The Iowa Department of Revenue’s phone number is 515-281-3114, with a toll-free option at 800-367-3388. If your call is about a bill, a payment, or collections, use 866-339-7912 instead. All three lines are staffed Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time, and closed on state holidays.1Iowa Department of Revenue. Iowa Department of Revenue
Which Line to Call
The department splits its incoming calls across three numbers, and picking the right one saves time.
- 515-281-3114 — general questions, local line
- 800-367-3388 — general questions, toll-free
- 866-339-7912 — payments, billing, and collections
The general lines handle most individual and business tax inquiries, including filing questions, refund status, and account balances. If you owe a balance, received a billing notice, or need to set up a payment arrangement, the 866-339-7912 line routes you directly to the collections team.2Iowa Department of Revenue. Contact Iowa Department of Revenue
Hours and Best Times to Call
Phones are open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday. Wait times climb during tax season, particularly March and April, and again in the days right after any filing deadline. Mondays and the first hour after the lines open are the busiest windows. If your question can wait, mid-morning or early afternoon Tuesday through Thursday tends to produce shorter holds.
What to Have Ready Before Calling
Representatives verify your identity before they’ll discuss anything on your account. Gather these before you dial:
- Your Social Security Number, for individual tax questions
- Your Federal Employer Identification Number, for business tax questions
- The tax year or years you’re calling about
- The notice or letter number, if you’re calling about correspondence from the department
Without the identifying number, the representative can’t pull up your account. Without the notice number, they may not be able to find the specific issue on your file.
Calling About a Notice or Letter
When the department mails you a letter, it prints contact information for the examiner or division handling your case. Call that number rather than the general line if you can. The person who answers already has context on your file, which cuts out the transfer and the re-explanation.3Iowa Department of Revenue. Letters from IDR
You only need to respond to a letter if you disagree with it, if the department asked for more information, or if you have a balance due. If you’d rather respond in writing, use the address printed on the notice.3Iowa Department of Revenue. Letters from IDR
When You Don’t Need to Call
A lot of what people call about can be handled through GovConnectIowa, the department’s online portal. After creating an account, you can send secure messages to department staff, make payments, file certain returns, and manage business permits and licenses. To send a message, log in, click the “I Want To” tab, and select “Send a Message” under the Correspondence panel. The portal runs around the clock, so filings and payments aren’t limited to business hours.4Iowa Department of Revenue. GovConnectIowa Help
You also don’t need to call to pay. The department accepts credit cards, debit cards, ACH transfers, checks, money orders, and cash paid in person at the Des Moines office. Online payments go through GovConnectIowa. Note one limit: individual income tax cannot be paid by ACH credit. ACH credit is only available for withholding, sales and use, water service excise, fuel, and corporate income taxes, and those transactions have to be initiated the day before the due date.5Iowa Department of Revenue. EasyPay Iowa
For general written questions, or to verify whether a message you received is really from the department, you can email idr@iowa.gov. The office itself is at the Hoover State Office Building, First Floor, 1305 E. Walnut St., Des Moines, IA 50319, and walk-in visits are available during regular business hours.1Iowa Department of Revenue. Iowa Department of Revenue6Iowa Department of Revenue. Report Fraud and Identity Theft
Watch for Phone Scams
Scammers impersonate Iowa tax officials by phone, email, and letter. A real call from the department will identify the agency by name. The department will never threaten immediate arrest over the phone or demand payment by gift card or wire transfer. If you get a suspicious call, don’t share personal information, don’t press buttons or follow automated prompts, and hang up. To check whether a contact was legitimate, call 515-281-3114 or email idr@iowa.gov.6Iowa Department of Revenue. Report Fraud and Identity Theft