Frequently asked questions about tax transcript documents IRS issues to interested parties. This slide-show will tell you what is a tax transcript, why it may be more convenient to use it than copies of your tax returns, and what you need to do to get yours.

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Tax Transcripts FAQ
All the basics you wanted to ask …for free.

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What is a federal tax transcript?
● It is a document issued
by the Internal Revenue
Service of the United
States.
● It contains what IRS
knows about your tax
situation.

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What does a tax transcript look like?
● It is a table of data, no
more, no less.
● Its length varies, but a
transcript is five pages
long, average.
● Note: the one on the
right is not an example.

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How many types of transcripts are there?
● Tax Return Transcript
(your tax returns, schedules and adjusted gross income)
● Tax Account Transcript
(your taxpayer information, updates and amendments, and your adjusted
gross income)
● Record of Account Transcript
(your tax return transcript and tax account transcript in one document)
● Wage and Income Transcript
(your W-2 forms and the like)
● Verification of Non-filing Letter
(a proof that you didn't file a tax return a specific year)

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Are transcripts copies of my tax returns?
● No, they are not. They are a long table of data that
includes the information you filed but in raw format.
● The main difference between your tax transcripts
and your tax returns is that, unlike your tax returns,
a tax transcript is a document issued by an
authority. Therefore, it is more convenient for
several steps and procedures.

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When are your tax transcripts available?
Itdepends… Youdidnotowetaxesoryoupaidinfullwhen
filing
Youpaidlate Youhavenotpaidyet
Youfiledonline About2or3weeksafteryoufiled About4weeksafteryoupaid InlateMay
Youfiledonpaper Betweensixandeightweeksafteryoufiled InlateJune

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What if I amended my tax return?
You need a tax account transcript,
as it shows any changes and amendments
you made after filing your tax return.

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Who asks for tax transcripts?
Organizations that wish to verify your income.
For example:
● Banks
● Colleges or universities (FASFA)
● Immigration officers (USCIS)

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Who asks for tax transcripts?
Professionals who need this information to work
and help you with your tax situation:
● Certified Public Accountants
● Enrolled Agents
● Tax Attorneys
● Specialists in Bankruptcy

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How do you get your tax transcripts?
There are three options available for citizens:
– Online
– By mail
– By phone
…and one additional option for tax professionals:
– Requesting them using your e-Services account

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To get your transcripts online
Register on IRS website with your…
● Your Social Security Number
● Your date of birth
● Filing status and mailing address of your latest tax return
● An e-mail address you can access to
● A personal account number from a credit card, mortgage, home equity
loan, home equity line of credit or car loan
● A mobile phone to your name
You will get a user name and password. Use them to view,
download and print your transcripts.

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To order transcripts by mail or by phone
Call 800-908-9946 or visit IRS website with:
● Your Social Security or Individual Tax Identification
Numbers (SSN or ITIN)
● Your date of birth
● The mailing address from your latest tax return
You will get your transcripts in between five and ten
days.

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How can a tax professional order transcripts?
Use PitBullTax Transcripts.
In short, this software will connect your e-Services
account with IRS servers so you can order and
download as many tax transcripts you need from your
clients in a matter of minutes.

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How much does getting your tax transcripts cost?
Getting your tax transcripts is free.
Getting a copy of your tax returns has a fee.

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What happens if I need the tax transcripts of a
deceased person?
First, you need to prove IRS that you have the
authority to act on the deceased person behalf. Then
you can request one using form 4506-T.

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This slide-show is based on the what was
originally published on Tax Transcripts FAQ.
Version 1. July 2018