If you're a US citizen living abroad, an expat, or a foreign national with US tax obligations, you may need to call the IRS. The challenge: expensive international rates combined with long hold times.
Why is calling the IRS from abroad so expensive?
Three factors combine to make IRS calls costly from overseas:
Carrier international rates
Traditional carriers charge $1-3/minute for international calls to the US. Without a special plan, T-Mobile charges $3/minute from most European countries. Verizon starts at $0.49/minute.
The "toll-free trap"
US toll-free numbers (1-800, 1-888, etc.) are only free within the US. International callers pay their carrier's international rates to reach these numbers—often the same as calling any US number. Some carriers even block toll-free calls from abroad.
IRS wait times
Average IRS hold times exceed 30 minutes. During tax season (January–April) or on Mondays/Tuesdays, waits can extend beyond an hour. Post-filing season, wait times can triple.
The math: 30 minutes at $2/minute = $60 just to reach an agent. If the call drops, you start over.
What are the cheapest ways to call the IRS from abroad?
VoIP (Voice over IP) services let you call US numbers through the internet at a fraction of carrier rates.
VoIP services
DialHard: Browser-based (no app needed). Rates from $0.03/minute to US numbers. Toll-free calls (1-800, 1-888, etc.) are free—first 5 minutes daily with 98% completion rate. Credit never expires. Minimum purchase $20.
Viber Out: App-based. Rates from ~$0.01/minute to US. Minimum ~$5. Credit expires after 180 days.
Google Voice: Free for US residents—calls to US numbers are free. Only available to US residents with a US phone number.
The toll-free advantage
Most IRS numbers are toll-free (1-800). If your VoIP service routes toll-free calls for free, you can wait on hold without racking up charges. DialHard offers this—critical when IRS hold times exceed 30 minutes.
What are the IRS phone numbers?
Use the +1 country code when dialing from abroad.
| Department | Number | Hours (Mon-Fri) | VoIP Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individuals (Form 1040) | +1-800-829-1040 | 7am-7pm local time | Free (toll-free) |
| International Taxpayers | +1-267-941-1000 | 6am-11pm ET | ~$0.03/min |
| Businesses | +1-800-829-4933 | 7am-7pm local time | Free (toll-free) |
| Refund Status | +1-800-829-1954 | 24/7 automated | Free (toll-free) |
| Tax Transcripts | +1-800-908-9946 | 7am-7pm local time | Free (toll-free) |
The international taxpayer line (+1-267-941-1000) has extended hours specifically for overseas callers.
When should I call the IRS?
Best times to minimize wait
- Best days: Wednesday through Friday
- Best time: Early morning, right when lines open (7am local time, or 6am ET for international line)
- Avoid: Mondays and Tuesdays (highest volume)
- Avoid: Tax season peak (January–April), Presidents Day weekend, and mid-April
- Avoid: Lunch hours (12pm-2pm ET)
Time zone conversions for international callers
The international taxpayer line (+1-267-941-1000) operates 6am-11pm ET—extended hours for overseas callers.
- UK/Ireland: 11am-4am GMT (6am ET = 11am GMT)
- Central Europe: 12pm-5am CET
- India: 4:30pm-9:30am IST
- Australia (Sydney): 10pm-1pm AEDT
What should I prepare before calling the IRS?
Have these ready before you dial:
Essential information
- SSN or ITIN — For you, spouse, and dependents
- Date of birth
- Filing status — Single, Married Filing Jointly, etc.
- Tax year(s) in question
- Copy of your tax return for the relevant year
- Any IRS notice — Notice number and date
If calling on behalf of someone else
- Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization) or Form 2848 (Power of Attorney)
- For deceased taxpayers: death certificate, Form 56, or court documents
- Tax professionals: PTIN and CAF number
Check online first
Many issues can be resolved at IRS.gov without calling:
- Where's My Refund? — Track refund status
- IRS Online Account — View notices, transcripts, payment history
- Interactive Tax Assistant — Answers to common questions
Summary
The problem: IRS wait times average 30+ minutes. US toll-free numbers aren't free from abroad—carriers charge $1-3/minute. At those rates, one call can cost $30-90.
The solution: VoIP services charge $0.03/minute to US numbers. Some—like DialHard—offer free calls to toll-free numbers with 98% completion rate. Toll-free calls are critical when IRS hold times exceed 30 minutes.
Key numbers:
- Individuals (Form 1040): +1-800-829-1040 (toll-free)
- International Taxpayers: +1-267-941-1000 (extended hours)
- Businesses: +1-800-829-4933 (toll-free)
- Refund Status: +1-800-829-1954 (24/7 automated)
Before you call: Have your SSN/ITIN, filing status, and relevant tax year ready. Check IRS.gov first—many issues can be resolved online. Call early morning ET on Wednesday-Friday for shorter queues.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to call the IRS from abroad?
Carrier rates: $1-3/minute. VoIP rates: $0.01-0.03/minute. If your VoIP service offers free toll-free calls, most IRS numbers (1-800) cost nothing. A 30-minute call costs $30-90 via carrier, or free via VoIP toll-free.
Are US toll-free numbers free to call internationally?
No. US toll-free numbers (1-800, 1-888, etc.) are only free within the US. International callers pay their carrier's international rates. Some VoIP services route toll-free calls for free—DialHard offers 5 free minutes daily with 98% completion rate.
What's the best time to call the IRS from abroad?
Early morning ET when lines open. The international taxpayer line (+1-267-941-1000) operates 6am-11pm ET—extended hours for overseas callers. From the UK, 6am ET = 11am GMT. Avoid Mondays, Tuesdays, and tax season (January-April).
Which IRS number should international callers use?
The international taxpayer line: +1-267-941-1000. It has extended hours (6am-11pm ET) specifically for overseas callers. It's not toll-free, so VoIP services charge ~$0.03/minute. For general tax questions, the main line +1-800-829-1040 is toll-free.
Does the IRS provide interpreter services?
Yes. The IRS offers assistance in over 350 languages through professional interpreters. When you reach an IRS agent, request an interpreter. For Spanish assistance, call +1-800-829-1040 directly. For other languages, call +1-833-553-9895.