How to Get Your IRS Tax Transcript: Online, by Mail & by Phone

Why You Might Need a Tax Transcript

An IRS tax transcript is a computer-generated summary of your tax return information. It is not a copy of your actual return — that would require Form 4506 (which costs $43 per return). A transcript is a free, concise record of specific tax data that the IRS has on file for you.

Common reasons for needing an IRS tax transcript include:

• Mortgage applications: Lenders typically require tax return transcripts to verify income for home loan approvals
• Student loan applications: The FAFSA and other financial aid applications may require transcript information to verify income
• Tax return preparation: If you lost your copy of a prior year return, a transcript can help you reconstruct income and deduction information
• Identity verification: The IRS may require a transcript to verify your identity in certain situations
• Amending a return: If you need to amend a prior year return, a transcript provides the information you reported
• IRS correspondence: Responding to an IRS notice often requires reviewing your transcript to understand what the IRS has on file
• Proof of non-filing: If you did not file a return but need to prove that to an agency, the Verification of Non-Filing transcript serves this purpose
• Tax planning: Reviewing prior year transcripts helps with tax planning and estimating future liabilities

Tax transcripts are available for the current tax year and up to three prior tax years (six years for Wage and Income transcripts). The fastest way to get a transcript is through the Get Transcript Online portal on IRS.gov, which provides instant access after identity verification.

If you are preparing your current year tax return and need prior year information, use our tax refund calculator to estimate your current year refund after reviewing your transcript data.

Get Transcript Online Tool

The Get Transcript Online tool on IRS.gov is the fastest way to access your IRS tax transcripts. This tool provides instant access to all five transcript types — Tax Return, Tax Account, Record of Account, Wage and Income, and Verification of Non-Filing — for the current year and up to three prior years.

How to use Get Transcript Online:

1. Visit IRS.gov and navigate to the "Get Transcript" page, or go directly to the Get Transcript Online portal
2. Verify your identity using ID.me, the IRS's identity verification partner. You will need:
   • A valid email address
   • A valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
   • Your Social Security number
   • Access to a smartphone or computer with a camera for the verification selfie
3. Select the transcript type you need from the available options
4. Choose the tax year you need — you can access transcripts for the current year and three prior years
5. View, download, or print your transcript instantly as a PDF

Once you have an ID.me account, subsequent visits are much faster — you simply log in and select your transcripts. The online tool is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What you need for ID.me verification:

• A smartphone or computer with a webcam
• A valid driver's license, passport, or state-issued ID
• Your Social Security number
• Phone number for two-factor authentication
• Email address for account creation

The ID.me verification process typically takes 5-10 minutes for new users. The IRS adopted ID.me in 2022 to enhance security and prevent identity theft related to transcript access. This replaced the previous system that required a credit card, mortgage, or auto loan for verification.

If you cannot pass ID.me verification (for example, if you do not have a smartphone or photo ID), you can still get transcripts by mail using the Get Transcript by Mail option or by calling 800-908-9946.

Get Transcript by Mail

The Get Transcript by Mail option is available for taxpayers who cannot or prefer not to use the online system. This method automatically sends your transcript to the address the IRS has on file for you — which means it must match the address on your most recent tax return.

How to order by mail:

1. Use the Get Transcript by Mail tool on IRS.gov — you will need your SSN, date of birth, filing status, and mailing address as shown on your last return
2. Call 800-908-9946 — the IRS's automated transcript ordering line
3. File Form 4506-T or Form 4506-T-EZ (Simplored Request for Transcript of Tax Return) by mail or fax to the IRS

Delivery time: Transcripts ordered by mail typically arrive within 5 to 10 calendar days from the order date. This includes 5-7 days for IRS processing plus standard USPS mail delivery.

Address matching: The IRS will only mail transcripts to the address on your most recently filed tax return. If you have moved since filing your last return, update your address with the IRS first by filing Form 8822 (Change of Address) before requesting a transcript by mail.

