If you've ever tried to call or write the Internal Revenue Service, you may have experienced extremely long wait times before you reached a representative or received a written response. Since the IRS is responsible for processing tax returns for individuals and corporations, as well as enforcing tax law and answering tax-related questions, the agency's customer service line is often very busy. To avoid frustration when you're trying to reach the IRS, you'll want to know the best way to contact the agency.

Why Contacting the IRS Can Be Difficult

The Government Accountability Office reported that wait times have increased substantially for taxpayers who attempt to call the IRS Help Line. In 2012, individuals had to wait an average of 17 minutes before they were able to speak to a representative. Not surprisingly, many taxpayers never spoke to a representative at all and hung up before a live representative came on the line. That same year, only 68 percent of callers actually spoke with a customer service agent.

The Best Way to Reach the IRS

In years past, individuals could get in contact with the IRS by writing letters and receiving written responses in return. However, due to a lack of funds for agency support, wait times for written letters often exceed more than 45 days. As a result, most taxpayers may prefer to choose another contact method for speaking with an IRS agent. The IRS does not communicate with taxpayers via email, so the best way to reach a representative is to call the Help Line at (800)829-1040.

The Best Time to Contact the IRS

The IRS does not officially state which day and time is best for contacting a representative quickly. However, some agents have suggested that taxpayers call the Help Line early in the morning. In addition, individuals who have contacted the agency during the early tax season have been able to speak to agents faster than those who wait until later in the year. The IRS Help Line is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

If you need to contact the IRS, the best way to reach an agent is to call the agency's Help Line. While there is no guaranteed way to get a representative on the line, calling the Help Line early in the tax season and early in the morning may help you resolve your tax matter quickly.