Sec. 4 Communicating with the IRS — 0925 Publ 1187 (PDF)

The Technical Services Operation (TSO) is available to issuers, transmitters, and employers via the IRS Automated Chatbot/Live chat feature and at the numbers listed below. When you call, you’ll be provided guidance to essential elements pertaining to technical aspects for the new Information Returns (IR) Application for TCC, filing information returns through the FIRE Systems, self-help resources, and referrals to tax law topics on IRS.gov. Below are some examples of essential elements:

Form identification
How to obtain a form
Related publications for a form or topic
Filing information returns electronically
FIRE file status information and guidance

Contact TSO Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET. Listen to all options before making your selection .

866-455-7438 (toll-free)
304-263-8700 (International) (Not toll-free)
Deaf or hard of hearing customers may call any of our toll-free numbers using their choice

of relay service.

Use the IRS Automated Chatbot/Live chat feature by visiting Filing Information Returns Electronically (FIRE). Click the Chat bubble in the bottom right corner.

Chatbot is available 24/7.
Escalation to live chat is available Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. E.T.
Get answers to your questions about transmitter control codes and filing information returns

electronically.

For account-specific questions, you need an IRS (ID.me) account.

To send files using the FIRE System go to https://fire.irs.gov/. To send test file(s) using the FIRE Test System go to https://fire.test.irs.gov/.

Caution : Under no circumstance should actual live data be transmitted through the FIRE Test System.

Questions regarding the filing of information returns and comments/suggestions regarding this publication can be emailed to fire@irs.gov. When you send emails concerning specific file information, include the company name and the electronic filename or Transmitter Control Code (TCC). Don’t include tax identification numbers (TINs) or attachments in email correspondence because electronic mail is not secure.

Note: This call site does not answer tax law questions concerning the requirements for withholding of tax on payments under Chapter 3 or Chapter 4. See Instructions for Form 1042-S for additional information.