Best times to call the IRS

Hi all,

I have been trying to get advice from the IRS to rectify a situation which means I cannot cash a ACTC refund cheque (submitted forms electronically with my wife's maiden name as she hadn't updated her SSN, which she now has done, but she has no bank account in that name so cannot deposit/cash it anywhere).

However, every time I have tried ringing over the last few weeks the line has 9/10 said they are too busy and please phone back the next day, or, the 1 time I did get through it told me  had an estimated 15-30min wait, I stayed on for 2hr before it then redirected me back through the menu and then told me they were too busy...

I am phoning the Philadelphia number 267-941-1000, Option 1, 4, 1.

Any thoughts on how to maximise chance of getting through??

Many thanks in advance.

In general, I find it easiest to get through/have the shortest waits when calling right on the button of when a place opens.
I don't know what time that is in this case but I would guess it might specify on their contact page.

It can be completely infuriating though, you have my sympathies. Good luck getting everything sorted.

For my 1 experience of needing to contact the IRS, it was very frustrating.

It took about 60 attempts to even make it into the queue. It was then 1 hour to make it through to an agent. You may be thinking that sounds alright. However after speaking to that agent, i was told i needed to be transferred to another department. It turned out their transfer lines just take you to the public queue, so as expected i was thrown out and had to repeat the process again with the correct department's phone number. I was over 3 hours all in by the time i got it sorted.

Bit of a rant, but it was around the 1 hour mark for each wait after eventually getting into the queue. I called bang on opening time for the first call, and then around 1 hour 30 mins after opening time for the second.

Phoning will not make this any quicker. You'll need to mail the cheque back and ask the IRS to issue a new cheque. If you still wish to call the IRS, as a tax professional in London we find it best to telephone the IRS no later than 11:00 am here in the UK, using this telephone number:  001 267 941 1000 (selecting options 1, 4 and then 2 to speak with an operator).

Hi all,

I have been trying to get advice from the IRS to rectify a situation which means I cannot cash a ACTC refund cheque (submitted forms electronically with my wife's maiden name as she hadn't updated her SSN, which she now has done, but she has no bank account in that name so cannot deposit/cash it anywhere).

However, every time I have tried ringing over the last few weeks the line has 9/10 said they are too busy and please phone back the next day, or, the 1 time I did get through it told me  had an estimated 15-30min wait, I stayed on for 2hr before it then redirected me back through the menu and then told me they were too busy...

I am phoning the Philadelphia number 267-941-1000, Option 1, 4, 1.

Any thoughts on how to maximise chance of getting through??

Many thanks in advance.

I've posted this link previously, but you might find it useful - interesting reading also: It shows when each government department is busiest - helps you choose a quiet time with a better chance of getting through.

https://analytics.usa.gov/treasury/

Good luck.