Why You Don't Want to Call the IRS on President's Day

Thinking about calling the IRS this President's Day? There's good news and bad news. The good news is, because calls peak this time of year, and this day in particular, the IRS toll-free lines will be open Monday, Feb. 20, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The bad news is, they are at their busiest, so be prepared to wait on hold longer than usual. If your question can wait, don't call today.

If you need to call the IRS this tax season, be prepared to validate your identity when speaking with an IRS representative. This will help avoid the need for a repeat call. IRS phone representatives will only discuss personal information with the taxpayer or someone authorized to speak on their behalf.

If you're calling about your personal tax account, have the following information handy:

• Social Security numbers and birth dates for those listed on the tax return
• An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for those without a Social Security number (SSN)
• Filing status – Single, Head of Household, Married Filing Joint or Married Filing Separate
• Prior-year tax return (The IRS may need this to verify your identity before answering certain questions)
• A copy of the tax return in question
• Any letters or notices received from the IRS

If you're calling to check on the status of your refund, a better option is to use the "Where's My Refund?" tool. For information on a state return, a good starting point is our Tax Refund Status page.