What Is irs.gov and What Can You Do on the Site?

Updated

irs.gov is the official website of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the U.S. federal tax agency. You can use it to file and pay taxes, check your refund status, get tax forms and transcripts, and manage tax debt. Because it is a U.S. government site, it is the authoritative place to verify federal tax information and complete tax tasks online. The site serves individuals, businesses, tax professionals, tax-exempt organizations, and government entities, each with its own entry point.

Who the Site Is For

The IRS organizes its services by audience. The main navigation lists these groups:

  • Individuals — personal filing, refunds, records, and identity protection
  • Businesses — employer IDs, business filing, and payments
  • Tax professionals — tools and resources for preparers
  • Tax-exempt organizations — filing and compliance for exempt entities
  • Government entities — federal, state, and local tax matters

If you are filing a personal return or tracking a refund, start from the Individuals section.

Core Tasks You Can Complete

Create an IRS account

An Individual, Business, or Tax Pro Account lets you access and manage tax information in one place. From the account you can view refund status, tax records, payments, and notifications. The site also offers the official IRS app, which provides the same functions: tax records, refund status, payments, balance, and opt-in digital notices.

Check refund status and get records

Refund status and tax records (including return transcripts for current and prior years) are available through your account. If you prefer not to sign in, you can request a transcript by mail.

Make payments and handle tax debt

The Payments section covers making a payment, applying for a payment plan, and other options to pay a tax debt. A separate tax debt help tool asks a few questions and then shows your options to resolve a debt.

File and amend returns

You can explore free filing options through IRS Free File, submit an amended return to fix a mistake, and check the status of an amended return.

Get an Employer ID Number (EIN)

Businesses can get an EIN free and directly from the IRS in minutes.

Manage withholding

The Tax Withholding Estimator helps you check the amount of tax you want withheld from your pay.

Protect your identity

An Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) is a six-digit number that prevents someone else from filing a return with your Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number. It is known only to you and the IRS and helps verify your identity on electronic or paper returns. You can get one by signing in or creating an account, by application, or in person; you can also retrieve or reissue an existing PIN.

Report scams and fraud

The site explains how to report suspected tax scams, fraud, or identity theft, and how to tell whether a contact is really from the IRS.

How to Get Started

  1. Decide which audience applies to you (most first-time visitors are individuals).
  2. Create or sign in to an IRS account to unlock records, payments, and notifications.
  3. Use the search box for specific tasks, forms, and answers — for example, searching "Form 1040" or "payment plan."
  4. For questions that need a person, use the contact page to reach the IRS by phone (available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time) or in person.

What to Keep in Mind

  • The site is a government resource, so it is the right place to confirm forms, deadlines, and procedures rather than relying on third-party summaries.
  • Some tasks require an account; others, such as requesting a transcript by mail, do not.
  • The homepage highlights current programs and notices, so check it for time-sensitive items before starting a task.

In short, irs.gov is where you go to handle U.S. federal tax obligations directly — from filing and paying to fixing mistakes and protecting your identity — and to verify that tax information you see elsewhere is accurate.