What you can order:

• Tax Return Transcript (for the current year and up to 3 prior years)
• Tax Account Transcript (for the current year and up to 3 prior years)
• Wage and Income Transcript (for the current year and up to 6 prior years)
• Verification of Non-Filing (for the current year and up to 3 prior years)

Security note: The IRS does not send transcripts via email. Any email claiming to contain an IRS transcript is a phishing scam. Always access transcripts through the official IRS.gov website, the IRS2Go app, or by mail.

If you need transcripts urgently, the online method is significantly faster. However, for non-urgent requests or for taxpayers without internet access, the mail option remains a reliable alternative.

IRS2Go Mobile App

The IRS2Go mobile app allows you to request tax transcripts directly from your smartphone or tablet. The app is available for free on both iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play) devices.

How to use IRS2Go for transcripts:

1. Download the IRS2Go app from your device's app store
2. Select the "Get Transcript" option from the main menu
3. Verify your identity — the app will guide you through the same ID.me verification process used for the online tool
4. Select your transcript type and tax year — you can choose from all five transcript types
5. View the transcript directly on your device or save it as a PDF

The IRS2Go app provides the same instant access as the desktop Get Transcript Online tool. The app is especially convenient for taxpayers who need to access transcripts on the go or who prefer using their mobile device for government services.

Other IRS2Go features:

• Check the status of your tax refund
• Make payments to the IRS
• Find free tax preparation assistance
• Get tax tips and updates
• Connect with the IRS via social media

The IRS2Go app is secure and uses the same encryption and security protocols as the IRS.gov website. Your transcript data is transmitted securely and is not stored on the app after you close it.

The app also includes a "Tax Withholding Estimator" tool to help you adjust your W-4 withholding. For a full estimate of your expected refund, use our tax refund calculator in conjunction with the data from your transcript.

Form 4506-T

Form 4506-T (Request for Transcript of Tax Return) is the official IRS form for requesting any of the five transcript types. This form is available on IRS.gov and can be submitted by mail or fax to the appropriate IRS processing center.

Form 4506-T vs Form 4506:

• Form 4506-T — Requests a free transcript (computer-generated summary). Available for current year + 3 prior years (6 years for Wage and Income transcripts)
• Form 4506 — Requests an actual copy of your filed tax return. Costs $43 per return. Available for current year + 6 prior years

How to complete and submit Form 4506-T:

1. Download Form 4506-T from IRS.gov (it is a fillable PDF)
2. Enter your personal information — name, SSN, address, and prior year address if changed
3. Select the transcript type by checking the appropriate box (Lines 6a through 8)
4. Enter the tax year(s) you need on Line 9
5. Choose your delivery preference — standard mail or fax (if you provide a fax number)
6. Sign and date the form (both spouses must sign for joint returns)
7. Mail or fax to the appropriate IRS address listed in the form instructions

Third-party requests: Form 4506-T is commonly used by third parties who need to verify your tax information, such as:

• Mortgage lenders verifying income for home loans
• Student loan servicers processing income-driven repayment plans
• Child support agencies verifying income
• Tax preparers preparing current year returns based on prior year data

When a third party requests your transcript using Form 4506-T, the transcript is mailed to the address on file with the IRS — not to the third party. You then provide the transcript to the third party yourself, or you can authorize the IRS to send it directly using specific form designations.

Form 4506-T-EZ: The IRS also offers a simplified version of the form, Form 4506-T-EZ, which can be used to request only the Tax Return Transcript. This shorter form requires less information and may be processed more quickly.

The 5 IRS Transcript Types Explained

The IRS provides five distinct types of tax transcripts, each serving a different purpose:

Tax Return Transcript: This is the most commonly requested transcript. It shows line-by-line data from your original tax return as filed. It includes all major entries from Form 1040 — wages, interest, dividends, business income, adjustments, deductions, credits, tax liability, payments, and refund amount. It does not show any changes made after you filed, such as amended returns or IRS adjustments.

