Anyone have the correct IRS phone number and VRU combination to reach a live IRS rep?

[dlt113]

I mailed my son's return on Feb 27th to Kansas City processing center with no refund received. That's 7 weeks ago.   I have checked multiple days using  Where's my Refund phone number. The VRU response does not

recognize the SSAN/file status/refund amount entered.  I know for a fact it's correct.  Of course the IRS system just hangs up on you afterwards.  No option to speak with a rep.   I am now worried the good ole USPS may have lost it.

I called [phone number removed] which is supposed to lead you to a live person, but it does not.  Or maybe I just have not cracked the secret VRU combination.     By the way, his state taxes mailed the same day have processed long ago.

Any help with how to reach a real person would be helpful.

[xmasbaby0]

MAILED RETURNS

Per the IRS:

COVID-19 Mail Processing Delays

It’s taking us longer to process mailed documents including:

• Paper tax returns, and
• All tax return related correspondence.

We are processing all mail in the order we received it.

Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS.

 It can take 3-4 weeks  (or longer since the IRS is backlogged) for anything to show up on the IRS site when you mail a tax return.  Expect 6-8 weeks for complete processing of a mailed return.

If  you mail a tax return (or a payment) to the IRS, it is a good idea to use a mailing service that will track it like UPS or certified mail so you will know it was received.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s. 

TurboTax will not know anything about your mailed return, and will continue to show “Ready to Mail” on your account.  TurboTax will not know that you put your tax return in an envelope and took it to a mailbox.  TurboTax does not get updates on mailed  (or e-filed) returns.

When the IRS opens its mail and begins to process mailed returns you can check the status on the IRS site. https://www.irs.gov/refunds

State returns have to be mailed to the state.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund

[dlt113]

Thank you but the reply does not answer the basic question.   How do you reach a live human being at the IRS?

I found this master list of IRS phone number online and will give a try during normal business hours.

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/taxes/irs-phone-number-list-customer-service

[xmasbaby0]

To call the IRS:IRS:  800-829-1040  hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Mon-Fri

Listen to each menu before making the selection.

First choose your language. Press 1 for English.

Then do NOT choose the first choice re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.

Instead, press 2 for "personal income tax".

Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".  

Then press 3 "for all other questions."

Then press 2 "for all other questions."  It should then transfer you to an agent.

[dlt113]

Thank you for the VRU numbers.   By the way when you get to the end of entering the combination of VRU options it dumps you into another menu of 7 options.   If you select none it will eventually try to forward you to a live person.

However!, when trying to reach a live person at 8am on Monday morning the automate voice tells you there are too many calls (ie., IRS is too busy to talk to you) and it hangs up instead of giving you the option to wait for next available.   This is our "friendly" IRS folks.  

So here I am with a mailed return on Feb 27th (~8 wks).  The "WhereMyRefund" site acts like it has no knowledge of my tax filing and I can't get a hold of anyone to get a true status:  Does the IRS truly have no record of my filing, or is the tax filing still in a queue?   Do I file again to be safe...well IRS says not to do that...but they will have no qualm to penalize me if, in fact, the filing never arrive or was lost by USPS or the IRS.   Frustrating. Guess I will keep trying the VRU with fingers crossed.

[kcreid1981]

Most of these options worked for me except I had to hit a few extras. I called [phone number removed] pressed 1 for English then after that 2, 1, 3, 2, 2, 4 and it put me to the que which was full and said to call back later but it worked! Just have to keep calling till I get thru.