Need help contacting IRS - Stuck in automated system hell. Any tips?

Ugh, I feel your pain. The IRS phone system is a nightmare. I spent hours trying to get through last month. Have you tried calling right when they open? Sometimes that works.

I found a method that actually works to get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video explaining it: https://youtu.be/5jrMesbidvI

Pro tip: if you press 1 for Spanish and then 0, you sometimes get through faster. Most of the agents speak English too, so it's worth a shot!

Have you tried reaching out to your local Taxpayer Advocate Service? They can sometimes help with IRS issues and might be easier to get ahold of.

Honestly, at this point I'm convinced the IRS is run by a bunch of trained monkeys with typewriters. How hard is it to hire enough people to answer the damn phones? 🤬

Here's what I've learned after dealing with the IRS for years: 1. Persistence is key. Keep calling, even if it takes days. 2. Use the IRS website to check if you can resolve your issue online first. 3. If possible, try to schedule an in-person appointment at a local IRS office. 4. Keep detailed records of all your calls, including date, time, and any reference numbers. 5. Consider hiring a tax professional if your issue is complex. 6. Be polite but firm when you do get through to someone. 7. If all else fails, contact your congressional representative's office. They can sometimes intervene on your behalf. Hope this helps! Dealing with the IRS is never fun, but stay patient and you'll get through eventually.

Anyone else think its ridiculous that we have to jump through all these hoops just to talk to someone about our taxes? The system is so broken

I heard a rumor that if you say 'agent' repeatedly during the automated menu, it'll eventually connect you to a person. Anyone tried this?

I've had success using the "call back" feature when it's available - instead of waiting on hold, the system will call you back when an agent is free. It's not always offered, but when it is, it's a lifesaver! Also, try calling on Wednesdays or Thursdays mid-morning (around 10-11 AM) - I've noticed the wait times are usually shorter then. Good luck getting through!

I've been dealing with IRS phone hell too! One thing that worked for me was calling the practitioner priority line if you have a tax professional helping you - the wait times are much shorter. Also, if you're calling about a specific notice or letter, have that document number ready because some automated systems will let you bypass the main queue if you enter it. And here's a weird trick I discovered: sometimes hanging up and calling back immediately when you get the "high call volume" message actually puts you in a different queue with shorter wait times. Not sure why it works, but it's saved me hours!

I've been through this nightmare too! Here's what finally worked for me: Try calling (844) 545-5640 and when you get to the menu, press 1, then 2, then 3, then 2 again. This gets you to the individual tax help line and seems to have shorter wait times than the main number. Also, I noticed that calling around 1-2 PM on Tuesdays has been my sweet spot - seems like fewer people are calling then. Another trick is to have your Social Security number and last year's AGI ready before you even dial, because some of the automated systems will fast-track you if you can provide that info quickly. Hang in there - it's frustrating as hell but you'll eventually get through!

I just went through this exact same struggle last month! What finally worked for me was calling the IRS at 7:00 AM sharp (they open at 7 AM in most time zones) and immediately pressing 2 for personal income tax, then 1 for form/tax history, then 3 for all other questions. This seems to bypass some of the busier queues. Also, I discovered that if you call on a Friday afternoon around 3-4 PM, the wait times are surprisingly shorter - I think most people assume it's busy then but it's actually one of the better times. Keep your tax return and any IRS letters handy when you call, and don't give up! It took me 6 attempts over 3 days but I finally got through. The actual agent was super helpful once I reached them. Good luck!

I've been dealing with IRS phone issues for months and finally found a strategy that works! Try calling (877) 777-4778 (the general taxpayer line) at exactly 7:15 AM on weekdays - not 7:00 AM when everyone else calls, but 15 minutes later when the initial rush dies down. When you get through the menu, press 1 for English, then 2 for personal income tax questions, then 1 for balance due inquiries (even if that's not your exact issue - it routes to the same agents but has shorter wait times). I also recommend downloading a call recording app so you can document any reference numbers or instructions they give you. Last tip: if you get disconnected, call back immediately using the same menu sequence - they sometimes have a "recent caller" priority that puts you back in a better queue position. This approach got me through in under 45 minutes last week after weeks of failed attempts. Don't give up!