What Is a Tax Transcript, and Do You Need One?

A tax transcript is a record of the information the IRS has about your tax return. It is not a copy of your return. People use transcripts to prove income, to check what the IRS has on file, and to answer lenders, schools, or agencies that ask for one.

Transcript or copy: which one do you need?

People often mix these up. A transcript shows selected lines from your return and your account. A copy is the full return as you filed it. The IRS says a transcript is not a photocopy of your return. If you need a copy, you ask for one on Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return. Check that form for the fee and processing time before you send it.

The five transcript types

• Tax return transcript. Shows most lines from your original Form 1040-series return, with its forms and schedules. It does not show changes made after you filed. It is available for the current year and three prior years. Mortgage lenders often accept this type.
• Tax account transcript. Shows basic items such as filing status, taxable income, and payment types. It does show changes made after you filed. Online, it covers the current year and nine prior years. By mail or phone, it covers the current year and three prior years.
• Record of account transcript. Combines the tax return transcript and the tax account transcript into one. It is available for the current year and three prior years.
• Wage and income transcript. Shows income data the IRS received from information returns, such as Forms W-2, 1098, 1099, and 5498. It is available for the current year and nine prior years.
• Verification of non-filing letter. States that the IRS has no record of a processed Form 1040-series return for that year. It does not say whether you were required to file. The current-year letter is not available until June 15.

How to get one

• Individual Online Account. This is the fastest option. You can view, print, or download every transcript type listed above.
• Get transcript by mail or by phone. You can order a tax return transcript or a tax account transcript. The automated phone line is 800-908-9946. Allow 5 to 10 calendar days for delivery.
• Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return. You can request any type on this form, including older years that are not available online.

The transcript services run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can use them from outside the United States. The online account and phone service are available in Spanish, but the transcripts themselves are in English.

Common problems

• The wage and income transcript will not generate online. The online tool is limited to about 85 income documents. If you have more, submit Form 4506-T.
• "No record of return filed" for the current year. The information may not have posted yet. Current-year income data usually appears in early February. Check back then.
• Your address does not match. Get transcript by mail will not work with an old address. Use the exact address from your latest return. If you moved, file Form 8822, Change of Address, first. The IRS says a change generally takes four to six weeks to process.
• The figures look wrong. A tax return transcript shows your original figures as "per return" and any IRS corrections as "per computer." If you filed an amended return, or the IRS adjusted your account later, request a record of account transcript.

Who can request it?

The IRS says these services are for taxpayers to get their own transcripts. A company or a preparer may not use them on your behalf. If you filed jointly, the secondary taxpayer can request any type that is available.

Does a transcript show my refund?

No. For refund status, use Where's My Refund? The IRS says transcripts are most often used to confirm past income and filing status, for example for a mortgage or another loan application. See also Where Is My Refund? The IRS Timeline.

What to do next

1. Decide whether you need a transcript or a copy of your return.
2. If a lender or school asks for a transcript, ask which type they need.
3. Register for an Individual Online Account, or use Form 4506-T for older years.

This page is general information, not advice for your return. To see how the transcript reports your income, read What Is AGI?

Sources: IRS: Transcript types for individuals and ways to order them (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/transcript-types-for-individuals-and-ways-to-order-them); IRS: Transcript services for individuals, FAQs (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/transcript-services-for-individuals-faqs); IRS: Get your tax records and transcripts (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript); IRS: Tax transcripts, know the different types and how to get them (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-transcripts-know-the-different-types-and-how-to-get-them); IRS: Form 4506-T (https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-4506-t); IRS: Form 4506 (https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-4506); IRS: Form 8822 (https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8822) This is general information, not advice about your specific return.

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