Call the IRS at 844-545-5640 to schedule an appointment at a local office

The IRS does not take appointments online. You must call their appointment line to book a time to meet with a representative in person. The number is 844-545-5640, and it is available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in your local time zone. Have your Social Security number or tax ID ready when you call.

When you reach a representative, tell them what you need help with — whether it is a tax return question, a notice you received, or a payment issue. They will ask which IRS office location is most convenient for you and offer available time slots. Most appointments are scheduled within one to three weeks, though urgent matters may be sooner.

If you cannot reach someone by phone, you can also walk into any IRS office without an appointment, but wait times are often several hours. Calling ahead is faster.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 844-545-5640 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time, to book an in-person appointment at an IRS office.
  • Have your Social Security number or tax ID available when you call, and be ready to describe what you need help with.
  • Appointments typically open up within one to three weeks, though you can also walk in to any IRS office without scheduling ahead.
  • The IRS does not offer online appointment scheduling, and phone lines are busiest early in the week and early in the tax season.

What to bring to your IRS appointment

Bring a photo ID and your Social Security number or tax ID. If your appointment is about a specific tax return, bring that year's return and any supporting documents — receipts, W-2s, 1099s, or records of deductions you claimed. If you received a notice from the IRS, bring the notice itself.

If someone else is representing you — a tax professional, accountant, or family member — they will need to bring a power of attorney form (Form 2848) signed by you, or a tax information authorization form (Form 8821) if they only need to view your information without making decisions. The IRS will not discuss your account with anyone without one of these forms on file.

Bring copies, not originals, of any documents. The IRS may keep copies for their file.

What happens during the appointment

The representative will review your account, answer questions, and help you understand any notices or bills. If you owe taxes, they can discuss payment plans or other options. If you disagree with a notice, they can explain the reason for it and tell you how to dispute it. They cannot make decisions on the spot for complex cases — those go to a supervisor or a different department.

The appointment usually lasts 15 to 45 minutes, depending on how complicated your situation is. If the representative needs more time or has to research something, they may schedule a follow-up call or appointment.

You can record the appointment if you want a record of what was discussed, but tell the representative at the start that you plan to record.

Canceling or rescheduling an appointment

If you need to cancel or change your appointment time, call the same number you used to book it: 844-545-5640. Call as soon as you know you cannot make it, so the slot opens up for someone else. If you miss an appointment without canceling, the IRS may close your case or require you to call back to reschedule.

If you cancel and want to reschedule, you can do so in the same call.

When you cannot reach the appointment line

The IRS appointment line is often busy, especially from January through April. If you cannot get through after several tries, you have other options. You can walk into any IRS office during business hours — typically 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday — and wait to speak with someone. You can also mail a letter to your local IRS office requesting an appointment, though this takes longer.

If your issue is urgent — for example, you have a court date or a important date — mention that when you call. The IRS may prioritize your appointment.

For tax questions that do not require an in-person meeting, you can also call the IRS tax help line at 800-829-1040 to speak with a representative by phone.

Using a representative or power of attorney

You can authorize a tax professional, CPA, enrolled agent, or attorney to meet with the IRS on your behalf. To do this, file Form 2848 (Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative) with the IRS before the appointment, or bring it with you to the appointment. This form gives your representative the authority to act for you — to negotiate, sign agreements, and make decisions.

If you only want your representative to view your information without making decisions, use Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization) instead. This is simpler and does not grant decision-making power.

Your representative can call the IRS on your behalf to schedule the appointment, or you can schedule it yourself and have them attend with you.

What to do if you receive a notice before your appointment

If the IRS sends you a notice with a important date, and you have already scheduled an appointment, bring the notice with you. The representative can often extend the important date or pause collection action while your case is being reviewed. Do not ignore the important date — contact the IRS or your representative to confirm that the appointment will be treated as a timely response.

If the notice gives you a important date that is sooner than your appointment date, call 844-545-5640 again and explain the urgency. They may be able to move your appointment up or direct you to a phone representative who can help when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I schedule an IRS appointment online?

No. The IRS does not offer online scheduling. You must call 844-545-5640 to book an appointment. You can also walk into any IRS office without an appointment, though wait times are typically longer.

How long does it take to get an IRS appointment?

Most appointments are available within one to three weeks of calling. During tax season (January through April), wait times may be longer. If your situation is urgent, tell the representative when you call, and they may schedule you sooner.

What if I cannot make my appointment?

Call 844-545-5640 to cancel or reschedule. Canceling early gives the slot to someone else. If you miss an appointment without canceling, the IRS may close your case, and you will need to call back to reopen it.

Do I need a lawyer to go to an IRS appointment?

No. You can represent yourself, bring a family member, or hire a tax professional, CPA, enrolled agent, or attorney. If you bring someone other than yourself, they need Form 2848 (power of attorney) or Form 8821 (tax information authorization) signed by you.

What if the IRS office is far from where I live?

When you call to schedule, ask if a phone appointment or video appointment is an option for your situation. Not all issues can be handled remotely, but some can. If an in-person visit is necessary, you can request the office closest to you, or ask about mailing documents instead.