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Publication 1516›Part A›Introduction and General Information

Sec. 4 Communicating with the IRS

Publication 1516 — Specifications for Electronic Filing of Forms 8596, Information Returns for Federal Contracts · 2026-10-03 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · United States

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 with guidance to essential elements pertaining to technical aspects for the Information Returns (IR) Application for TCC, filing information returns through the FIRE Systems, self-help resources, and referrals to tax law topics at 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)

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  • 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.

The IRS address for FIRE is https://fire.irs.gov/. The address to send a test file electronically is 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.

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▸Contents — Publication 1516 — Specifications for Electronic Filing of Forms 8596, Information Returns for Federal Contracts
Publication 1516 — Specifications for Electronic Filing of Forms 8596, Information Returns for Federal Contracts

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