Why is calling the IRS from abroad so hard?
Three things combine to make it painful:
- The toll-free trap. A 1-800 IRS number isn't free from abroad. Traditional carriers charge high per-minute rates, turning a long hold into a shockingly expensive phone bill.
- Long waits. IRS lines are notoriously busy—average waits often exceed 30 minutes, and longer in peak season. Every minute on hold with a carrier costs money.
- Getting connected at all. A reliable, affordable way to call from overseas is a hurdle on its own. You want something that works from any country, on any device, with no special phone or SIM.
DialHard answers all three: toll-free IRS lines are free, you're billed nothing while on hold, and you call straight from a browser anywhere in the world.
IRS call planner
Pick your situation to see the right number, the cost with DialHard, the line's hours, and a checklist of what to prepare.
For individual taxpayers (Form 1040)
Call prep checklist
- Your Social Security Number (SSN) or ITIN, and date of birth.
- The same information for your spouse if you filed jointly.
- Your filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, and so on).
- A copy of the tax return you're calling about.
- Any IRS notice or letter you've received.
For international taxpayers
Call prep checklist
- Your Social Security Number (SSN) or ITIN.
- Access to your tax records and prior-year returns.
- Any IRS notices or correspondence you've received.
- A valid Power of Attorney (Form 2848) if you're calling for someone else.
- The time difference, so you call within operating hours.
For business tax questions
Call prep checklist
- Your Employer Identification Number (EIN).
- A copy of the business tax form you're calling about (941, 1120, and so on).
- Any IRS notice or letter the business received.
- Authorization to speak on behalf of the business.
- Your business details (name and address).
How much does an IRS call from abroad cost?
A one-hour call to the IRS—hold time included—looks very different depending on how you connect:
| A 60-minute call | DialHard | Typical mobile carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Toll-free line (1-800) | Free | ~$180 |
| International line | ~$1.80 | ~$180 |
Toll-free IRS lines stay free with DialHard the whole time you're on hold. At a typical carrier's international rate (around $3/minute), the same hour runs about $180.
Frequently asked questions
Is DialHard secure for discussing sensitive tax info?
Yes. DialHard uses bank-grade TLS encryption for all communications, the content of your calls is never stored, and the platform follows strict PCI DSS security standards—so your sensitive information stays protected.
Will the IRS know I'm calling from a web service?
No. To the IRS, your call appears to come from a standard phone number. The technology you use to connect is transparent to them and has no effect on how your call is handled—DialHard connects to regular telephone networks.
Do my DialHard calling credits expire?
They almost never do. Your credits stay active as long as you make at least one call—to any destination—within a 12-month period. Any call, however short, resets the timer for another year. There are no monthly fees or subscriptions.
What happens if my call drops?
If a call disconnects because of an issue on DialHard's side, the credit used for that call is typically refunded to your account automatically, so you don't pay for technical glitches.
Start calling today
Calls run in your browser — no app, and nothing to install on the other end either.