The document provides a comprehensive FAQ about federal tax transcripts issued by the IRS, detailing what they are, their types, and how they can be obtained. It explains that tax transcripts are not copies of tax returns but rather data tables reflecting one's tax situation, available through various methods. Additionally, it outlines who typically requests transcripts and clarifies that obtaining them is free, while obtaining actual tax return copies incurs a fee.

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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