and provided me with a RIVO lead number. Anyone know the direct number to contact the RIVO department? Trying to speed up getting my check instead of waiting around forever.
19 comments


Omar Hassan
There isn't actually a direct number for RIVO (Return Integrity Verification Operations). You'll need to call the main IRS number at 800-829-1040. Make sure you have that RIVO lead number handy when you call - it'll help the rep locate your case faster.
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Freya Pedersen
•ugh seriously? been on hold with the main line for 2 hrs already today 😩
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Omar Hassan
•Yep, welcome to IRS hell lol. Try calling right when they open at 7am EST. Usually shorter wait times then
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Chloe Anderson
•pro tip: use the Spanish line and press 2 for English. way shorter wait times 👀
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Diego Vargas
Hey, I'd recommend checking out taxr.ai - it's this new tool that analyzes your transcript and can tell you exactly what's going on with RIVO holds. It costs $4.99 but saved me hours of phone time with the IRS. Shows you everything about your case and what to do next.
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CosmicCruiser
•does it actually work? seems sus paying for something that should be free tbh
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Diego Vargas
•100% legit. I was skeptical too but it showed me exactly why I had a RIVO hold and what documents I needed to clear it. Worth every penny vs sitting on hold all day
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CosmicCruiser
•just tried it... holy cow you weren't kidding! 🙌 showed me everything going on with my account in like 2 minutes
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Anastasia Fedorov
in the same boat rn. TPG sent mine back 3 weeks ago and still crickets from the IRS 🤡
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Sean Doyle
Your gonna be waiting a minute fam. Had the same issue last year took about 8 weeks to get my check after TPG sent it back.
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Freya Pedersen
•8 weeks?! im bout to lose my mind fr
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Zara Rashid
Document everything! Keep copies of all correspondence with TPG and write down dates/times of IRS calls. Trust me itll help if things get messy
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Luca Romano
The whole system is broken af. Why they gotta make everything so complicated smh
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Nia Jackson
•fr fr tax system living in 1985 while we in 2025 💀
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Aidan Percy
Been through this exact same situation. If you can't get through on the main line, try calling the Taxpayer Advocate Service at 877-777-4778. They sometimes have better luck escalating RIVO cases, especially when third-party processors are involved. Also make sure to check your IRS account online - sometimes they update the status there before anyone tells you about it.
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Keisha Williams
Another thing to try - if you have access to your IRS online account, check for any notices or letters they might have sent about the RIVO hold. Sometimes they'll post updates there that can give you more info about what they need to release your refund. Also, when you do get through to someone, ask specifically about Form 8379 (Injured Spouse Allocation) if you're married - sometimes RIVO holds are related to that and they can expedite the process if you qualify.
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Daniel Price
•This is really helpful info! I didn't know about Form 8379 - that might actually apply to my situation since I'm married and my spouse had some old debt issues. Definitely going to check my online account first before calling again. Thanks for the detailed advice! 🙏
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Simon White
Had this happen to me last year - RIVO cases are such a pain! One thing that helped me was calling the IRS early in the morning (like 7-8am) and asking to speak to someone in the "refund department" specifically. When you mention the RIVO lead number, they should be able to pull up your case and give you a timeline. Also, if you filed electronically, check if your tax prep software has any tools to track refund status - sometimes they have backdoor access to more detailed info than the regular "Where's My Refund" tool.
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Sophia Russo
•Great advice about calling early! I'm definitely going to try the 7am thing tomorrow. Quick question though - when you say "refund department" do you literally ask for that by name or is there a specific extension/menu option? I always get lost in their phone tree system 😅
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