IRS 2290 Phone Number: When to Call and Why
If you are trying to reach the IRS about Heavy Vehicle Use Tax, here are the phone numbers people use most for Form 2290 issues, plus clear guidance on when a call to the IRS is necessary and when your e‑file provider can resolve it faster.
| Purpose | Phone number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line | 800-829-4933 | General business tax help, EIN and name control issues, notices related to Form 2290. Check current hours on the IRS Telephone Assistance page. |
| IRS Excise and Form 2290 help | 866-699-4096 | Excise tax and 2290-related questions, including e-file assistance. |
| International (not toll-free) | 267-941-1000 | Call from outside the United States. |
| TTY/TDD (hearing impaired) | 800-829-4059 | Telephone assistance with TTY/TDD. |
Important: You cannot file Form 2290 by phone. To receive a stamped Schedule 1 quickly, e-file through an IRS-authorized provider like Simple Form 2290.
When to call the IRS about Form 2290
Call the IRS if you are dealing with account-level issues that only the IRS can resolve or confirm. Common situations include:
- Your return keeps rejecting due to an EIN and name mismatch, and you need the correct IRS name control or to confirm the legal name on file.
- Your EIN is new and not recognized in e-file systems, and you want to confirm its activation status. New EINs can take days to populate across IRS systems.
- A payment issue requires tracing, for example an Electronic Funds Withdrawal did not debit or posted twice, or you need to confirm whether an EFTPS payment was applied to the correct tax period.
- You received an IRS notice about penalties, interest, or missing filing for a specific vehicle or tax year, and you need to discuss abatement or next steps.
- You need to confirm how a prior year credit or a destroyed or stolen vehicle credit should be applied, or you want a status update on a refund claim filed on Form 8849 (Schedule 6).
- You changed your business entity name or mailing address and want to verify IRS records before filing your 2290. Permanent record changes are done with IRS forms, but the IRS can confirm your current account profile.
- You are calling from outside the United States and need IRS assistance specific to your account or a notice.
For general how-to questions, corrections, or rejections tied to data you enter on the return, your IRS-authorized e-file provider is usually the faster first call.
When your e-file provider can solve it faster
Reach out to your provider first when the issue involves preparing or correcting the return itself. Simple Form 2290 can help you:
- File a free VIN correction for a previously filed 2290 if you mistyped a VIN. See our step-by-step guide to VIN correction.
- File an amendment for an increase in taxable gross weight or when a suspended vehicle exceeds the mileage limit. Learn more about 2290 amendments.
- Retrieve a lost or misplaced stamped Schedule 1 from your dashboard, or resend it to a DMV, insurer, or lienholder.
- Fix common e-file rejects, for example date format, FUM selection, VIN checksum, or e-signature issues, then resubmit quickly.
- Submit a new filing or a corrected filing to get your Schedule 1 in minutes, instead of waiting on paper mail. If you are brand new to 2290, start with our guide on how to file Form 2290.
If your return is rejecting because your EIN or name does not match IRS records, the only remedy is to correct the business identity to match the IRS exactly, or call the IRS to verify the name control on file.
What to have ready before you call the IRS
Having complete information at hand shortens the call and increases the odds of a same‑call resolution.
- EIN and exact legal business name as recorded with the IRS
- Business address and a callback phone number
- The tax period and First Used Month you are calling about, for example tax year 2024 to 2025, first used month July
- Vehicle details, especially VINs and taxable gross weight category
- A copy of your latest stamped Schedule 1 or the e-file acknowledgement, if available
- Payment details, for example EFTPS confirmation numbers or the last 4 digits of the account used for Electronic Funds Withdrawal
- Any IRS notice number and letter date shown on the letter you received
- Authorization if you are not the owner, for example Form 8821 or Form 2848 on file with the IRS
Pro tip, spell out your business name and VINs clearly and confirm the tax period being discussed. That prevents misapplied payments and saves you a second call.
IRS vs. e-file provider, who to contact first
Use this quick decision guide to avoid long hold times and get resolution faster.
| Situation | Best first contact | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Name control mismatch, EIN not found in IRS systems | IRS | Only the IRS can confirm or correct account identity details. |
| You need to amend a weight category or mileage exceeded status | E-file provider | It is a new or amended filing. We guide you through the correct amendment and transmit it securely. |
| VIN typo on a previously filed return | E-file provider | File a VIN correction electronically and get an updated Schedule 1 fast. |
| You received a penalty or balance due notice | IRS | The notice is on your IRS account. Discuss abatement or payment options with the IRS. |
| Payment posted twice or did not debit | IRS | Payment tracing and application can only be done by the IRS. |
| You need a fast Schedule 1 for registration | E-file provider | E-file returns produce a stamped Schedule 1 within minutes after acceptance. |
| Refund or credit status on Form 8849 | IRS | The IRS controls refund review and timing. |
How to reach the right IRS resource
- Start with the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. Follow prompts for business taxes and excise tax or Form 2290.
- If you specifically need excise help for 2290, try 866-699-4096.
- Calling from outside the United States, use 267-941-1000. For TTY/TDD assistance, use 800-829-4059.
- Check current hours and any seasonal updates on the IRS Telephone Assistance page before you call.
Peak HVUT season is July and August, which can mean longer hold times. Calling early in the day, and avoiding Mondays and the first business day after a holiday, often helps.
Quick answers to common Form 2290 call topics
- You must have an EIN to file Form 2290. An SSN is not accepted for 2290. If you need an EIN, you can apply online with the IRS. See, Apply for an EIN.
- New EINs can take time to appear in e-file systems. If your EIN was just issued, wait until the IRS systems fully recognize it before you e-file, or call the IRS to confirm status if needed.
- The fastest way to get a stamped Schedule 1 is to e-file. Paper mailing takes weeks, plus mail time. If you must mail, verify the correct IRS address on our mailing guide: Form 2290 mailing address. For official IRS instructions and updates, see About Form 2290.
- If you overpaid or paid for the wrong vehicle, you typically request a refund or credit using Form 8849, not by phone. Our guide explains how here, Form 2290 refund.
Avoid the call, file or fix it online in minutes
As an IRS-authorized provider, Simple Form 2290 is built to resolve most 2290 needs without a phone call to the IRS.
What you can do in our portal today:
- File Form 2290 for one truck or a full fleet with a guided, step-by-step flow
- Get your stamped Schedule 1 within minutes of IRS acceptance, stored in your dashboard
- Submit VIN corrections and the most common amendments online
- Import vehicles in bulk, store data securely, and retrieve prior-year filings instantly
- Get support from real people, in English or Spanish, when you need it
New to 2290, start with these helpful articles:
Compliance reminder
- The Form 2290 tax period runs from July 1 to June 30. Your return is due by the last day of the month after the vehicle’s First Used Month. For example, trucks first used in July are due by the end of August.
- Keep your stamped Schedule 1 for at least three years. Your DMV, insurer, or lienholder may request it at any time.
- If you claim suspended status for low mileage, track miles carefully. If you exceed the limit during the period, you must file an amendment and pay the tax.
Final word
If you need IRS account help for 2290, use the phone numbers above and have your EIN, tax period, and VINs ready. For nearly everything else, especially filing a new 2290, correcting a VIN, amending weight, or getting a Schedule 1 fast, e-file with Simple Form 2290 and get back on the road with confidence.
For official instructions and current contact options, see the IRS pages for About Form 2290 and Telephone Assistance. Numbers and hours can change, so always verify on IRS.gov if you are unsure.
