IRS Resources
Understanding Tax Transcripts
Understand the different types of IRS tax transcripts, when you may need one, and the easiest ways to request your records.
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Individuals, students, homeowners & businesses
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Get transcript & request forms
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Transcript types, uses & request options
Understanding Your IRS Tax Transcript
An IRS tax transcript is a record of information reported on your federal tax return or maintained in your IRS tax account. It is not the same thing as a photocopy of your actual tax return, but in many situations a transcript provides the information a lender, school, government agency, tax professional, or other authorized organization needs. IRS transcripts are available at no charge.
You may be asked for a tax transcript when:
Applying for a mortgage or other loan
Completing certain financial-aid requirements
Verifying previous income
Preparing a prior-year or amended tax return
Responding to an IRS notice
Reviewing payments or changes made to your tax account
Reconstructing tax records you no longer have
Working with a tax professional on a tax issue
The important part is choosing the right type of transcript, because different transcripts contain different information.
Which Tax Transcript Do You Need?
Tax Return Transcript
A Tax Return Transcript shows most of the line items from your original Form 1040-series federal income tax return as it was filed, along with information from accompanying forms and schedules.
It does not generally show adjustments made after the original return was processed. This is often the transcript requested for mortgage lending and other income-verification purposes. It is available for the current tax year and the three prior tax years.
Best For:
Mortgage applications, financial verification, and situations where someone needs information from your originally filed return.
Record of Account Transcript
The Record of Account Transcript combines information from both the Tax Return Transcript and the Tax Account Transcript, giving you a more complete picture of the original return and subsequent account activity.
It is available for the current year and three prior tax years.
Best For:
Situations where you need both the original return information and later IRS account activity.
Wage and Income Transcript
A Wage and Income Transcript shows information the IRS received from documents such as Forms W-2, 1099, 1098 and 5498.
This can be particularly useful when you are missing income documents and need information to prepare a prior-year return. Wage and income transcripts are generally available for the current and nine prior tax years.
Best For:
Finding income information from employers, banks and other payers when original documents are missing.
Verification of Non-Filing Letter
A Verification of Non-Filing Letter confirms that the IRS has no record of a processed Form 1040-series return for the requested year.
It does not determine whether you were legally required to file a return.
Best For:
Organizations that require proof that no federal income tax return was filed for a particular year.
How to Get Your IRS Tax Transcript
There are several ways to request a transcript. For most taxpayers, the fastest option is through the IRS Individual Online Account.
Option 1 — Get Your Transcript Online
The IRS Individual Online Account allows you to view, download and print available transcripts directly from your account.
This is generally the fastest and easiest method.
Link:
IRS — Get Your Tax Records and Transcripts
Option 2 — Request a Transcript by Mail
If you cannot or prefer not to access your records online, the IRS can mail a Tax Return Transcript or Tax Account Transcript to the address it has on file.
The IRS says mailed transcripts generally arrive within 5–10 calendar days after a successful request.
You may also use the automated transcript service at:
800-908-9946
Option 3 — Submit Form 4506-T
Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, can be used to request several different IRS transcript types, including:
Tax Return Transcript
Tax Account Transcript
Record of Account
Wage and Income Transcript
Verification of Non-Filing Letter
Clickable link:
Transcript vs. Copy of Your Actual Tax Return
One of the most common sources of confusion is the difference between a tax transcript and an actual copy of your filed tax return.
A transcript summarizes tax information maintained by the IRS and is usually sufficient for income verification, mortgage applications and many other purposes.
However, sometimes you may specifically need an exact copy of the return and attachments that were filed with the IRS.
Need an Exact Copy of Your Tax Return?
Use Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, when you need an actual copy rather than a transcript.
The current IRS Form 4506 lists a $30 fee for each return requested. Copies of individual Forms 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ are generally available for seven years after filing.
Clickable link:
IRS Form 4506 — Request for Copy of Tax Return
Need to Provide Tax Information to a Third Party?
This is one area where the information from the client's old website definitely needed updating.
The IRS stopped routine third-party mailing of transcripts requested through Form 4506-T in 2019. A transcript requested with Form 4506-T is mailed only to the taxpayer's address of record. Certain lenders and other authorized organizations can obtain tax information using the IRS Income Verification Express Service (IVES) process.
If a lender, school, accountant or government agency asks you for a transcript, confirm exactly which transcript they require and how they want you to provide it before ordering.
