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IRS Phone Number for Refund: How to Speak to a Live Person

by Thomas Maxon, CEO & Co-founder of Claimyr | UPDATED: 05/03/2023

Looking for a number you can call for your tax refund? Try calling this little-known IRS number (866) 682-7451. Don't make the error and just call this number blindly, though.

Calling the IRS for tax refunds

Follow the instructions on this refund delay guide outline below to get a live IRS agent on the phone. Alternatively, you can check out our complete list of IRS phone numbers before you call this number.

Table of Contents:

  1. IRS refund number calling instructions
  2. Benefits of calling the IRS for refund delays
  3. Reasons your IRS refund gets delayed
  4. IRS refund questions & answers

The benefits of calling are simple. You'll be able to speak to a live IRS representative who can look at your IRS account. Your IRS phone agent will determine what the issue is and may get your IRS refund into your account faster.

Instructions to call the IRS refund number

The primary IRS line, 800-829-1040, for refund questions is usually jammed with long wait times. Try this one below instead for faster help!

IRS Issue Number How to Talk to a Human
IRS Main Customer Phone Number 866-682-7451 Dial 1, 5+ 6+9 (last updated: 04/13/2022)

Follow these steps to call 866-682-7451

  1. Dial 866-682-7451,
  2. press 1 for English or press 2 for Spanish,
  3. Enter "569" immediately after you hear "enter in your three-digit number on the top right of your IRS letter,
  4. The IRS will then tell you how long the estimated wait time on hold will be,
  5. Wait on hold until an IRS representative picks up!

The tool below helps with tips to skip the hold time, the long menu, the best times to call, and also a guaranteed way to get through if you need it.

866-682-7451 IRS refund phone number hours of operation

This IRS customer service phone number takes calls Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Get these documents ready before calling the IRS refund number

Whenever you contact the IRS, they'll need to verify your identity over the phone. In addition, they may need additional tax documents to solve your IRS refund delay. Please look at the documents list below and get them ready before you call in. This will make sure the call goes smoothly and is resolved faster.

Helpful IRS documents to have ready

  1. A copy of your tax return - this is likely IRS form 1040,
  2. your Social Security number and birth date,
  3. your ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) if you have one,
  4. a prior year(s) IRS tax return if they need it,
  5. a copy of your tax transcript,
  6. all IRS letters or notices you've received through the USPS mail.

Why calling is the fastest way to resolve a delay in your IRS refund

Talking to a professional IRS phone representative can be the quickest way to solve a tax issue. Simply put, when you speak with a live IRS agent, they can fix IRS account issues over the phone. In many cases, you need to call the IRS to get a problem fixed because there is no other way to do it currently.

Other ways to contact the IRS about your refund:

You can mail documents to the IRS if necessary. Be warned that IRS account updates by mail can take weeks or longer. You also don't know where your documents are in the IRS refund process. The IRS asks that you call them 6 weeks after mailing in documentation to check on the status of your paperwork.

The IRS has some online tools, but most of them won't tell you what the delay is. If your refund is delayed on the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool for more than 21 days, the IRS highly recommends calling them.

If you need to skip the IRS refund number wait line, the calling tool below is convenient.

The IRS has set up many phone hotlines to solve many different issues. Knowing your exact IRS issue and the correct IRS department before calling is very important. Here is an extensive list of additional IRS phone numbers and departments for more help.

Common Reasons IRS tax refunds get delayed

Most of the time, refund delays are caused by taxpayers making an error on their return. However, in recent years the IRS has been dealing with a backlog of tax cases which can also cause refund delays.

Here are some common tax return mistakes that delay getting your IRS refund faster.

Don't mail in your IRS tax return

As discussed above, mailing in a tax return will be the slowest way to get a tax refund. Documents sent to the IRS are processed in the order received; you won't be able to check the IRS tool "Where's My Refund" for at least four weeks after you mailed your return.

Unless there is a compelling reason, electronically file your tax return to get the fastest IRS refund. 9 out of 10 IRS tax refunds are sent out to taxpayers before 21 days pass using e-file methods. Equally important is to use Direct Deposit for your tax refund, which means no lost checks or delays through the mail.

Missing or incomplete information on a tax return causes refund delays

Consequently, taxpayer errors on their submitted tax returns are the most significant reason refunds get delayed. It can be simple things such as not completing all fields, missing important dependent information, or even inputting different information than what is shown on W-2s or 1099 forms. These errors will cause significant delays for the IRS to process your tax return.

Make sure you use tax filing software when possible, as these programs check for common errors.

Problems with tax calculations cause refund delays

The IRS checks your math. Depending on how you arrive at your numbers for taxable income, Social Security withholding, or credits and deductions is where many returns get flagged for more IRS review. Be very careful when calculating the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child and Dependent Care Credit, and the Recovery Rebate. These are commonly reviewed for calculation errors and fraud by the IRS and will delay your refund if issues are found.

Bank account numbers are not current

If the IRS has the incorrect routing or bank account number for your federal tax refund deposit, they don't know it. It's up to you to ensure that your banking information is correct when you file a return. Once a direct deposit is sent out, but you didn't receive it, you'll need to call in and get guidance from the IRS on proceeding with a cancellation and refund resend.

Taxpayers filing early are at risk

Many taxpayers want to complete their taxes early and get a prompt refund. Herein lies the catch, though. Many times the documentation you'll need to file a complete and accurate return isn't sent to you until late January or later.

For example, you may have an investment account that will be sending you a 1099 form. If you forgot to list this information in your early tax filing, be assured your tax return will have a processing delay. The same goes for other common IRS documents, including W-2's.

Forgot to sign your tax forms

Whether you file a return by mail or electronically, the IRS cannot process the tax returns if the tax returns are not signed. Ensure that your spouse signs if filing jointly to avoid any processing delays.

Name doesn't match Social Security

Don't fat finger or misspell your name or your family's names when submitting a tax return. The IRS will need all individuals to have a matching full name and Social Security Number to process a return. Be careful when typing or writing your name down into a tax prep software or on paper; the details matter here.

IRS refund frequently asked questions

If I filed a tax return, is it possible to change the direct deposit banking information after?

Answer: It depends on the processing stage of your tax return. The IRS can't update bank information while they have your return; it's just their policy. Make sure you are accurate when entering critical bank information, which includes the following:

  1. Make sure your name matches your bank account. Do the same for your spouse's name if the account is in their name. This is a common reason for a bank to reject a tax refund direct deposit.
  2. Triple-check your bank account number and routing number before submitting your tax return.
  3. Don't request tax refunds to a bank account not in your name.

Three common refund scenarios and solutions:

  1. Perhaps your name, bank account, or routing number was incorrectly submitted when you filed your taxes. If the IRS has already processed your tax return and sent your federal tax refund, your bank will reject the funds. Your bank will notify the IRS, and the IRS will send out a paper check refund to the address you provided when filing.

  2. Alternatively, your bank could accept the deposit into the wrong account. In this case, you'll need to work with your bank directly to recover the funds. This isn't a complicated process as you'll only be dealing with your bank.

  3. The last scenario is the fastest to fix. If you've just submitted an electronic tax return and the IRS has not begun processing it, there is a way to call them directly and get this resolved. The IRS will cancel your direct deposit and reject your filing. Once this is completed, you'll be able to resubmit your tax return with the correct banking information. Call this IRS number here 866-682-7451 for fast IRS customer service on bank account issues.

Can the IRS change your tax refund amount?

Answer: Yes, the IRS has the legal right to increase or reduce your federal tax refund after filing. Let's take a look at what causes these situations.

IRS increases a tax refund amount:

In some cases, the IRS may determine to increase your refund. This is usually done when you have miscalculated your withholding or over-reported income. Other mistakes in your filing can create a situation where the IRS determines a larger refund is needed. Your electronic filing software will often catch these errors, so expect this more for self-filed paper tax returns.

IRS reduces a tax refund amount:

The more common refund change is the IRS reducing a tax refund amount. The IRS may determine your refund is an overpayment and "offset" (which means reduce) a tax refund for the following reasons:

  1. This one is pretty unusual, but the IRS can refund you a portion of the expected amount while they conduct additional reviews on items you claimed on your tax return.
  2. If you owe federal income tax, the IRS will pay that delinquent debt directly from your tax refund. Any remaining balance is then sent to your bank account.
  3. The IRS will reduce tax refunds for overdue student loans.
  4. If you owe state income tax, the IRS will deduct it from your refund.
  5. Child support is another common reason the IRS may reduce a tax refund.
  6. Lastly, flawed calculations or other mistakes will cause refund decreases.

If the IRS reduces a tax refund, a notice is sent to you. The notice is sent through the USPS from the Bureau of Fiscal Service (BFS). If you receive a notice from the BFS regarding a tax offset, know that it's about a reduced tax refund.

The BFS notice will detail the following:

  • The original tax refund amount,
  • the amount of the offset (money deducted from the tax refund),
  • where the offset is being sent to, for example, a state income board or child support agency,
  • the address and phone number to contact the agency that was paid out of your refund.

If you want to challenge the BFS finding, contact the agency the notice listed. Please do not contact the IRS for help with a tax refund offset; they won't be able to help you unless the BFS offset amount is not the same as your IRS tax refund amount. If you have additional questions or did not receive a BFS notice, the Bureau of the Fiscal Services phone number is 800-304-3107. Their call center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm Central Standard Time.

Do you have a lost IRS refund check?

Answer: Getting a lost IRS refund check can happen with mail getting lost and people moving addresses. You'll want to start an IRS refund trace process. This can take several weeks to get sorted, so make sure you are patient.

Call the IRS phone number for refund traces - 800-829-1954. Using their automated system or by talking to an IRS agent, you'll be able to request a refund trace. Take note that this phone number won't work if you are married and filed jointly. Instead, submit IRS form 3911 by mail to get a jointly filed tax refund trace in process.

Refund check was not cashed

The IRS refund trace department will resolve your refund issue depending on what happened to the first refund check. If the refund check has been deposited or cashed, the IRS will send a replacement check.

Refund check was deposited or cashed

If the original refund check was deposited or cashed, the Bureau of Fiscal Services will send you a "claim package," including a copy of your actual tax refund check. Complete all instructions provided in the claim package and send it back to the BFS department. Once a signature match of the two checks is completed and passed, the BFS will send out a replacement check.