How to Get a Copy of Your Tax Transcript from the IRS

What a tax transcript is and which one you need

A tax transcript is an official IRS document that shows your tax return information for a specific year. It is not the same as your original tax return — it is a summary printed or sent by the IRS itself, which makes it acceptable proof to banks, landlords, employers, and government agencies that your return was filed and what it contained.

The IRS produces four different transcripts, and you need to know which one before you request it. The Account Transcript shows your filing status, income, and tax paid for the year. The Record of Account Transcript includes the same information plus any changes the IRS made after you filed. The Verification of Non-Filing Transcript proves you did not file for a specific year — useful if you need to show you had no tax obligation. The Tax Return Transcript is a line-by-line copy of what you actually filed and is the one most people need for loans, mortgages, or rental applications.

Ask whoever requested the transcript which one they need. Most will accept an Account Transcript or Tax Return Transcript. If they do not specify, the Tax Return Transcript is the safest choice because it contains the most detail.

Key Takeaways

The IRS offers four types of transcripts: Account, Record of Account, Verification of Non-Filing, and Tax Return, and you should confirm which one is actually needed before requesting.
You can order transcripts online through IRS.gov without creating an account, by phone at 1-800-908-9946, by mail using Form 4506-C, or by visiting a local IRS office in person.
Online orders arrive by mail in 5 to 10 business days; phone orders take 7 to 10 business days; mail requests take 30 days or longer depending on IRS processing volume.
You will need your Social Security number, the tax year you are requesting, and your current mailing address; the IRS will not email transcripts or send them to a third party without your written authorization.
If you filed jointly, only the primary taxpayer (the one listed first on the return) can order the transcript unless the secondary spouse has a separate IRS account.

Ordering online through IRS.gov

The fastest and easiest route for most people is the IRS online transcript ordering system at irs.gov/transcripts. You do not need to create an account or log in. Go to the "Get Transcript Online" option and select the tax year you need. The system will ask for your Social Security number, date of birth, filing status for that year, and current mailing address. It takes about five minutes.

After you submit, the IRS mails the transcript to the address on file. Delivery takes 5 to 10 business days. You will receive a confirmation number on screen — write it down in case you need to check the status later. This method works if you filed a return for the year you are requesting and your address has not changed drastically since you filed.

If the online system rejects your information, it usually means the IRS records do not match what you entered — often because your address changed or the IRS has not yet processed your return. In that case, use the phone or mail method instead.

Ordering by phone

Call the IRS Transcript Hotline at 1-800-908-9946. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, filing status, and current mailing address ready. The automated system will walk you through selecting the transcript type and tax year. You do not need to speak to a person unless something goes wrong.

Phone orders take 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail. You will receive a confirmation number at the end of the call. The hotline is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. If you call outside those hours, the automated system will still accept your order.

Ordering by mail using Form 4506-C

If you need the transcript urgently or prefer a paper trail, you can mail a request using Form 4506-C (Request for Transcript of Tax Return). read it from irs.gov or call 1-800-829-3676 to have it mailed to you. Fill in your name, Social Security number, address, the tax year, and which transcript type you need. Sign and date it.

Mail the form to the IRS address for your state. The IRS website lists the correct address by state on the Form 4506-C instructions page. Processing takes 30 days or longer depending on how busy the IRS is. This method is slower but useful if you want a certified copy or if you are requesting transcripts for multiple years at once.

If you filed jointly and your spouse needs their own copy, they must submit a separate request with their own signature. The IRS will not send a joint transcript to one spouse unless that spouse is the primary taxpayer on the return.

Getting a transcript sent to a third party

Banks, mortgage lenders, and landlords sometimes ask you to have the IRS send the transcript directly to them. The IRS will not do this automatically — you have to authorize it in writing. The easiest way is to use Form 4506-C-Z (Verification of Non-Filing and Third Party Transcript Request), which lets you specify a recipient's name and address on the form itself.

read Form 4506-C-Z from irs.gov, fill it out with your information and the third party's details, sign it, and mail it to the IRS address for your state. The IRS will send the transcript directly to that address. This takes 30 days or longer. Some lenders and landlords will accept a transcript you print yourself from the online system instead, so ask first before going through the third-party route.

What to do if you cannot find your information

If the online system rejects your information or you do not remember your filing status for the year you need, try the phone line first. The automated system is more flexible than the online form and can sometimes retrieve your record even when the website cannot. If the phone system also fails, your return may not be in the IRS database yet — returns take 21 days to process after filing, longer during tax season.

If you filed more than seven years ago and the IRS has no record, the transcript may not be available. The IRS keeps transcripts for most returns indefinitely, but very old records are sometimes archived. Call 1-800-908-9946 and explain the situation; a representative can check whether the record exists and how to retrieve it.

If you need a transcript for a year you did not file, request a Verification of Non-Filing Transcript instead. This proves to a lender or agency that you had no tax obligation that year.

Transcript fees and delivery options

The IRS does not charge for transcripts ordered online, by phone, or by mail. There is no fee regardless of how many years you request or which type you need. Some third-party websites claim to offer faster transcript delivery for a fee — do not use them. The IRS does not partner with these services, and you will pay money for something you can get free directly from the IRS.

The IRS offers no expedited delivery option. All transcripts arrive by standard mail. If you need a transcript the same day, you cannot get one — the fastest route is online or phone, which takes 5 to 10 business days. If a lender or agency says they need it faster, ask whether they will accept a copy of your filed return instead, which you may have in your own records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a transcript if I filed my taxes through a tax preparation service like H&R Block or TurboTax?

Yes. The transcript comes from the IRS, not from the tax preparation service. It does not matter who prepared your return — once the IRS receives and processes it, you can order a transcript using any of the methods above. Your tax preparer cannot order it for you unless you give them written authorization, which most will not do.

What if I filed jointly with my spouse and we are now divorced?

Only the primary taxpayer (the one listed first on the return) can order the transcript without the other spouse's permission. If you were the secondary spouse, you will need to contact the IRS directly at 1-800-908-9946 and explain the situation. The IRS may require proof of divorce or a court order before releasing the transcript to you.

How long does the IRS keep transcripts?

The IRS keeps transcripts for most returns indefinitely, but you can reliably order transcripts for the past seven years. Older transcripts may be available but take longer to retrieve. If you need a transcript older than seven years, call 1-800-908-9946 and ask whether it is available.

Can the IRS email me a transcript or send it to my bank directly?

The IRS does not email transcripts. All transcripts arrive by mail to the address you provide. If you want it sent to a third party like a bank or landlord, use Form 4506-C-Z and mail it to the IRS. Many lenders will accept a transcript you print yourself from the online system instead, which is faster.

What if I need a transcript but I have not filed a return for that year?

If you did not file, you cannot get a Tax Return Transcript. Instead, request a Verification of Non-Filing Transcript, which proves to lenders and agencies that you had no tax obligation that year. Use the same ordering methods — online, phone, or mail.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.