How to get a copy of your IRS Transcript

In some circumstances, it may be necessary for you to get a copy of your transcript from the IRS.  This may be needed to obtain information that has been reported to (or by) the IRS.  There are several types of transcripts available:
  • Tax Account Transcript.  This transcript shows basic data such as return type, marital status, adjusted gross income, taxable income and all payments and refunds issued.  It also shows changes made after the filing of the original return.    
  • Tax Return Transcript.  This transcript shows most line items including AGI from an original tax return (Form 1040) as filed, along with any forms and schedules. It doesn’t show changes made after the filing of the original return. This transcript is only available for the current tax year and returns processed during the prior three years. A tax return transcript usually meets the needs of lending institutions offering mortgages and student loans.
  • Wage and Income Transcript.  This transcript shows data from information that was furnished directly to the IRS from third parties, such as employers (Form W-2), banks and brokers (Form 1099), mortgage lenders (Form 1098), and retirement account transactions (Form 1099-R).   This report can be used in circumstances that you did not receive a copy of the tax form or have misplaced it.  

Your tax preparer will advise you of the transcript(s) we need.  If unsure, download all three transcripts and provide them to us.  ​​

For your security, the IRS has a rigorous identity verification procedure to create an account.  If you don't yet have an IRS account, we encourage you to read through the troubleshooting section below before creating an account!  This can help you avoid many common data entry errors that cause IRS rejection messages! 

Click the button below to go to the IRS taxpayer account transcript website

Troubleshooting Account Verification Errors

If you have issues registering or logging in to IRS online services, try the steps below.

​Your personal information and mailing address 
Enter the address listed on your most recently filed tax return. Make sure the address you enter exactly matches how it appears on your tax return.
  • If you recently moved:
    Enter the address from the last return you filed, even if it’s not your current address. 
  • If you just filed a tax return with a new address:
    Try entering your old address instead. 
  • If you recently filed your first tax return:
    Select the radio button labeled 'I have not filed a tax return in the past seven years' from the ‘Filing Status’ options, if available.
  • If you are known and addressed by a single legal name or mononym:
    Please enter a hyphen (-) in the first name field and your name in the last name field. If your legal document lists “FNU”, First Name Unknown, as your first name you may need to enter “FNU” instead of “-” as your first name.
Format PO Box, foreign and military addresses as follows:
  • PO Box
    In the ‘Address Line 1’ field, enter ‘PO Box’ without periods and the number.
  • Foreign Address
    Enter your city, county, or other jurisdiction in the ‘City’ field. There’s no field for Zip/Postal code. 
  • Military Address
    Enter APO, FPO or DPO in the ‘City’ field. Select AA, AE, or AP from the ‘State/U.S. Territory’ field.

Your financial account number 
The IRS uses Experian, a credit reporting company, to validate your financial account number. If you have issues:
  • Make sure you enter the correct financial account number.
  • Try entering a different account type:
    • Credit card – last 8 digits (don’t use American Express, debit or corporate cards)
    • Student loan– (Enter the student loan account number provided on your statement. The account number may contain both numbers and letters. Do not include any symbols.) Additionally, we can't verify student loans issued by Nelnet.
    • Home mortgage loan
    • Home equity (second mortgage) loan
    • Home equity line of credit (HELOC)
    • Auto loan
The IRS may not be able to verify all financial account numbers.

Your cell phone 
The fastest way to verify your identity is with a mobile phone number associated with your name. The phone must be U.S.-based and text-enabled. The IRS will send a one-time activation code to your mobile phone number. Once you receive it, you have 10 minutes to use it. Note: The IRS may not be able to verify all mobile phone numbers.
  • If you don’t have a U.S.-based mobile phone number associated with your name:
    You can opt to receive an activation code by mail when you register for an online services account. Allow 10 business days for delivery. This one-time code will allow you to create your account, and is valid for 30 days. You can then:
    • Download the IRS2Go mobile app to generate the security code needed each time you log in to your account. IRS2Go is free and available for Android devices, iPhones, iPads and Amazon Fire tablets; or
    • Receive a security code via phone call to a U.S.-based phone number each time you log in
  • If your mobile phone is in a family member’s name:
    You can attempt to sign up using mobile phone verification.  If your phone can’t be verified, you may be able to request an activation code by mail.

Receive an activation code by mail 
​You can register for online services without a cell phone:
  • Follow the steps to register for an online services account.
  • In the step for mobile phone verification, select 'Receive an activation code by postal mail.'
  • Allow 10 business days for the code to arrive by mail. The code is valid for 30 days.
  • Follow the instructions included with the code to complete registration
This one-time code will allow you to create your account. You can then:
  • Download the IRS2Go mobile app to generate the security code needed each time you log in to your account. IRS2Go is free and available for Android devices, iPhones, iPads and Amazon Fire tablets; or
  • Receive a security code via phone call to any U.S.-based phone number each time you log in
​