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.

Need to make that call? WorldDialer works in your browser. $0.04/minute to any US landline. No subscription required, no app, no contract.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a way to contact the IRS other than by phone?

Yes. The IRS accepts mail at the Austin Service Center for international filers (3651 S IH 35, Austin TX 78741), and you can use IRS.gov tools for refund status, transcript requests, and online payment without calling. For complex cases, the Taxpayer Advocate Service takes email at tas.international@irs.gov and fax at 304-707-9793. You can also authorize a US-based CPA or enrolled agent with Form 2848 to call on your behalf. The phone is best when you need real-time clarification on a specific notice or your account is flagged.

Does the IRS have offices outside the US?

No, the IRS closed its last overseas taxpayer assistance offices in London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Beijing back in 2015. All international taxpayer service runs through the Philadelphia number +1 (267) 941-1000, the Austin mail-in service center, and IRS.gov. The Taxpayer Advocate Service at +1 (515) 564-6827 is also US-based, voicemail-only for international callers. If you need in-person help, your options are a US-based tax preparer who'll work over video, or scheduling a visit to a Taxpayer Assistance Center on your next US trip (appointment required, book at irs.gov/appointment).

Can I call the IRS using a US toll-free number routed through VoIP?

It works inconsistently. Some VoIP services route 1-800 numbers through their US infrastructure so the call lands as if you were stateside; others reject toll-free dialing from abroad outright. WorldDialer at $0.04/min handles US toll-free and the +1 (267) 941-1000 international line from any country with internet. Skype Credit handled this until Microsoft retired Skype on May 5, 2025. For the IRS specifically, the published international number is the cleaner path — it's geographic, so any carrier or VoIP service can route it without the toll-free reciprocity problem.

What if the IRS sends a notice with only a 1-800 number on it?

The 1-800 number printed on IRS notices won't connect reliably from abroad, but the underlying agents are usually reachable through the international line +1 (267) 941-1000. When you get through, read the notice number (top-right of the letter, like CP14, CP504, LT11) to the representative — they'll route you to the team handling that notice type. If the notice has a specific contact name or extension, ask for that person by name. The international line covers general account questions; for refund-specific notices use +1 (267) 941-1099.

Can the IRS call me back at a foreign phone number?

Sometimes, but it's not reliable. Most IRS divisions only call back to US numbers in their system, and many agents won't initiate an outbound international call due to internal policy. The Taxpayer Advocate Service does call back internationally — that's part of why TAS uses voicemail intake at +1 (515) 564-6827. For regular IRS support, plan to call them rather than waiting for a return call. A Google Voice number forwarded to your foreign line is one workaround, but signup requires a US phone number which blocks most expats who've cut their US service.