Tax Tip 2019-136: Taxpayers can explore several tax help options before visiting an IRS office

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sent this bulletin at 10/01/2019 12:22 PM EDT

IRS Tax Tips

October 1, 2019

Issue Number: Tax Tip 2019-136

Taxpayers can explore several tax help options before visiting an IRS office

Some taxpayers may think they need to visit an IRS office for help in person with their tax issues. However, many of these people may actually find what they need online or by phone. In fact, many questions can be answered without ever having to visit to an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center.

Finding answers to their tax questions.
Taxpayers can use several resources to find answers:

The Interactive Tax Assistant asks the taxpayer questions and gives answers based on their input.
Publication 17 covers a broad range of topics and updates on tax law changes.
IRS.gov provides information on what to do when a letter from the IRS arrives.
Publication 5136, IRS Services Guide, has more ways taxpayers can get help.

Checking on their tax refund status.
Taxpayers have two options to check on their refund:

Use the Where’s My Refund? tool at IRS.gov or on the IRS2Go app.
Dial 800-829-1954 anytime for the audio version of this tool.

Making a payment.
Taxpayers have several options for submitting a payment to IRS:

Use IRS Direct Pay on IRS.gov. This is a free, secure electronic method to pay from a checking or savings account.
Pay by debit or credit card. The third-party providers of this service will charge a processing fee.
Visit the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System for online and phone options.
Get the IRS2Go app. It provides the mobile-friendly payment options, Direct Pay and card payments on mobile devices.
Make a cash payment in-person at more than 7,000 retail stores nationwide.
Mail a personal, cashier’s check or money order made out to the U.S. Treasury along with a completed Form 1040-V, Payment Voucher. Taxpayers should never send cash.

Viewing online accounts.
Taxpayers can view account information online at IRS.gov/account. From this page, taxpayers can:

View the amount they owe and get the total payoff amount for the current calendar day.
Connect to other online tools, such as Direct Pay and Get Transcript, without having to log in again.
Get key information about their current year tax return as it was originally filed.

Visiting an IRS office.
If a taxpayer decides they want a face-to-face interaction, they need to first take these two steps:

Use the Contact Your Local Office tool on IRS.gov. This tool helps taxpayers find the closest IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center, the days and hours of operation, and a list of services the TAC provides.
Make an appointment. The taxpayer will need to call 844-545-5640 to make an appointment. Taxpayers will then receive an email confirming the day and time of their appointment.

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Tax Tip 2019-136: Taxpayers can explore several tax help options before visiting an IRS office

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Issue Number: Tax Tip 2019-136