Tax Account Transcript: This transcript shows basic information from your return (filing status, adjusted gross income, taxable income) plus a history of all transactions on your account after filing. This includes payments, refunds, penalties, interest, and any adjustments made by the IRS. It is the best transcript for checking your current account balance or tracking IRS correspondence.

Record of Account Transcript: This combines the Tax Return Transcript and Tax Account Transcript into one comprehensive document. It shows your original return data plus all subsequent account activity. It is the most complete picture of your tax situation for a given year.

Wage and Income Transcript: This transcript shows income reported to the IRS by third parties through information returns. It includes W-2 wage statements, 1099 forms (interest, dividends, self-employment, retirement, etc.), and 1098 forms (mortgage interest, student loan interest). This transcript is invaluable if you have lost your W-2 or 1099 forms and need to complete your tax return.

Verification of Non-Filing: This transcript simply confirms that the IRS has no record of a filed tax return for a specified year. It is commonly required for financial aid applications (FAFSA), student loan income-driven repayment plans, and certain benefit applications.

How to Read Each Transcript Type

IRS transcripts can be difficult to read because they use coded line references rather than the familiar Form 1040 line numbers. Understanding the format helps you extract the information you need.

Understanding Tax Return Transcript format:

• The transcript shows a series of lines labeled with codes like "1040-00-000-00000"
• Each line corresponds to a specific tax return field
• The first column shows the line description, the second column shows the dollar amount
• Common codes include: "Wages, salaries, tips, etc." (Line 1), "Taxable interest" (Line 2), "Adjusted Gross Income" (Line 11), "Standard deduction or itemized deductions" (Line 12), "Taxable income" (Line 15)
• Credits are listed as negative numbers or with specific line descriptions
• Payments and refunds appear at the bottom of the transcript

Understanding Tax Account Transcript format:

• Shows a transaction history with dates and codes
• Typical entries include: "Return filed" with date, "Payment received" with date, "Refund issued" with date
• Transaction codes (TC) indicate specific actions: TC 150 = return filed, TC 610 = payment, TC 846 = refund issued
• Each transaction shows the date, code, explanation, and amount
• The end of the transcript shows a summary including "Account Balance" (amount you owe) or "Overpayment" (amount to be refunded)

Understanding Wage and Income Transcript format:

• Lists each information return filed under your SSN
• Forms appear in order: W-2 forms first, then 1099 forms, then 1098 forms
• Each entry shows: payer name, account number, form type, and detailed fields
• W-2 entries show wages, tips, federal tax withheld, Social Security wages, Medicare wages
• 1099-INT shows interest income, 1099-DIV shows dividends, 1099-MISC/NEC shows contract work

Tips for reading transcripts:

• Look for "Return Transcript" at the top to confirm which type you received
• Check the "Tax Year" field to ensure you received the correct year
• If a line shows "None filed" or "No record of return filed," the IRS has not yet processed a return for that year
• Transactions on Account Transcripts are listed chronologically — look for the most recent entry first
• If you see "Adjustment" or "Examination" codes, the IRS has modified your return

If you need help preparing your current return based on transcript data, our tax refund calculator can help you estimate your refund once you have your income and withholding figures.

Ordering Transcripts by Phone (800-908-9946)

You can order IRS tax transcripts by phone through the IRS's automated phone system at 800-908-9946. This toll-free number is dedicated to transcript requests and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How to order by phone:

1. Call 800-908-9946 — the IRS automated transcript ordering line
2. Follow the prompts to enter your personal information:
   • Social Security number
   • Date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY)
   • Mailing address as shown on your most recent tax return
   • Filing status from your most recent return
3. Select the transcript type you need — Tax Return, Tax Account, or Wage and Income
4. Select the tax year(s) you need
5. Confirm the mailing address where the transcript will be sent

Important details about phone ordering:

• Transcripts are sent by mail only — no fax or email delivery via phone
• Delivery time is 5-10 calendar days from the request date
• You can order up to four (4) transcript types per call
• You can order transcripts for the current year and up to three prior years
• The phone system does not support ordering Verification of Non-Filing or Record of Account transcripts — use the online tool for these

The phone ordering system is automated and does not require speaking to an IRS representative. However, if you encounter problems, you can call the IRS main line at 800-829-1040 during business hours to speak with a representative about transcript issues.

