The IRS international phone number is `+1 267-941-1000` (International Taxpayer Service Call Center, Philadelphia). Hours are Monday, Friday 06:00-23:00 US Eastern. The domestic `1-800-829-1040` line does not work from abroad. Structured details and related links live on the [IRS from abroad](/call-irs-from-abroad) page.
The number that works
- ›`+1 267-941-1000`, International Taxpayer Service (account questions for individuals and businesses abroad)
- ›`+1 515-564-6827`, Taxpayer Advocate Service for taxpayers living abroad
- ›`+1 512-416-7750`, IRS e-Help Desk for tax pros / software (not general account work)
- ›`+1 800-829-1040`, domestic only (US, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands)
Official contact guidance: [IRS international offices](https://www.irs.gov/help/contact-my-local-office-internationally).
Why the familiar 1-800 fails
US embassy walk-in IRS assistance ended in 2015. The remaining path for most overseas taxpayers is the Philadelphia international line, a paid US geographic number, not a toll-free service. Dialing `1-800-829-1040` from a foreign carrier typically rings out, drops, or plays an “cannot be completed” recording with no IRS ticket created.
What the international line handles
Useful for:
- ›Amended return (Form 1040-X) status
- ›Balance due, payment plans, international wire questions
- ›ITIN (Form W-7) follow-up
- ›Form 2555 / foreign earned income exclusion eligibility questions
- ›Notice and transcript issues when living abroad
- ›Refund tracing when a foreign bank returned a deposit
Complex planning questions get referred elsewhere. Have identity data ready before the menu finishes.
What to prepare
- ›Full SSN or ITIN
- ›Prior-year adjusted gross income (identity verification)
- ›Tax year and any IRS notice number
- ›Date Form 1040-X was mailed, if relevant
- ›Foreign address on file
If an agent says the account cannot be discussed, identity verification failed, hang up and call back with prior-year AGI in hand.
Best windows and hold reality
Shortest queue: 06:00-08:00 US Eastern (line opens at 06:00; the queue builds for ~90 minutes). That is 11:00-13:00 UK time in winter and 12:00-14:00 CET.
Avoid Mondays, the day after US federal holidays, and mid-January through 15 April (US tax season), when holds often exceed 60 minutes.
The automated menu needs clean DTMF. Some softphone routes deliver touch-tones poorly and reset the call.
What it costs
Three common routes from abroad:
- ›Local mobile / roaming to `+1 267-941-1000`, often $1-$3+/min
- ›Hotel phone, usually worst
- ›Browser-to-phone, US destinations on [rates](/rates) are typically a few cents per minute
If roaming already includes cheap US calls, use the handset. Browser-to-phone is for the case where it does not. Related patterns: [government offices from abroad](/call-government-office-from-abroad) and [SSA from abroad](/call-social-security-from-abroad).
Online options: [IRS online account](https://www.irs.gov/account) and Live Chat (same 06:00-23:00 ET window) can handle some amended-return and transcript tasks without a phone call.
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FAQs
What is the IRS international phone number?
`+1 267-941-1000`, Monday, Friday 06:00-23:00 US Eastern. It is paid, not toll-free.
Can the IRS be called toll-free from abroad?
No. `1-800-829-1040` is blocked outside the US, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. There is no IRS international toll-free equivalent.
What documents are required before calling?
SSN or ITIN, prior-year AGI, the tax year, and any notice number. For amended returns, also the mailing date of Form 1040-X.
What happens if the regular IRS toll-free number is dialed from abroad?
The call fails without creating an IRS record. Use `+1 267-941-1000` instead.