How to Schedule an Appointment With the IRS

How to book an in-person appointment at an IRS office

You can schedule an in-person appointment at an IRS office through their online system or by phone. The IRS calls this the Appointment Request System, and it lets you pick a date, time, and location that works for you. You do not need to visit an office without scheduling first — walk-ins are not accepted at most locations.

The fastest way is online at irs.gov/appointments. You will enter your zip code to find nearby offices, then select the type of issue you need help with (tax return questions, payment plans, identity theft, and so on). The system shows you available time slots for the next few weeks and lets you book when ready.

If you do not have internet access or prefer to book by phone, call the IRS at 1-844-545-5640. A representative will ask you the same questions the online system does and will book the appointment for you. Wait times on the phone can be long, especially during tax season, so the online option is usually faster.

Key Takeaways

• Book your IRS appointment online at irs.gov/appointments or by calling 1-844-545-5640; walk-ins are not accepted at most offices.
• You will need to tell the IRS what your issue is — such as a tax return question, payment problem, or identity theft — so they can assign the right person to help you.
• Appointment slots fill up during tax season (January through April), so book as soon as you know you need help.
• Bring a photo ID and any documents related to your issue, such as a notice from the IRS, your tax return, or proof of income.

What information you need before booking

Have your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) ready. The IRS will ask for this to pull up your account and confirm your identity. You will also need to describe your issue in general terms — the system gives you a list of categories to choose from, such as "Tax Return Issues," "Payment Plans," or "Identity Theft."

If you already received a notice or letter from the IRS, have that handy. The notice number helps the IRS pull up exactly what they sent you and why. If your appointment is about a specific tax year, know which year it is (for example, your 2022 tax return or your 2023 payment).

Types of issues the IRS handles by appointment

The IRS appointment system covers most common tax matters. You can book an appointment if you have questions about filing your tax return, need to set up a payment plan, received a notice you do not understand, are dealing with identity theft or a stolen refund, or need help with a business tax issue.

Some issues cannot be handled in person. If you need to amend a return from a prior year, you usually mail Form 1040-X instead of visiting an office. If you are being audited, the IRS will tell you in a letter whether to come in person or send documents by mail. The appointment system will tell you if your issue requires a different process.

What to bring to your appointment

Bring a photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The IRS will not meet with you without it. Bring any documents related to your issue: if it is about a tax return, bring your return and any supporting documents like W-2s or 1099s; if it is about a payment plan, bring proof of income; if it is about a notice, bring the notice itself.

If someone else is going to the appointment on your behalf, bring a power of attorney form. The IRS uses Form 2848 (Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative) for this. You can read it from irs.gov or bring a letter signed by you that says the other person has your permission to discuss your tax account with the IRS.

How long appointments usually take

Most IRS appointments last 15 to 30 minutes, though some take longer depending on how complex your issue is. A straightforward question about a notice might take 15 minutes; setting up a payment plan or discussing an audit might take 45 minutes or more. The IRS will give you an estimated time when you book.

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. IRS offices have security screening at the entrance, similar to what you see at an airport, so you will need time to go through that. If you are more than 15 minutes late, the IRS may cancel your appointment and you will have to reschedule.

Finding an IRS office near you

When you go to irs.gov/appointments or call to book, the system will show you IRS offices within a reasonable distance of your zip code. Most cities have at least one office; rural areas may have you travel to the nearest town. The online system shows the address, phone number, and hours for each office.

Some IRS offices have limited hours or are only open certain days of the week. The appointment system will only show you slots that are actually available, so if an office is closed on Fridays, you will not see Friday appointments there. If the nearest office is too far away, ask the IRS representative on the phone whether they can schedule you at a different location or whether your issue can be handled by mail or phone instead.

What happens if you need to cancel or reschedule

If you need to change your appointment, go back to irs.gov/appointments and log in with the confirmation number you received when you booked. You can cancel and rebook a new time slot. If you booked by phone, call 1-844-545-5640 to reschedule.

Cancel as soon as you know you cannot make it. If you do not show up and do not cancel, the IRS may be less willing to schedule you again in the future. If the IRS cancels on you (which happens occasionally due to staffing), they will contact you to reschedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do a video or phone appointment instead of going in person?

Some IRS offices offer phone or video appointments for certain issues. When you book online or call, you will see whether your issue and location support remote appointments. If they do, you can choose that option instead of coming in person.

How far in advance do I need to book?

You can usually book an appointment one to four weeks out, depending on how busy the office is. During tax season (January through April), slots fill up quickly, so book as soon as you know you need help. Outside tax season, you may find appointments available within a few days.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

If you have an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), use that instead. If you do not have either, call 1-844-545-5640 to explain your situation; the IRS may be able to help you schedule using other information.

Do I need to pay for an IRS appointment?

No. IRS appointments are free. If someone offers to charge you to book an IRS appointment, that is a scam. The IRS does not charge for appointments, and they do not work through third-party websites that claim to book them for you.

What if I miss my appointment?

If you do not show up and do not cancel, you will have to reschedule. The IRS may deprioritize future appointment requests from you. If something unexpected happens, call the office directly as soon as you can to let them know and ask about rescheduling.