Having your transcript information ready can help you more accurately use our tax refund calculator to estimate your refund for the current year.

Transcripts for Non-Filers

A Verification of Non-Filing (VNF) transcript is for taxpayers who need to prove that they did not file a federal income tax return for a specific year. This is commonly required for:

• FAFSA financial aid applications — The Department of Education may require proof that a parent or student did not file a return
• Student loan applications — Income-driven repayment plans may require verification of non-filing
• Medicaid and health insurance applications — Some benefit programs require income verification for non-filers
• Identity verification — Proving you did not file can help resolve identity theft issues
• Estate and trust administration — Estates may need to confirm that a deceased person did not have unfiled returns

How to get a Verification of Non-Filing transcript:

• Get Transcript Online — Select "Verification of Non-Filing" as the transcript type and choose the tax year. Available instantly after ID.me verification
• Mail or fax Form 4506-T — Check the box for "Verification of Non-Filing" on Line 7 of the form
• IRS2Go app — Select the Verification of Non-Filing option after logging in

A Verification of Non-Filing transcript will state: "No record of a filed Form 1040, 1040-A, or 1040-EZ for the tax year shown below." If a return was filed, the transcript will not be issued — you will instead need to request a Tax Return Transcript or Tax Account Transcript.

Non-filer transcripts are available for the current tax year and up to three prior years. If you never file a return, you can obtain a VNF transcript for each year you did not file.

If you have not filed a return but are required to, consider using our tax refund calculator to determine if you are owed a refund, and then file to claim it.

Transcripts for Amended Returns

If you filed an amended tax return using Form 1040-X, the transcript system reflects this differently than original returns. Understanding how amended returns appear on transcripts is important for tracking the status and knowing which transcript to request.

How amended returns appear on transcripts:

• Tax Return Transcript — Shows only the original return data, not the amended return. You must request the specific amended return transcript
• Tax Account Transcript — Shows the amended return as a transaction (Transaction Code 971 with explanation "Amended Return Filed" and Transaction Code 977 "Amended Return Completed")
• Record of Account Transcript — Shows original return data and the amended return adjustment

Getting an amended return transcript: To see the details of your Form 1040-X, request a Record of Account Transcript for the amended year. This will show the original return lines and the amended lines side by side.

Processing time for amended returns:

• The IRS typically takes 16-20 weeks to process Form 1040-X
• Amended returns processed electronically are generally faster than paper filings
• You can check the status of your amended return using the "Where's My Amended Return?" tool on IRS.gov
• The Tax Account Transcript will show the amended return transactions once processing is complete

Wage and Income Transcripts for amended years: If you amended your return because of missing income documents, the Wage and Income Transcript will still show the original information returns. The amended return itself does not change the Wage and Income data — it changes how you reported that income on your return.

If you need help estimating your tax situation after filing an amended return, use our tax refund calculator to model different scenarios.

Costs and Fees

Tax transcripts are free when ordered directly from the IRS. There is no charge for any of the five transcript types regardless of the method used to request them — online, by mail, by phone, or through the IRS2Go app.

Form 4506-T: Free — transcripts requested using Form 4506-T are provided at no cost.

Form 4506: $43 per return — this form requests an actual copy of your filed tax return (not a transcript). The $43 fee applies to each tax year requested. If you need an actual copy of your return (not a computer-generated summary), Form 4506 is the appropriate form.

