IRS warns of call center spike during 2026 filing season

The IRS warned of a likely surge in call center demand around Presidents Day and said Presidents Day week is historically one of the busiest of the filing season. The agency pointed people to online tools on the Let Us Help You page on IRS.gov and described features of Individual Online Accounts and other self‑service resources.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued a notice that calls to its phone lines often increase around Presidents Day and that this coming Presidents Day week is historically one of the busiest periods of the filing season. The agency said taxpayers can find answers through online resources available on IRS.gov and that the 2026 season is expected to be busier than last year. Key details: - The IRS announced the 2026 filing season on Jan. 26, 2026, and said it expects about 164 million individual income tax returns this year, with most filed electronically. Last year the agency expected more than 140 million returns. - The IRS warned of increased call center demand around the Presidents Day holiday on Feb. 16 and described that calls to IRS phone lines often spike during that week. - The agency directed people to the Let Us Help You page on IRS.gov for 24/7 online tools covering refunds, amended returns, payments, notices, and identity verification. - Through an Individual Online Account, taxpayers can view adjusted gross income and transcripts, enroll in or retrieve an IP PIN, and make or cancel payments, according to the IRS. - The IRS reiterated that filing electronically and using direct deposit is the fastest and safest way to receive a refund, and noted that the Treasury began phasing out paper refund checks on Sept. 30, 2025, under Executive Order 14247. - Other online resources listed include the Interactive Tax Assistant for common questions, Where's My Refund? for daily refund status updates (generally within 24 hours of IRS acceptance of an e-filed current-year return), and guidance noting that early EITC and Additional Child Tax Credit filers typically see updates by Feb. 21. The site also references no-cost Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs and pages about choosing a preparer and avoiding unethical 'ghost' return preparers. Summary: The IRS projects a heavier filing season and has warned that Presidents Day week often brings a surge in phone calls to its centers. The agency has pointed to multiple online tools and account features on IRS.gov as available resources; Undetermined at this time.