Publication 5136 — IRS Services Guide

Official source: IRS Forms, Instructions & Publications (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5136.pdf), retrieved 2026-10-03. U.S. Government work (17 U.S.C. § 105).

IRS Services Guide¶

If you need help with	Here’s where to find it on www.irs.gov
General tax law information	• SearchInteractive Tax Assistant, Tax Topics andFrequently Asked Questions to get answers to your tax questions. • Go toIRS.gov/Pub 17, Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals, for information about fling your tax return. • Use your mobile device to access IRSeBooks for instructions and publications. • Understand the Taxpayer Bill Of Rights. • Find tax law information in yourelectronic fling software. • Go to theLet Us Help You page for online tools and resources. If your issue cannot be resolved online, use the toll-free number.
One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act	• Search One, Big, Beautiful Bill for thelatest provisions, news andnotices.
Finding a qualifed tax professional	• SearchIRS.gov/chooseataxpro on IRS.gov to help you locate a qualifed tax preparer. • Learn to recognize red fagswhen choosing a tax professional.
Preparing a federal tax return	Findfree options on IRS.gov or in your community for those who qualify: • Go toIRS.gov/FreeFile to fnd brand name tax software to prepare and e-fle your return for free. You can also fnd Free File Fillable Forms that are available to all taxpayers, regardless of income. • Go toIRS.gov/VITA to fnd no-cost tax help. Select Tax Help on theIRS2Go app, or call 1-800-906-9887 to fnd the nearest location for no-cost tax preparation. The military community may also useMilTax. • Go toIRS.gov/TCE for no-cost help with your taxes, particularly for those who are 60 years of age and older, or call 1-888-227-7669 to fnd the nearest location for free tax preparation. • Tip: UseDirect Deposit when fling your return for a quicker refund. It’s fast and safe.
Determining the appropriate amount of withholding	• Go to theTax Withholding Estimator tool and perform a Paycheck Checkup to see if the correct amount of tax is being withheld.
International tax issues	• Search theInternational Taxpayers page.
An issue that requires face-to- face assistance	• Service is by appointment.Contact Your Local Offce lists locations. Call 844-545-5640 for an appointment. • Click theHelp link at the top of the IRS.gov page.
Getting a transcript, a copy of your tax return or information return documents, and other details about your tax return	• Go toIRS.gov/GetTranscript orOnline Account. • Call the automated transcript toll-free line: 1-800-908-9946. • Mail inForm 4506-T (available on IRS.gov).
Requesting IRS records through Freedom Of Information Act	• SearchFreedom of Information to get FOIA guidelines for requesting IRS records.
Making a tax payment	• Go toIRS.gov/payments for optimal ways to pay including online, by phone or with a mobile device using theIRS2Goapp. If you prefer to make a cash payment, go toPay With Cash.
Having trouble paying a tax bill in full	• Learn your options if you can’t pay what you owe. • Direct Pay with bank account. • Go toIRS.gov/OPAorIRS.gov/payments for an online payment agreement or other options to pay over time; • Go toIRS.gov/OIC to fnd the Offer In Compromise pre-qualifer tool to settle for less than you owe.
Checking on the status of a refund	• Go to IRS.gov/refunds for refund status. • Select Refund Status on the IRS2Go mobile app. • Call the automated refund hotline: 1-800-829-1954.
Checking the status of an amended return	• SearchWhere’s My Amended Return to check status.

Securely accessing and viewing your IRS tax information or determining how much you owe	• Access your Online Account to see important information when preparing to file your tax return, check your refund, view your account, make a payment and much more.
Reconciling advance payments of the premium tax credit	• Go toIRS.gov/aca to determine if you must reconcile advance payments or if you can claim a Premium Tax Credit. • Go toHealthCare.gov for information about theHealth Insurance Marketplace.
Understanding an IRS Notice or Letter	• Searchunderstanding your notice to fnd additional information about your IRS notice or letter.
Getting an Employer Identifcation Number (EIN)	• Go to IRS.gov/EINfor an Online EIN Application. • Available Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time.
Getting an Individual Taxpayer Identifcation Number (ITIN)	• Go toIRS.gov/ITIN to learn more about renewing an expired ITIN and to get an application.
Understanding Identity Theft issues and other tax scams	• SearchIdentity Theft for information and videos. • Learn how to recognize and reporttax scams. • Get anIP PIN as a proactive step to protect yourself from tax-related identity theft.
Obtaining a tax form or publication	• Go toIRS.gov/forms-pubs.
Contacting a local Taxpayer Advocate	• SearchTaxpayer Advocate or call them at 1-877-777-4778 or • TTY/TTD: 1-800-829-4059.
Understanding tax relief for spouses	• Go to IRS.gov for information onInnocent or injured Spouse. • Call toll-free: 1-855-851-2009.
Keeping up with the latest IRS news and information	• Connect with IRSsocial media items for individual taxpayers. • Find the latestIRS news and the most currenttax tips.

If you need help with	Here’s where to find it
General Tax Professional Information	• Go toIRS.gov/for-tax-pros to fnd tools and information.
Handling Identity Theft	• Publication 5199, Tax Preparer Guide to Identity Theft - Tax preparers play a critical role in helpingindividual and business clients who are victims of tax-related identity theft.

If you need help with	Here’s where to find it on www.irs.gov
Getting a Preparer Tax Identifcation Number (PTIN)	• Go toIRS.gov/PTIN to get PTIN requirements and renew or sign up for a PTIN. • Call toll-free: 1-877-613-7846. • International: 1-915-342-5655 (not toll-free). • TTY: 1-877-613-3686.
Submitting authorizations, viewing clients information and acting on behalf of an individual taxpayer	• Go toTax Pro Account.
Getting a Power of Attorney (POA)	• SearchPOA for information on Form 2848 and Instructions.
Checking your POA/TIA paper processing status	• Go toIRS.gov/processingtimes.
Contacting the Practitioner Priority Service	• Call toll-free: 1-866-860-4259 for help with a client account issue.
Keeping up with the latest IRS information affecting tax professionals	• Search “Join e-news” to subscribe toe-News for Tax professionals. • Follow IRS onX (formerly Twitter), Instagram, andFacebook.

Publication 5136 (Rev. 3-2026) Catalog Number 66204E Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service www.irs.gov

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