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IRS Payment Plan Phone Number: Live Human Help

Thomas Maxon, CEO & Co-founder of Claimyr | last updated: 04/19/2024

Have you been dialing the IRS Payment Plan phone line (800) 829-1040 to reach a human? This guide covers how to call and reach a live human at the IRS about your payment plan. Also, we provide you with a guaranteed way to speak with an agent within a few hours.

Table of contents

How to call the IRS Payment Plan 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 payment plan. If it's too hard to call the IRS phone number below, you can place an IRS Payment Plan call here to guarantee you reach a human.

For individual taxpayers:

For businesses:

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.

If you're facing unresolved tax issues or need specialized assistance, you can also find the contact information for the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service, which can assist with unresolved tax issues, to get personalized help with your situation.

How can I speak to a live person at the IRS for my payment plan?

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 prefer to speak with someone in person about your payment plan, you can find the phone number for local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers for face-to-face tax help, which may reduce the wait time compared to calling the main IRS line.

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

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

Dial (800) 829-1040

  • Step 1: wait 3 seconds
  • Step 2: press 1
  • Step 3: wait 3 seconds
  • Step 4: press 2
  • Step 5: wait 3 seconds
  • Step 6: press 1
  • Step 7: wait 3 seconds
  • Step 8: press 3
  • Step 9: wait 3 seconds
  • Step 10: press 2
  • Step 11: wait 29 seconds
  • Step 12: press 2
  • Step 13: wait 3 seconds
  • Step 14: press 1
  • Step 15: wait 3 seconds
  • Step 16: press 1
  • Step 17: wait 29.5 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 your issue is specifically related to tax debts or payment arrangements, you might consider using the Direct line to the IRS collections department for questions about tax debts and payment issues, which could lead to a more direct resolution.'.

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 Setup Payment Plan"
  • 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!

If you also need documentation for your financial records, you can learn about how to call and request a tax return transcript from the IRS on the phone, which may be needed for loan applications or financial aid, by visiting the detailed guide on Claimyr's website.

IRS hours of operation

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

If you suspect that your tax account has been compromised, it's crucial to report it as soon as possible; for more details, please refer to our comprehensive guide on the Contact information for reporting identity theft to the IRS, which can affect tax accounts and payment plans.

What is the best time to call the IRS about my payment plan?

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 payment plan 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.