Form 4506-T: How to Request a Tax Transcript
Published November 5, 2026
A tax transcript is a summary of information from your return or your IRS account. Sometimes you need one for a loan, a financial aid application, or your own records. Form 4506-T is the paper form that asks the IRS to send a transcript to you.
This guide is general information. It is not advice about your return. The form itself says the fastest way is often to use the online tool, so check that first.
Try the online options first
The form says the faster option is to use Get Transcript at IRS.gov, or to call 1-800-908-9946. The form lists the transcript types you can view online, such as a tax return transcript, a tax account transcript, and a record of account transcript.
Use Form 4506-T when you cannot get what you need online, or when the form is the right path for your situation.
What the transcript types cover
- Return transcript shows most line items of the return as filed, along with forms and schedules. It does not reflect later changes.
- Account transcript shows basic data, such as return type, marital status, adjusted gross income, taxable income, and payments.
- Record of account transcript combines the return and account transcripts. The form says to request this one if you are not sure which you need.
- Wage and income transcript shows data from information returns the IRS receives, such as Forms W-2, 1099, 1098, and 5498.
- Verification of nonfiling letter shows that the IRS has no record of a filed return for the year you request.
Return transcripts are available for the current year and for returns processed during the prior 3 processing years. The form says most requests are processed within 10 business days.
Lines to complete
- Line 1a and 1b show the name and taxpayer number on the return. If it was a joint return, enter the first name shown.
- Lines 2a and 2b are for the spouse on a joint return.
- Line 3 is your current address.
- Line 4 is the address on the last return filed, if it is different from line 3.
- Line 5 is an optional customer file number of up to 10 numeric characters. The form says it should not contain your Social Security number.
- Line 6 is the form number, such as 1040, and one transcript type. The form says to enter only one form number per request.
The IRS mails transcript requests only to your address of record, as the form explains. A different address on line 3 will not change where the transcript goes.
Signing and sending
The taxpayer named on line 1a or 2a must sign and date the form. You must check the box that confirms you have authority to sign and request the information. If the box is not checked, the form will not be processed.
If someone other than the taxpayer signs, such as a corporate officer, partner, executor, or trustee, the form says that person certifies they have authority to sign for the taxpayer.
The form says the IRS must receive it within 120 days of the signature date. Mail or fax the form to the address for the state you lived in when that return was filed. The form includes two address charts, one for individual transcripts and one for other transcripts.
A note on copies of your return
If you want a copy of the actual return, not a transcript, the form's tip says to use Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return.
Next steps
If you are not sure what a transcript contains, read our guide to what a tax transcript is before you request one. Keep the transcript with your tax records once it arrives.
Sources: Sources: IRS, Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return (April 2025) (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506t.pdf); Get Transcript information on the form This is general information, not advice about your specific return.
