How to Call the IRS from Overseas

The IRS international phone number is +1 (267) 941-1000. It's available Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 11 PM Eastern Time. This isn't the toll-free line you'd use inside the US—that one won't connect from abroad. You'll need this direct number, and you'll pay whatever your phone carrier charges for calls to the US.

The 1-800 numbers don't work from outside the country. Don't waste time trying them.

The IRS Number for International Callers

The main IRS international line is +1 (267) 941-1000. Here's when it's available:

Service Type	Hours (Eastern Time)	Days
General account questions	6:00 AM - 11:00 PM	Monday - Friday
Tax law questions	6:00 AM - 8:00 PM	Monday - Friday

If you're checking on a refund specifically, there's a separate line: +1 (267) 941-1099, same hours as general questions.

Neither number is toll-free. You're making an international call to Philadelphia.

When to Call (Shortest Hold Times)

Call between 7 and 9 AM Eastern Time for the shortest wait. Data from organizations that track IRS hold times shows an average of 38 minutes at 8 AM versus 80+ minutes in the afternoon.

Best practices:

Best time: 7-9 AM Eastern
Best days: Wednesday or Thursday
Worst day: Monday (47% higher call volume than average)
Worst months: January through April (tax season)

Calling mid-week, mid-month, and outside tax season gives you the best shot at a reasonable wait.

What Time to Call from Your Location

To hit that 7-9 AM Eastern sweet spot, here's when to call from major regions:

Your Location	Best Time to Call (Local)
UK / Ireland	12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Western Europe (Paris, Berlin)	1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Middle East (Dubai, Tel Aviv)	3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
India	5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
East Asia (Tokyo, Hong Kong)	9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Australia (Sydney)	11:00 PM - 1:00 AM

Not ideal if you're in Sydney. But calling at 2 PM your time means calling at noon Eastern—when hold times start climbing past an hour.

Before You Call: What You'll Need

Have your Social Security Number ready. The IRS won't discuss your account without it.

Bring to the call:

Social Security Number (or ITIN)
Copy of your most recent tax return
Your specific question written down
Pen and paper for reference numbers

Don't wing it. IRS calls are long enough without having to call back because you forgot to ask something.

If You Can't Get Through: Taxpayer Advocate Service

The Taxpayer Advocate Service has a dedicated international line: +1 (515) 564-6827.

This one's voicemail-based. You leave a message, they call you back. Callback time ranges from a few days to two weeks depending on their volume.

TAS is best for ongoing issues—missing refunds, unresolved notices, systemic problems. For quick questions, stick with the main IRS line.

You can also email TAS at tas.international@irs.gov or fax them at 304-707-9793.

Skip the Runaround

That's it. US toll-free numbers don't work abroad, but the international numbers do. Now you know which ones to call.

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