Article: 50110

What Is an IRS Transcript?

An IRS Transcript is a record, provided by the IRS, of your previously filed – and accepted – federal income tax returns. While it is not in the same format as your federal income tax return, listing information rather than presenting it in individual forms, a standard IRS transcript does contain all the following information:

• The last four digits of any SSN: XXX-XX-1234
• The last four digits of any EIN: XX-XXX4321
• The last four digits of any account or telephone number
• The first four characters of the first and last name for any individual (first three characters if the name has only four letters)
• The first four characters of any name on the business name line (first three characters if the name has only four letters)
• The first six characters of the street address, including spaces
• All money amounts, including wage and income, balance due, interest and penalties

Should the full range of data be required, Unmasked Wage and Income transcripts (available upon request) also fully display personally identifiable information such as the taxpayer’s name, address, and Social Security number along with the employer’s name, address, and Employer Identification number.

Why Request an IRS Transcript?

IRS transcripts can be used for a number of reasons, many of which overlap with the use of a traditional copy of your return. These include income verification, loan and mortgage applications, tax preparation (particularly the previous year’s AGI, which is essential for e-filing), financial aid applications, etc.

In short, IRS transcripts are requested when original return copies aren’t available, to provide a record of the data that was filed with the original return.

How to Request an IRS Transcript

There are three methods available for requesting an IRS Transcript, each of which is described in further detail on the IRS Transcript site:

1. Online through your ID.me account
   • This is the quickest way to access your information, as you can immediately access your transcript, and other essential information, directly from the site.
2. By Mail (Method 1)
   • Through the IRS Transcript site, you can also request to have your transcript mailed to you. By providing the mailing address from the return that you are trying to have transcribed, along with some of your personal information (SSN, DOB, etc.), the IRS will mail a copy of your transcript to you.
   • Transcripts will arrive in 5 to 10 calendar days at the address the IRS has on file for you.
3. By Mail (Method 2)
   • You can also request a mailed copy of your transcript using the IRS’s automated phone transcript service at 1 (800) 908-9946.

Additional Information

For further information about IRS transcripts, please visit the IRS Transcript site and/or the IRS Transcript services for individuals – FAQs page.