Best times to call the IRS
The heatmap below shows when calls to the IRS actually get through, by day and hour, built from our own live call data. A darker cell means fewer attempts to get through. In short: call early in the morning, midweek.
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See how it worksWhen calls to the IRS get through
The best time to call the IRS is early in the morning, right after the lines open at 7 a.m. your local time. Midweek — Tuesday through Thursday — beats Monday, which is the busiest day. The hour right after lunch is another slow window to avoid.
Even in the best hours, reaching a person can take several attempts. Call volume is far larger than the number of agents, so most calls wait on long holds. A hold can run past two hours and then drop before you reach an agent.
IRS phone hours
The main IRS individual line, 1-800-829-1040, is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. The lines are closed on weekends and federal holidays. The last two hours before close are the worst time to call: the IRS may still take the call, but a hold rarely reaches a live agent before the line closes for the day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to call the IRS?
Early in the morning, right after the lines open at 7 a.m. local time, and midweek — Tuesday through Thursday. Mondays and the hour after lunch are the busiest. The heatmap above shows the pattern from our own live call data.
What hours is the IRS phone line open?
The main IRS individual line, 1-800-829-1040, is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Lines are closed on weekends and federal holidays.
Why is it so hard to reach a person at the IRS?
Call volume far exceeds the number of agents, so most calls wait on long holds or get disconnected. Even in the best hours it can take several attempts to get through, and a hold can run past two hours and then drop.
Is the worst time to call the IRS late in the day?
Yes. The last two hours before the lines close are the worst. The IRS may still take the call, but a hold rarely reaches a live agent before the line closes for the day.
Holdless is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS provides free assistance at irs.gov and 1-800-829-1040.