The main phone number for the Louisiana Department of Revenue is 855-307-3893. It’s a toll-free line staffed Monday through Friday, with an automated menu that routes you to individual income tax, business tax, or collections. Before you dial, gather a few pieces of information: state law bars agents from discussing your account until they’ve confirmed who you are.
What to Have Ready Before You Call
Louisiana treats tax records as confidential under RS 47:1508, and an LDR employee who releases information without proper authorization can face up to two years in prison or a $10,000 fine.1Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Code RS 47-1508 – Confidentiality of Tax Records That’s why the first minute of the call is always identity verification. Without the right details, the agent cannot pull up your file and you’ll be asked to call back.
Have these in front of you:
- Your Social Security Number or EIN.
- The tax year your question involves.
- The Notice or Letter ID from any correspondence you received. It appears at the top of the letter and lets the agent jump straight to the issue.
- A copy of the return in question, in case the agent needs to walk through specific lines.
Best Times to Call
Call volume climbs around Louisiana’s filing deadlines in mid-May and mid-October. Midweek mornings outside those windows tend to move faster. If your matter isn’t urgent, avoid Mondays and the days immediately before and after a deadline.
If Someone Else Is Calling on Your Behalf
LDR will not discuss your account with a spouse, relative, accountant, or attorney unless a Power of Attorney is already on file. That’s Form R-7006, signed by both you and your representative.2Louisiana Department of Revenue. Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative Submit it through LaTAP or by mail before the call, not during. Agents will politely refuse to share anything without it, regardless of who is on the line.
If You Received an Identity Verification Letter
One kind of contact is not handled on the main phone line. If LDR flagged your return and mailed you an identity verification letter, you complete an online quiz rather than calling. The quiz pulls questions tied to the first name listed on the letter, so that person has to be the one who takes it. You’ll need the last four digits of the primary taxpayer’s SSN, the Letter ID from the top of the notice, and your previous year’s Louisiana individual income tax return.3Louisiana Department of Revenue. Identity Verification Quiz
After you pass, e-filed returns take up to 60 days to finish processing and paper returns take 12 to 14 weeks. If you can’t pass the quiz, LDR asks you to mail or fax copies of your federal return (pages 1 and 2), your W-2s and 1099s, a photo ID, and the verification letter to the TRIP unit at P.O. Box 3929, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3929, or by fax to 225-231-6204.3Louisiana Department of Revenue. Identity Verification Quiz
Faster Than a Phone Call: LaTAP
Many things people call about are handled more quickly through the Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point. LaTAP lets you file returns, make payments for free, check refund status, view balances by tax type, and set up a payment plan. It also stores your correspondence history with LDR, so old notices are easy to find.4Louisiana Department of Revenue. Louisiana Department of Revenue To register, follow the LaTAP link on LDR’s homepage under E-File and E-Pay and enter your identifying information.5Louisiana Department of Revenue. How Can I Register for LaTAP Because the portal is available around the clock, it’s the practical option if you can’t call during business hours.
When You Need to Speak With Someone in Person
LDR operates six offices across the state: the Baton Rouge headquarters at 617 North Third Street, plus regional offices in New Orleans, Lafayette, Alexandria, Monroe, and Shreveport.6Louisiana Department of Revenue. Office Locations The New Orleans office at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 800, accepts walk-ins Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Baton Rouge requires an appointment.7Louisiana Department of Revenue. Schedule An Appointment Check LDR’s scheduling page before heading to any of the others, since walk-in availability changes.
Calling About a Balance You Can’t Pay
If you’re calling because you owe more than you can pay, ask about an installment agreement. Setup costs $105, waived if your adjusted gross income is $25,000 or less. Balances under $50,000 can go on an informal plan lasting up to 60 months; $50,000 or more requires a formal agreement with income statements and bank details. Expect a possible 20% down payment and automatic bank draft. You must be current on all other tax filings before LDR will approve a plan, and reinstating a defaulted plan costs $60 on top of catching up.8Legal Information Institute. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 61 I-4919 – Installment Agreement for Payment of Tax
Calling About a Collections Notice
If your debt has already reached collections, 855-307-3893 is still the number to use, and the sooner the better. LDR can garnish wages by sending an order directly to your employer, who then withholds a specified amount from each paycheck until the debt is paid.9Louisiana Department of Revenue. Wage Garnishment The department can also record liens against your property, which cloud title and make selling or refinancing difficult. Contacting LDR or opening a payment plan through LaTAP before enforcement starts is far easier than unwinding a garnishment already in motion.