What Are Tax Transcripts and How Do You Get Them?

Tax transcripts are official documents from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that summarize your tax information. These records provide a comprehensive overview of your tax history, serving as a reliable source for verifying income, filing status, and other tax details for various personal and financial situations.

Understanding Tax Transcripts

The IRS offers several types of tax transcripts.
The Return Transcript displays most line items from your original Form 1040-series tax return, including any accompanying forms and schedules. It does not reflect changes made after the initial filing and is widely accepted by lending institutions.

The Account Transcript provides a summary of your tax account activity, detailing filing status, taxable income, payment types, and any adjustments made by you or the IRS after your return was filed. It can confirm if estimated tax payments were applied correctly.
The Record of Account Transcript combines the data found in both the Return Transcript and the Account Transcript.

The Wage and Income Transcript presents information from sources such as Forms W-2, 1099, 1098, and 5498. This transcript is useful for verifying employment or reconstructing income if original documents are lost.
The Verification of Non-filing Letter proves that no Form 1040-series tax return was processed for a specific tax year.

Common Uses of Tax Transcripts

Tax transcripts are often required for financial and administrative purposes. Individuals need these documents when applying for mortgages, auto loans, or other forms of credit, as lenders use them to verify income and financial stability. They are also important for student financial aid applications, such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), to confirm reported income.

Transcripts help verify income for government benefit applications or resolve issues related to IRS notices and audits. They provide a summary of past tax filings, which help prepare current or future tax returns. In cases of identity theft, a tax transcript can help resolve discrepancies and confirm legitimate tax filings.

Requesting Your Tax Transcripts: Information and Preparation

Before requesting a tax transcript, gather personal information. You will need your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), date of birth, and your current mailing address. Also provide your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from your last filed tax return, as this is often used for identity verification.

Transcripts can be requested online, by mail, or by phone. For mail requests, complete IRS Form 4506-T or Form 4506T-EZ. These forms require the address on file with the IRS, typically from your most recently filed tax return. For online requests, provide a financial account number (such as from a credit card, mortgage, or car loan) and have a mobile phone for text message identity verification.

How to Get Your Tax Transcripts: The Request Process

The IRS offers several methods to obtain your tax transcripts. For immediate access, the “Get Transcript Online” tool on the IRS website allows instant viewing, printing, or downloading of transcripts. This process involves creating or logging into an IRS online account, passing identity verification, and selecting the desired transcript type and tax year. Identity verification for online access often utilizes a third-party service, requiring a photo of an identity document and a selfie.

To receive your transcript by mail, use the “Get Transcript by Mail” option on the IRS website or submit a completed Form 4506-T or Form 4506T-EZ. For mail requests, the transcript is typically sent to the address the IRS has on file for you, arriving within 5 to 10 calendar days after the IRS receives your request. The Form 4506-T instructions provide the mailing address, which varies by state.

Alternatively, request certain transcripts by calling the IRS automated phone transcript service at 1-800-908-9946. Provide your SSN and the street address from your last tax return during the call. Transcripts requested by phone are also typically delivered by mail within 5 to 10 days. Electronic transcripts are usually available within 2-3 weeks of filing, while paper-filed returns may take 6-8 weeks.