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IRS Balance Due Phone Number: Live Human Help

Thomas Maxon, CEO & Co-founder of Claimyr | last updated: 11/04/2023

Have you been dialing the IRS customer service phone line (800) 829-1040 to reach a human? This guide covers how to call and reach a live human at the IRS regarding your individual or business balance due. Also, we provide you with a guaranteed way to speak with an agent within a few hours.

Calling the IRS Balance Due Phone Number

Table of contents

How to call the IRS Balance Due phone number and speak with a human using a shortcut

Use the widget below to find out the best times, how to call, and a guaranteed method to reach a live IRS customer service agent regarding your balance due. If it's too hard to call the IRS phone number below, you can place an IRS Balance Due call here to guarantee you reach a human.

Individual callback service

Business callback service

If you want to reach a different department, check out this complete list of IRS phone numbers to find the right department for your needs.

For those who may be unable to pay their balance in full and are considering an installment agreement, you can find detailed IRS Payment Plan Contact Information to set up a manageable payment schedule directly with the IRS.'.

How can I speak to a live person at the IRS?

There are two methods to reach a live person:

  • 1.) by calling manually over and over again, get on a long hold, and then hope the call doesn't drop -- and I'll show you how to do that,
  • 2.) use a calling tool that dials for you, stays on hold, and forwards a call to your phone number when an agent is on the line. (RECOMMENDED)

If you're specifically dealing with tax debts or payment issues, reaching out to the IRS Collections Department may provide more direct assistance with your concerns.

Option 1 (SLOW): call manually - time to a human rep = 2+ hours.

Below is the best way to dial through their menu faster:

If you find yourself in need of personalized assistance after an extended wait time, consider reaching out to the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service, which is designed to help taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS.

Individual IRS Business Balance Due Phone Number

Dial (800) 829-1040

  • Step 1: wait 15 seconds
  • Step 2: press 1
  • Step 3: wait 27 seconds
  • Step 4: press 2
  • Step 5: wait 16 seconds
  • Step 6: press 1
  • Step 7: wait 18 seconds
  • Step 8: press 3
  • Step 9: wait 12 seconds
  • Step 10: press 2
  • Step 11: wait 63 seconds
  • Step 12: press 1
  • Step 13: wait 14 seconds
  • Step 14: press 2

If you need to request an IRS Tax Return Transcript after resolving your business balance due, you can find detailed instructions on the process by visiting our IRS Tax Return Transcript Request page.

Business IRS Business Balance Due Phone Number

Dial (800) 829-1040

  • Step 1: wait 5 seconds
  • Step 2: press 1
  • Step 3: wait 2.5 seconds
  • Step 4: press 2
  • Step 5: wait 2.5 seconds
  • Step 6: press 1
  • Step 7: wait 2.5 seconds
  • Step 8: press 3
  • Step 9: wait 2.5 seconds
  • Step 10: press 2
  • Step 11: wait 24 seconds
  • Step 12: press 1
  • Step 13: wait 3 seconds
  • Step 14: press 1
  • Step 15: wait 3 seconds
  • Step 16: press 1
  • Step 17: wait 50.5 seconds

At this point, the IRS will either tell you they're too busy to take your call or you'll be put on hold.

If you suspect that your business has been a victim of identity theft while resolving your balance due, you may seek specialized help by visiting the IRS Identity Theft Assistance page for guidance on how to address this issue.'.

Option 2 (FAST): use a call app - time to a human rep = 5-40 min.

By far the fastest option is to use software. Robots are simply better at this task than humans ever can be.

  • Step 1: head to Claimyr
  • Step 2: select/search for "IRS Balance Due"
  • Step 3: pay for Claimyr to call for you (yes it's a paid version, but it honestly works very well. You can research Claimyr before buying to be sure)
  • Step 4: kick back, relax, and wait for your phone to ring with an IRS agent on the line!

IRS hours of operations

The IRS is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.

What is the best time to call the IRS regarding balance due?

Do not call during these times (unless you are using Claimyr, which then you can order a callback 24/7 Monday - Sunday):

  • 👎 Monday mornings
  • 👎 After 5 pm on any day
  • 👎 Friday afternoons (as you'll likely not solve your issue until the following week)

But again, if you are using Claimyr's automated callback tool, then you will be able to place a call literally anytime during the day and get a callback soon after.

The best time to call the IRS is Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. ⚠️WARNING⚠️: please beware that you often need to dedicate an entire day to dialing over and over just to get on hold. Also, the IRS is notorious for dropping calls even when you finally do get on hold! So if you decide to start calling mid-week, due to excessive call volume, you may not be able to reach an agent until the following week or longer.

If you don't consider calling the IRS regarding your balance due a full-time profession, consider using a calling tool such as Claimyr to guarantee a callback with an agent on the line with zero hold time.