How to Avoid Long IRS Hold Times During Tax Season
Why IRS Hold Times Are So Long During Tax Season
During peak filing season, millions of taxpayers contact the IRS regarding:
- Refund status
- Missing tax documents
- Identity verification notices
- Payment plans
- Balances owed
- Transcript requests
The IRS simply does not have the staffing capacity to handle peak demand efficiently — especially around major filing deadlines and holidays.
That is why using IRS self-service tools is often faster and more effective.
Best Ways to Avoid Calling the IRS
1. Create an IRS Individual Online Account
One of the most powerful ways to skip IRS hold times is by creating an IRS Individual Online Account.
With an online account, you can:
- Access wage and income transcripts
- View tax return transcripts
- Retrieve your adjusted gross income (AGI)
- See balances owed
- Make payments or schedule future payments
- Request or retrieve your Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)
- Approve and sign authorizations for your tax professional
For many taxpayers, this eliminates the need to call the IRS entirely.
Pro Tip: If you plan to work with a tax professional, having your online account set up makes the process much smoother.
2. Check Your Refund Status Online (Instead of Calling)
Do not call the IRS to check your refund.
Use Where’s My Refund? on IRS.gov.
This tool:
- Updates once per day (overnight)
- Shows refund status within 24 hours of IRS acceptance for e-filed returns
- Provides estimated deposit dates
If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), refunds are typically updated by late February.
Calling the IRS will not speed up your refund.
3. File Electronically and Choose Direct Deposit
The fastest way to receive your refund — and avoid IRS issues — is to:
- File electronically
- Choose direct deposit
Electronic filing reduces errors, speeds processing, and lowers the risk of delayed or lost refunds.
The IRS continues transitioning toward fully electronic processing, making digital filing the most efficient option.
4. Use the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant
If you have general tax questions about:
- Filing status
- Credit eligibility
- Deduction qualifications
- Income taxability
The IRS Interactive Tax Assistant can provide answers without waiting on hold.
For simple questions, this tool can save significant time.
When IRS Online Tools Are Not Enough
While IRS self-service tools are helpful, they do not solve everything.\
You should consider professional help if you are dealing with:
- IRS notices you do not understand
- Wage garnishments
- Bank levies
- Back taxes owed
- Unfiled returns
- Identity verification delays
- Payment plan complications
- Audit correspondence
These situations often require direct communication with the IRS — and mistakes can make matters worse.
Why Hiring a Tax Professional Saves You Time (and Stress)
At Arch Tax, we handle IRS matters for our clients so they do not have to:
- Sit on hold for hours
- Navigate confusing IRS departments
- Say the wrong thing during collection conversations
- Miss important deadlines
We work through professional channels and understand how to communicate effectively with the IRS.
Most importantly, we focus on protecting you while working toward a resolution.
Final Thoughts: Skip the Hold Music
Before you call the IRS this tax season, explore IRS.gov’s online tools. Many issues can be resolved faster online.
However, if your situation is complex — or you simply do not want to deal with the IRS yourself — that is where we come in.
Ready to Stop Dealing with the IRS on Your Own?
If you are facing tax problems or IRS notices, schedule a consultation with Arch Tax today.
We will review your situation, explain your options clearly, and help you move forward with confidence.
Contact Arch Tax today and let us handle the IRS for you.