Third-party transcript preparation services: Be aware that many commercial websites charge fees for obtaining IRS transcripts on your behalf. These services are not affiliated with the IRS and charge anywhere from $10 to $50 per transcript. Since transcripts are free from the IRS directly, there is no reason to use a paid service. Always go directly to IRS.gov to avoid unnecessary fees.

Expedited delivery: The IRS does not offer expedited or overnight transcript delivery. Whether you order online (instant) or by mail (5-10 days), there is no premium service available. Plan ahead when you need transcripts for mortgage closings, loan applications, or tax filing deadlines.

State transcripts: State tax transcripts are separate from federal transcripts and may have different costs and procedures. Check your state's department of revenue website for information on state transcript availability and fees.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

IRS transcript requests can encounter several common problems. Here is how to resolve them:

ID.me verification failure: If you cannot complete ID.me verification (e.g., no smartphone, no photo ID, or the system cannot verify your identity), use the Get Transcript by Mail option or call 800-908-9946. You can also visit an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) in person by scheduling an appointment.

Address mismatch: The IRS will only mail transcripts to the address on your most recently filed return. If you have moved, file Form 8822 (Change of Address) with the IRS first. Alternatively, use the online system to view and print transcripts instantly — no mailing required.

"No record of return" error: If the system shows no record of a filed return, possible reasons include: the return has not yet been processed (filing within the last 3-4 weeks), the return was filed under a different name or SSN, or the return was not received by the IRS. If you filed electronically, wait 3-4 weeks before checking.

Transcript not matching your records: If the transcript shows different amounts than what you filed, this may indicate an IRS adjustment or math error correction. Review the Tax Account Transcript for transaction codes. Contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 if you believe there is an error.

Phone system not recognizing information: The automated phone system at 800-908-9946 requires exact matching of the information on your latest return. If the system does not recognize you, try using the online system or request by mail.

"Identity theft" indicator on transcript: If your transcript shows "Identity Theft Victim" or includes an identity protection PIN (IP PIN), the IRS has flagged your account. Follow the instructions on the IRS website to resolve identity theft issues.

Spouse signature issues: For joint returns, both spouses must sign Form 4506-T unless one spouse has authorization from the other. If you are married but filing separately, only your signature is needed for your individual transcript.

If you encounter persistent issues, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 or schedule an appointment at your local Taxpayer Assistance Center. Our tax refund timeline guide can help you understand typical IRS processing times.

Transcripts for a Deceased Person

If you are the executor, administrator, or personal representative of a deceased person's estate, you can request their IRS tax transcripts. This may be necessary for settling the estate, filing final tax returns, or resolving tax issues.

How to request a transcript for a deceased person:

• File Form 4506-T with the following modifications:
  • Enter the deceased person's name and SSN in the taxpayer fields
  • Enter your name and address (as the representative) in the "Third Party Designee" section
  • Attach a copy of the death certificate
  • Attach proof of your authority to act on behalf of the estate (court appointment letter, will, or other documentation)
• Mail the request to the appropriate IRS processing center listed in the Form 4506-T instructions

What the IRS provides:

• Tax Return Transcript for the year of death and up to 3 prior years
• Tax Account Transcript for similar periods
• Wage and Income Transcript for the year of death and up to 6 prior years
• Verification of Non-Filing if the person did not file for certain years

Surviving spouse: A surviving spouse can request transcripts for a joint return by filing Form 4506-T with both names and their SSN, noting that one spouse is deceased. Submit a copy of the death certificate to verify.

Final return: The executor or personal representative is responsible for filing the deceased person's final Form 1040. Transcripts from prior years can help identify income sources, deductions, and credits needed to complete the final return accurately.

Form 56: If you are acting as a fiduciary for the estate, you may also need to file Form 56 (Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship) with the IRS to establish your legal authority.

If you are settling an estate, our tax refund calculator can help estimate any refund due on the final return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides

Continue learning about US taxes with these related resources: