Tax Filing 2023: how to contact the IRS for assistance: Local IRS offices and phone numbers
Need help filing your taxes? The IRS local offices are back up and running to support taxpayers this year. Here is how to find the one nearest you.
After staying closed for the past two years, the IRS’ local offices will reopen this year to support taxpayers as they submit their returns.
The number of offices depends mainly on the geography and population of the state. California, for instance, is home to twenty-eight offices, whereas Iowa only has five locations.
How do I find the IRS office closest to me?
To find the closest office to you, the IRS offers a tool on its website. The list that appears will provide the office’s address, hours of operation, dates it will be closed, and contact information. Once you have identified the nearest office, you need to call and make an appointment.
To avoid the need to return for a second appointment, the IRS advises that a taxpayer prepares for their session by ensuring they bring the following:
- a current government-issued photo ID;
- a taxpayer identification number, such as a Social Security number; and
- any other documentation you may need
Additionally, to keep IRS safe from covid-19, masks are required in areas seeing high levels of transmission in the area or if you are unvaccinated.
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What are the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs?
The IRS offers specific programs to support low-and-middle income taxpayers, those with disabilities, seniors, and those with limited English-speaking abilities. These programs help to provide basic tax return preparation services to these groups. The IRS also notes that VITA and TCE programs also provide support to seniors that specializes in “questions about pensions and retirement-related issues.”
These programs are not always run through IRS local offices, and you can use a different location finder tool to identify a site where they are offered. The volunteers have been certified by the IRS and “are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.”
What services offered by the IRS can be completed online?
To avoid unnecessary appointments being scheduled, the IRS has emphasized the online services offered by the tax authority. These range from making a payment or setting up a payment plan for one’s tax bill to checking the status of one’s refund.